Since time immemorial, gold has been and continues to be a precious metal with historical, cultural, and religious significance. It is also a symbol of wealth. It exists in the form of jewelry, bars, and coins. Owning these coins has become a wise investment as there is always a market for them. Before purchasing or selling, an investor or collector needs to see the value of a gold coin that interests them. This article focuses on some aspects that determine the value of gold coins.
Popular Gold Coins
Bullions and rare coins are the two types of gold coins. Bullion ones are produced or still minted by factories in their most pure physical forms. The rare ones are those in the numismatic field, which refers to the study of currency. The value of the bullion depends on the gold content, and the rare depends on catalogs (previous auctions and dealers).
Some popular bullions are the 1986 American Gold Eagle, 1979 Canadian Maple Leaf, British Sovereign, 1970 South African Gold Krugerrand, and 1990 Chinese Panda. Rare ones include Sovereign Georges V, Sovereign Edward VII, and 20 Dollars Liberty Head. Bullions are more popular because they are more stable and attract a more active and broader market.
Some catalogs you can use for reference include the Red or Blue Book for American coins, Godour, the Red Book for French coins; Spink, which is for British Coins; and for all countries, always look for the Standard Catalog of gold coins.
The Market Value
The ability of these coins to maintain their high value appeals to many collectors and investors. The value increases as years go by; for example, one that has lasted for two generations is twice more valuable than its initial buying price. One of the easiest ways to determine value is by checking on the internet or visiting a local dealer who will provide you with the current market value. The inscriptions on both sides of a coin make the internet search easier.
Purity of The Coin
Pure coins are more valuable than those mixed with other metals like zinc and silver during their minting process. Carats and fineness measure purity, with people using carats widely. A pure one has 24 carats, followed by one with carats which means it has 22 parts of gold and 2 parts of silver and zinc, while others have 18 carats and 14 carats. Most people prefer those with 24 or 22 carats as they have more value. An expert can determine the coin’s dimensions and weight to authenticate its purity.
Grade If the Gold Coin
Grading a gold coin refers to looking at its condition, that is., how good a circulated coin looks after years of circulation, and in the case of an uncirculated one, how close it looks to when first minted. Circulated coins are used daily, just like money, while uncirculated ones are often for collectors and not in public circulation.
When well maintained and certified by an expert and condition guaranteed, a coin will fetch a higher value at an auction, dealer, or show. Bullion ones are often not affected by grading and retain their market value.
The rarity of The Coin
Rare coins have higher value because their existence is limited, and the surviving ones are fewer. Bodies like Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS) and Numismatic Guarantee Corporation (NGS) often give an accurate number of existing ones.
Summary
The Gold will remain valuable for a long time, and the information above guides you in knowing the value of its coins. One must take precautions and avoid purchasing a fake coin or selling one at a lower value than the current market price.
