Gold is one of the rarest elements on Earth, so no wonder gold bullion coins have always had this magnetic pull for investors and collectors. These coins aren’t just shiny bits of history; they’re also serious stores of value.

But here’s the thing: With so many options out there, choosing the right gold coin can feel overwhelming.

That’s why I put this guide together: to give you a clear, in-depth breakdown of the best gold bullion coins, how they compare, and what makes them worth your money. From legendary Krugerrands to elegant Maple Leafs, we’ll look at the top 10 coins people invest in, plus some tips to help you pick the perfect one for your collection or portfolio.

Let’s dive in and make gold investing a little less intimidating.

A General Overview Of Gold Coins

Gold has been a universal symbol of prosperity and riches since the dawn of time. This precious metal was treasured by many ancient civilizations and regarded as an indicator of wealth and power thanks to its splendor and rarity. Gold was used to make jewelry, ornaments, and early currency. 

Even though the majority of monetary systems in the modern era are no longer subject to a gold standard, this metal is still regarded as a form of insurance against fiat money, which depends on belief to maintain its relative values. 

Unlike fiat currencies, gold has a limited quantity that cannot be expanded artificially, hence it has retained its intrinsic value. For those looking for risk dispersion and portfolio diversification, gold coins have become an alluring prospect due to their attractiveness. 

Numerous countries are now issuing uncirculated gold coins. All of them are legal tender, but their meltdown value is far more than their face value. Market values for many numismatic/collectible gold coins are significantly greater. Collectors are drawn to the potential of increased values predicated upon the rarity, uniqueness, and overall demand of the gold coins they purchase.  

It’s simple to purchase freshly minted coins, and the government mints guarantee their purity. To suit both big and small investors, a few of these coins come in a variety of sizes. 

However, many investors choose old coins as they worry about a government seizure of precious metals and believe that collectible coins would be exempt, as they were in the past. 

10 Most Popular Gold Bullion Coins To Buy Today

Because of their history, mintage, and the fact that many of them were once used as currency and are no longer in circulation, gold bullion coins are considered more valuable than gold bars. Additionally, several gold coins have been produced to commemorate special one-time occasions, which increases their desirability and collectability.  

There are various grades of gold bullion coins. Some coins are 24-karat, meaning they are .999 pure gold, while others are 22-karat. Among the numerous popular gold coins, a few consistently top the list of desirability. 

Here are my top ten picks for gold bullion coins in no particular order of preference – 

1. South African Gold Krugerrand

The South African Krugerrand is recognized as the first gold bullion coin of the modern era. It was first produced in 1967, but sales were slow during the initial decade since the US had banned the ownership of gold bullion at the time. However, at the beginning of the 1980s, almost 80% of investors who held gold bullion coins possessed “Krugs. 

Details And Features Of The Gold Krugerrand

The name of the coin was derived by incorporating “Kruger” – the surname of the South African Republic’s first Boer president—and “Rand” – the name of the national currency. The obverse of the coin portrays Paul Kruger, and the reverse depicts the springbok antelope, South Africa’s famed national symbol. 

Although some buyers would disagree and say it isn’t as detailed as other, more intricate gold coin designs/reliefs, this simplistic design has been around since 1967 and has shown longevity in the investment marketplace.

In 1980, the country’s government started making Krugs in weights of 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz along with the usual one-ounce size. The Gold Krugerrand contains .9167 pure gold and an alloy containing 8.33% copper to increase the durability and strength of gold. 

More than 50 million ounces of Gold Krugerrands have been sold overall by the South African Mint. Compared to all other 1-ounce gold coins on the market, more Krugerrand coins have been purchased historically. Both seasoned investors and first-time buyers are recommended to opt for it as a fantastic investment, and it is typically liquid on open markets around the world. 

2. American Gold Eagle

1986 saw the first flight of the American Gold Eagle. Since then, it has grown to be one of the most sought-after bullion coins worldwide. 

Although American Gold Eagle bullion coins carry a relatively hefty premium, US citizens’ eagerness to buy gold coins minted within the United States keeps these coins on my list of ‘Most Popular’ consistently year after year. 

Details And Features Of The American Gold Eagle

Based on Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ renowned design, the Gold American Eagle perfectly captures the essence of the USA and is easily recognizable around the globe. Fashioned after the incredibly famous classic American Double Eagle gold coins minted between 1908 and 1933, The American Gold Eagle coins depict the image of a Lady Liberty striding in front of the sun on the obverse with a glorious American Eagle on the reverse. 

