Until the 19th century, gold money was in active circulation. And even more – it was in the 19th century that a huge number of gold coins were minted in almost all countries of the world, since at that time the gold standard was adopted, under which gold became the only equivalent common to all.
And already in the 20th century, gold coins abruptly and very quickly went out of circulation, giving way to paper banknotes. Amazing metamorphosis! But it would be strange if gold coins disappeared altogether. Millennia of monetary history is difficult to cross out.
Age-old passion
Today, gold coins are still minted, but now they are an object for thesaurus or investment. Investing in gold in the form of coins is both useful for the wallet and interesting from the point of view of collecting. Even the coins of recent years are already history, which will increase in value every year.
In addition to gold, other precious metals (platinum, palladium and silver) are also used for investment money. But it is gold specimens that are especially popular. The age-old passion of mankind for gold is not yet able to be defeated by other metals.
Although investment coins indicate the denomination, it is unlikely that anyone will pay for it in a store. These coins are not for circulation. They pass from collection to collection, from bank to bank, where they are actually purchased, exchanged or stored.
Collections and investments
National (central) banks are engaged in issuing investment coins. Do not look for the inscription “investment” on these coins. Commemorative coins made of precious metals are often purchased as investments.
British 50th Anniversary Gold Coin of the Coronation of Elizabeth II, 2003
Commemorative coins are primarily designed not for investors, but for collectors, so they are very beautiful in execution. The beauty of a coin is also an investment that pays off many times over time. Also, the value of coins raises their historical value.
Coins may not be investment initially, but become them. An example is the Soviet gold Chevrolets “Sower”, which was minted in the USSR from 1975 to 1982. The reason for the release was the Olympics-80 in Moscow, whose foreign guests were offered to buy the Sowers, but most of the coins could not be sold. In the 90s, the stocks of “Sowers” from the vaults of the Bank of Russia began to be sold through the country’s credit organizations as coins for investment.
But there are also just investment coins designed specifically for investing money based on the positive dynamics of the value of the precious metal. They are minted in the usual uncirculated quality. Their design is more modest than that of the collector’s editions, but the circulation is much higher.
Dear beauty
These days, there are a lot of gold coins for thesaurus, investment and collecting. Among them there are well-known series, popular and affordable, and there are also rare options that are chased not so much in a thirst to invest profitably in gold metal, but to acquire a coveted rarity for the collection.
One of the first gold coins to be issued as investment coins were the Krugerrands from South Africa. They got their name in honor of the president of the Transvaal, Paul Kruger, who became a national hero because of the confrontation with Great Britain, which aimed to conquer the republic. The Krugerrand was minted in 1967. A huge number of them were released. Today, the total mass of Krugerrands sold by South Africa already exceeds one and a half thousand tons! But such coins are not cheap – as of September 2019, about $ 1,500 apiece. Together with 1.09 ounces of pure gold, the coin contains 2.826 grams of copper, which is why the Krugerrands have a special reddish tint.
Surprisingly, the fact is that the population of the United States has more Krugerrands in their hands than their own American investment coins – “golden eagles”. American coins with the image of the American bison are also of great investment value.
Chinese “golden pandas” of various denominations are among the most volatile investment coins in the world. Their design changes annually, although the obverse depicting the Temple of Heaven has remained unchanged since 1992.
A gold coin from Australia with the image of a kangaroo is very popular. This coin is “virgin” because it is enclosed in a special capsule that cannot be opened. So she can freely change owners, while remaining unsullied. For example, for collection (not investment) coins of “Proof” quality, this is fundamentally important, and any imprint can reduce the value of a coin to the banal price of metal.
But the Canadian bullion coin with a maple leaf on the reverse and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth on the obverse is considered the purest in composition (fineness – 0.9999) and with the most impeccable minting quality. This coin has been minted since 1979 and in terms of sales today has already surpassed the South African Krugerrand.
Many serious investors of the world choose the Canadian golden maple leaf as an investment object. True, now this coin can compete with a new one – 200 Canadian dollars “Roaring Grizzly”, also minted from gold of the highest quality. These coins are worth more than a hundred thousand rubles.
Approximately the same price is for the Austrian gold coin “Vienna Philharmonic”. For investments in gold, a line of 4, 10, 25, 50 and 100 euros is issued annually. Platinum investors are offered 4 and 100 euros. Silver is denominated at 1.5 euros. 100 euros is an ounce (31.1 grams). The remaining denominations are derivative shares: 4 euros – twenty-fifth of an ounce, 10 euros – a tenth of an ounce, etc.
