Understanding Gold Bullion Coins: A Complete Guide for Buyers And Collectors Gold bullion coins have develop into increasingly in style amongst buyers and collectors alike, serving as a tangible asset that may provide security and potential revenue in uncertain economic occasions. This article will delve into what gold bullion coins are, their history, the various sorts out there, their investment potential, and the way to buy them. What are Gold Bullion Coins? Gold bullion coins are coins which are made primarily of gold and are valued based on their weight and purity relatively than their numismatic worth (collectible value). Typically, these coins contain a minimum of 91.67% gold, which is equivalent to 22 karats. The commonest weight for gold bullion coins is one troy ounce, but they may also be found in fractional sizes similar to 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce, and 1/10 ounce. A quick History of Gold Bullion Coins The use of gold as currency dates again hundreds of years. Nevertheless, the trendy idea of gold bullion coins started within the late nineteenth century. The first official gold bullion coins were minted by the United States in 1849 during the California Gold Rush. The American Gold Eagle, launched in 1986, and the American Gold Buffalo, introduced in 2006, are among probably the most acknowledged gold bullion coins today. Other international locations have additionally produced their very own bullion coins, together with the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, the South African Krugerrand, and the Australian Gold Kangaroo. Each of those coins has its own unique design and characteristics, but all of them share the frequent characteristic of being made from high-purity gold.