This coin comes in four different fractional weight sizes to fit any budget, and all have their Proof versions. Gold Eagles are 91.67 percent pure gold, which is 22-karat. The sizes are – one-ounce stamped with a legal tender/ face value of $50, half-ounce with $25, quarter-ounce with $10, and tenth-ounce with $5 formats. 

Gold Eagle serves as the only 22-karat coin eligible to be kept in retirement accounts, while its Proof versions are the only collectors’ coins that can be bought with funds from retirement accounts. 

3. American Gold Buffalo

Gold Buffalo coins were first produced by the US Mint in 2006, since then, they have sold out remarkably well. These are the first-ever 24-karat, .9999 fine gold coins produced by the United States Mint. 

When compared to other cleaning gold coins, these are among the ones with the lowest premium over spot value. 

Details And Features Of Gold Buffalo

The American Gold Buffalo is a stunning coin that has gained enormous popularity, primarily due to James Earle Fraser’s iconic 1913 Buffalo Nickel being recreated in its design. The coin pays tribute to classic US coins like the Indian Head gold coin and the Buffalo nickel by showcasing a Native American on one side and an American buffalo on the other. 

Gold buffalo is produced in four different weights and comes in both bullion and proof varieties. To mark the 100th anniversary of Fraser’s original Buffalo Nickel design, a reverse proof striking was added to the 2013 Gold Buffalo Proof coins. 

Also, in 2008, only three years into the coin’s production, there was a special mintage. The  Gold Buffalo is typically minted each year, but in 2008 only, a few fractional-weight coins were produced. In addition to the 1/4 ounce Burnished Gold Buffalo from 2008-W, the US Mint also minted 1/10 ounce and 1/2 ounce coins for collectors. 

4. Chinese Panda

Since 1982, the Chinese Gold Panda has been produced by the People’s Republic of China’s Official Mint. This gold series has dominated the offerings of Asian-origin bullion coins over the years. 

To better accommodate the coins’ global appeal, China started producing the Gold Panda in metric system weights in 2016. The troy-ounce sizes from earlier series were replaced by gram sizes. 

Description And Features Of The Gold Panda

Standard sizes for these coins are 30 grams, 15 grams, 8 grams, 3 grams, and 1 gram. Apart from that, there are also larger sizes, such as gram equivalents of 5 ounces, 12 ounces, and 1 kilogram. 

Gold Pandas are 24-karat/.999 pure gold. A few Chinese mints produce these bullion coins, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Shenyang.

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest in Beijing’s Temple of Heaven is depicted on the obverse of the Gold Panda coin. The reverse design varies every year, unlike many other gold bullion coins. Even though it changes every year, the reverse always features the panda, a rare but well-known, cute animal that lives in China. 

The panda featured in this piece, which is adored all over the world for its unusual coloring, spontaneous appearance, meek demeanor, and innocence, lends the Gold Panda series an adorable charm. 

5. Vienna Gold Philharmonic

The most well gold bullion coin in all of Europe is created as a tribute to the legendary Austrian Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. It was also the first gold bullion coin to be issued in euros.

The Vienna Philharmonic has been minted by the Austrian Mint, a division of the Oesterreichische National Bank, since 1989. 

Description And Features Of The Vienna Gold Philharmonic

The Philharmonic is minted in 24 karat/ .999 pure gold. It comes in sizes of 1 oz, 0.5 oz, 0.25 oz, and 0.1 oz, with faces denominated in euros at 100, 50, 25, and 10 respectively. 

The reverse of the coin displays the Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein, while the obverse features a variety of orchestral instruments. These coins are VAT-free and considered a lucrative investment as well as a popular collectible worldwide.   

6. Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

Since the country’s days as a British colony, the Royal Canadian Mint possesses an extensive history of striking coins. The Canadian Maple, which was introduced in 1979 as a Krugerrand rival, has grown in popularity because of its high purity and premium finish. 

The Canadian government usually issues this beautiful bullion coin annually. 

Description And Features Of Gold Maple Leaf

The Canadian Maple, one of the finest gold coins obtainable at 999.9 purity, weighs exactly one troy ounce. It has a face value of 50 Canadian Dollars. 

