Bullion coins - A great way to invest safely for the future.
Bullion coins are produced through several national governments throughout the world. The major producers of these coins are the United States of America, Canada, China, South Africa, Mexico and Austria. These coins are made from gold, silver and platinum. Canada even makes a palladium maple leaf.
United States Bullion Coins
Gold American Eagles are made in sizes of 1/10oz, 1/4oz, 1/2oz and 1oz. They have face values of $5.00, $10.00, $25.00 and $50.00 respectively. Gold Eagles began production in 1986 however only the 1oz coins were struck that year. The smaller denominations came later in 1987.
Silver American Eagles are made of 1oz fine silver and have a face value of $1.00. Silver Eagles began in 1986 along with Gold Eagles and they are still in production today.
Platinum American Eagles are made in sizes of 1/10oz, 1/4oz, 1/2oz and 1oz. They have face values of $10.00, $25.00, $50.00 and $100.00 respectively. The $100.00 coins are the highest denomination ever made at a U.S. Branch Mint. The reverse design of these beautiful coins has changed every year since 1997.
The Gold Buffalo was the first ever .9999 fine gold coin ever produced at the U.S. Mint. The Gold Buffalo series began in 2006 with 1oz coins carrying a face value of $50.00. To follow the tradition that the American Eagle started, the U.S. Mint announced in 2008 that they would make fractional denominations of
the Buffalo as well. These denominations
mirror that of the American Eagles and are
1/10oz at $5.00 face value, 1/4oz at $10.00
face value and 1/2oz at $25.00 face value.
Canadian Maple Leafs
Gold Maple Leafs are guaranteed by the Canadian Government and have been traded in world markets since 1979. These coins are available in five sizes of, 1/20oz, 1/10oz, 1/4oz, 1/2oz and 1oz. Between 1979 and 1982 the 1oz coins were struck with a gold purity of .999. All other Maple Leafs were struck with a gold purity of .9999 fine gold.
Silver Maple Leafs were first minted in 1988. Silver Maples are one of the more popular members of the Canadian Maple Leaf family of bullion coins. These coins contain one troy ounce of pure .9999 fine silver. This makes them the purest one-ounce silver coin made by any government mint anywhere worldwide.
Platinum Maple Leafs, along with their silver counterparts, also began production in 1988 and lasted until 1999. These platinum coins were also minted in five different sizes of 1/20oz, 1/10oz, 1/4oz, 1/2oz, and 1oz. The Platinum Maples were minted with a purity of .9995 fine platinum.
Palladium Maple Leafs have been in production at the Royal Canadian Mint since 2005 and are still being made today. These coins are 1oz of .9995 pure palladium and have a face value of $50.00.
Chinese Pandas
Gold Chinese Pandas were first issued in 1982. They were produced in sizes of 1/10oz, 1/4oz, 1/2oz, and 1oz. Later in 1983 China introduced a 1/20oz panda as well. The
panda design on these coins has changed every year with the exception of 2002.
Silver Chinese Pandas began their production in 1983 and have had several changes with regard to weight and silver purity. From 1983 to 1985 silver pandas were 27grams of 90% silver. The 1987 issue was 1oz and had a purity of 92.5% silver. From 1989 to the present, Chinese silver pandas are 1oz of
.999 fine silver. No silver pandas were issued
in 1986 or 1988.
South African Krugerrand
The South African Krugerrand was originally minted in 1967 and they are still in production today. Krugerrands were the first ever gold coin to contain exactly one troy ounce of gold. Krugerrands are also minted in 1/2oz, 1/4oz, and 1/10oz sizes as well. These bullion coins have the same gold purity as American Eagles at 91.67% fine gold.
Mexican 50 Peso and Onza
Mexican 50 peso coins were first issued in 1921 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mexico's independence from Spain. These coins contain 1.2057 ounces of gold with an alloy of 90% gold to 10% copper for strength and durability.
The Mexican Libertad (Onza) became the first silver bullion coin to be minted in one ounce size in 1949. Originally called Onza, these coins are legal tender, although no face value is displayed. These silver coins are available in several sizes for the bullion investor.
Austrian Philharmonic
The Austrian Gold Philharmonic began its production in 1989 and quickly became very popular with investors. They are available in 1/10oz, 1/4oz, 1/2oz, and 1oz sizes and have a composition of 99.99% fine gold. The Austrian Mint was established in 1194 over 800 years ago.
Austrian Silver Philharmonics were first minted in 2008 by the 800-year old Austrian Mint, Silver Philharmonics are pure .999 fine silver bullion coins. Each coin contains one troy ounce of pure silver and measures 37mm in diameter.