As its name implies, this gold coin is designed to embody the well-known Maple Leaf associated with Canada. The coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and the iconic maple leaf on the reverse. 

The standard edition of the coin weighs 31.10 grams, which is equal to one troy ounce. Other weights available are 1 oz, 1/25 oz, 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/2 oz.

The Canadian Maple Leaf is essentially a gold bullion investor’s domain. After all, it was the first regularly produced .999 pure gold coin in history. Nevertheless, many of these attractive gold bullion coins are minted in numismatic formats such as proof coins and collectors also have a strong interest in them.   

7. Australian Gold Kangaroo

Early in 1987, the Gold Corp, an organization owned by the Western Australian Government, first issued the Australian Kangaroo, which was intended to serve as the country’s legal tender. Nevertheless, this coin continues to be popular with investors and collectors all around the world. 

Description And Features Of The Gold Kangaroo

It is made with a distinctive two-tone finish and a yearly changing design. In the 2022 edition, the marsupial known for its extended hind legs is depicted with its joey leaping across a level, grassy landscape with hills on the horizon. 

The coin is pure 24-karat gold. It comes in a variety of sizes and is typically issued in 1oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, and 1/20 oz with a face value denominated in the Australian dollar. 

8. British Gold Britannia

One of the loveliest British coins, it has a fantastic charm. For individuals looking to invest in bullion coins, the coin’s exquisite stature places it as the top choice.

It is well established that the coin offers a lucrative investment opportunity. However, the majority of the proofs are only provided in sets, which implies that those that are may be expensive. 

Description And Features Of Gold Britannia

From 1987 through 2012, the coin was 22-karat, .9167 fine gold with a copper alloy in its initial two years. The following was the 23-karat with silver.

The gold coins included in 2013 are 24-karat and normally contain 1 oz 999.99 fine gold. Nevertheless, the British Britannia has a whole troy ounce of gold in it.

With a face value of 50, 25, and 10 pounds, Gold Britannias are available in 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz sizes respectively. The reverse of this coin displays Lady Britannia, an iconic and traditional British national symbol.

The 2014 Horse Privy Britannia was introduced as part of the Gold Britain Coin Series to cast a spotlight on the anniversary year. Eight engraved galloping horses are seen along the rim of each coin. In light of this, just one or perhaps two would cost you almost $100. The price could drop to $90 over the spot though if you can purchase 20 or more. 

9. Mexican Gold Libertad

One of the earliest modern bullion coins available in a variety of fractional weights is Mexico’s Gold Libertad. The coin was introduced in 1981.

The Mexican Gold Libertad is special because it is the only gold coin ever produced that has no face value etched on it and yet is nonetheless accepted as legal tender. 

Description And Features Of Gold Libertad

This breathtaking gold coin, which is .999 fine, has a design that is similar to the celebrated Centenario 50-peso gold coin. The National Shield is depicted in exquisite detail on the obverse of the coin, which is surrounded by miniature illustrations of the country’s different historic coats of arms.

The Libertad’s reverse, however, is a magnificent piece of art. It shows the Winged Victory statue, one of Mexico’s most revered national emblems, against a backdrop of the Popocatépetl volcano and the mountain Iztacchuatl. The Gold Libertad Coin is a sought-after item in any collection because of its iconic design and limited mintage.

The 1 oz Gold Libertad coin has gained popularity since it was first introduced. It is struck by La Casa De Moneda De México, one of the oldest mints in North America. In addition to the more common 1 oz size, these gorgeous gold coins are also minted in fractional weights of 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, and 1/20 oz. 

10. Gold Sovereign Coins

Certain semi-numismatic coins are in high demand not just from bullion investors, but also from coin collectors eager to add a rare or unusual coin to their collection. Due to the increased demand for these coins, their prices are frequently inflated.

Henry VII introduced the sovereign, a very well-known English gold coin, in 1489. Coinage was reinstated in 1817 and served as a payment method in Great Britain until 1917. Since 1957, it has once again been minted as a bullion coin, and it is incredibly popular outside of the United Kingdom as well. 

Description And Features Of Gold Sovereigns

The Sovereign’s timeless look hasn’t undergone much change since it was first produced. Designed by Benedetto Pistrucci, the sovereign’s obverse portrays the reigning monarch, and the reverse shows Saint George slaying the dragon.

The sovereign is available as a £1 gold coin that weighs 7.98 grams and a £1/2 gold coin that weighs 3.99 grams – both have a purity of 916.67/1000. Additionally, there are variants of the £2 and £5 sovereigns, though these were typically distributed in coin grading sets. 

Bottom Line

Today’s market offers hundreds of different gold bullion coins, but understand that just because a coin is popular doesn’t really mean it is always a suitable investment.

If you are a bullion investor or a collector interested in buying, selling, or swapping your collection, do your research first or get guidance from a reputable and experienced dealer before taking action. 

FAQs

What Is The Most Famous Gold Coin?

There is no straight, simple single name to answer this question. There are multiple gold coins available throughout history that are equally famous and popular among people. Some are –  the American Gold Eagle, American Gold Buffalo, British Sovereigns, Krugerrand, Britannia, Maple Leaf, etc. 

How Many Ounces Of Gold Should I Own?

Investors who are enthusiastic about the risk they perceive in the economy sometimes find this question to be an emotionally charged subject. As a result, there is no definitive response to that query.

Some financial experts advise holding 5% to 10% of your savings and investments in gold bullion. Some people advise 10% to 20% (home equity not included). 

Measuring the percentage of global financial assets that gold bullion represents is another intriguing method for determining the amount of gold you should deploy to your investment portfolio. 

The World Gold Council estimates that the total market value of all gold ever mined is somewhere in the vicinity of $7.5 trillion. This amounts to around 4% of the total value of the world markets for stocks, bonds, and gold. When choosing the default ratio to gold in your portfolio, this 4% serves as a decent starting point. 

Is It Better To Buy Gold Bars Or Coins? 

There are various considerations that affect the choice between gold bullion bars and coins.

Gold bars can be packaged in large quantities, which lowers their price. On the contrary, gold coins are easier to sell than gold bars.

Beginner investors, especially those on a tight budget, should begin with gold coins instead of gold bars. A more seasoned investor can buy larger volumes of gold bullion bars because they are less expensive to store than coins of equivalent worth. 

Which Gold Coins Are Pure Gold? 

The standard that is widely accepted as being ideal and pure is 24-karat gold. 24k gold coins include the American Buffalo, Canadian Maple Leaf, Chinese Panda, Austrian Philharmonic, etc.

While many people prefer the 24k Gold Buffalo coin, US Mint production numbers show that a particular 22k gold coin, the American Gold Eagle, is more popular.

The term 22k gold is unfamiliar to many people. 22 karat means that the gold content in the coin is merely 90%, as opposed to 99.99% for 24k gold. However, this does not imply that there is less gold there.

A 24-karat gold coin contains one ounce of gold. Pure gold is delicate, fragile, and malleable. So, to prevent deterioration, gold coins of high purity are therefore preserved in capsules.

A 22-karat gold coin still has 1 ounce of gold in it but has only been reinforced with an alloy of copper and a tiny bit of silver to enhance its resistance to damage. The American Gold Eagle, British sovereigns, Krugerrands, and pre-1933 gold coins are all examples of 22k gold coins. 

What Is The Safest Place To Buy Gold Coins? 

Online, local coin shops, central banks, commercial banks, pawn shops, etc are where most gold coins are purchased. Several other places exist as well. 

Prestigious auction houses with a reputation for selling gold coins provide collectible gold coins. Although rare collectibles can be found here, you might not always be able to find the exact gold coin you’re searching for. 

Some of the most sound and highest-rated places to buy gold coins both online and offline are – 

• Money Metals Exchange 
• Birch Gold Group 
• APMEX (American Precious Metals Exchange) 
• BGASC 
• JM Bullion 
• SD Bullion 
• BullionMax 
• Various Coin Shows 
• Heritage Auctions 
• Sotheby’s 
• Stacks-Bowers 

Are Gold Coins A Safe Investment?

Long-term research has shown that gold bullion coins offer a safe investment possibility. They act as a potent inflation hedger as a result. Most people consider gold to be a safe harbor for investments during times of deflation. They increase their purchases, which raises prices. 

Similar to how less gold means higher prices when there is a demand crisis, the opposite is also true. These advantages don’t always come in equal amounts, though. The price of gold can fluctuate quickly as well. 

Additionally, because of their physical makeup, they incur additional costs like premium fees, storage fees, and insurance costs, among other things. Therefore, even though gold bullion is hailed as a reliable investment, you should take overhead and economic uncertainty into account.