Popular Gold Coins & How Much They’re Worth

Gold has served as money throughout human history, across the world, for many reasons, such as ease of transportation, high value-to-weight ratio, ability to be easily melted and repurposed without losing it’s value and more. While people have used pure gold or gold bars in their transactions, the most common form of gold currency has always been gold coins.

While there was a time when gold coins were used in circulation as currency, in recent decades, they have found their purpose as bullion coins to gold investors and commemorative coins to collectors. Though these coins are accepted as legal tender, you won’t find them being used in day-to-day financial transactions because the value of the gold more often than not exceeds the nominal value of the currency.

Gold coins have always been made mostly or entirely of gold. Most gold coins minted since 1800 are about 90-92% gold (22 karat), but nearly all modern gold bullion coins are pure gold. The remaining ~10% is often silver and copper. 

Considering the fact that gold coins are quite popular among both investors and collectors, people looking into the subject matter are usually interested in knowing about the many different gold coins and their worth. In this article, we’ll look into some of the more popular gold coins and their worth.

1) American Eagles Gold Coins

The American Eagle gold coin is one of the official gold bullions of the United States. It was authorized by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and first released by the United States Mint in 1986. The design of the coin features a full figure of Lady Liberty with flowing hair holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch on the left on the front, while on the back the coin shows a male eagle carrying an olive branch flying above a nest of eagles.

American Eagle gold coins come in 4 sizes: 1/10 troy ounces, 1/4 troy ounces, 1/2 troy ounces, and 1 troy ounce (with a face value of $5, $10, $25, and $50 respectively). Interestingly, the law dictates that the gold used in the minting of American Eagles must come from sources in the United States, and it is alloyed with silver and copper to produce a more wear-resistant coin. Each of the four sizes contains 91.67% gold (22 karat), 3% silver, and 5.33% copper.

Based on a market price of $1850, each of the 4 sizes would be worth the following. At Express Gold Cash, we pay 90% of the value of gold bullion, so the amount we would pay is in parentheses.

1/10 Troy Ounces of 22k gold: $169.58 ($152.63)
1/4 Troy Ounces of 22k gold: $423.96 ($381.56)
1/2 Troy Ounce of 22k gold: $847.92 ($763.13)
1 Troy Ounce of 22k gold: $1695.83 ($1526.25)

2) American Buffalo Gold Coins

American Buffalo gold coins are a 24-karat bullion coin that have been on offer by the United States Mint since June 22, 2006. The coin’s design is based on the Indian Head nickel (also known as the Buffalo nickel) and features a Native American on its front and an American bison on the back. The coin weighs 1 Troy Ounce.

While it has a face value of $50, this coin has the distinction of being the first pure 24-karat coin ever that the US Government has minted for the public. Due to both the coin’s popularity and the rapid rise in the price of gold since the creation of the coin, it’s metal value has sharply increased in just a few years. The initial 2006 U.S. Mint price of the proof coin was $800. In 2007 the Mint proof coin was $899.95,$1,410.00 in 2009, and $2,010.00 in 2011.

The coin weights 1 Troy Ounce, a thus is worth the current price of gold. At $1850/ounce, we would pay 90% of that value ($1665).

3) Canadian Maple Leaf Gold Coins

Produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, the Canadian Maple Leaf gold coins are annually issued by the Government of Canada. As the name might suggest, this coin features the Canadian Maple leaf on it’s reverse display and on the front, Queen Elizabeth II of Canada.

While it has a face value of 50 Canadian dollars, the Gold Maple Leaf coin is special for being among the purest official bullion coins worldwide with some coins even having .99999 millesimal fineness (which incidentally is the purest type of gold currently produced). The standard version of the coin has a weight of 1 troy ounce, however, there are other sizes such as 1 gram, 1/25 troy ounce, 1/20 troy ounce, 1/10 troy ounce, 1/4 troy ounce, and 1/2 troy ounce. There also exists a 100 kg version of the coin with a purity of 99.999%, a nominal face value of $1 million and a metal value of over $3.5 million known as the “Big Maple Leaf”.

The value of each size gold Maple Leaf based on $1850/ounce is below, with the amount Express Gold would pay in parentheses.

1 Gram: $59.48 ($53.53)
1/25 Troy Ounce: $74 ($66.60)
1/20 Troy Ounce: $92.50 ($83.25)
1/10 Troy Ounce: $185 ($166.50)
1/4 Troy Ounce: $462.50 ($416.25)
1/2 Troy Ounce: $925 ($832.50)
1 Troy Ounce: $1850 ($1665)

4) South African Gold Krugerrands

The Krugerrand is a South African coin that features the likeness of Paul Kruger, the former President of South Africa on its face. On it’s reverse side, the coin features the country’s national animal: the springbok. The coin derives its name from the last name of Paul Kruger and rand, the South African unit of currency.

The Kruggerand has no face value, but is considered legal tender in South Africa by the South African Reserve Bank Act (SARBA) of 1989. One can find several weights of the Krugerrands such as 1/50 troy ounce, 1/20 troy ounce, 1/10 troy ounce, 1/4 troy ounce, 1/2 troy ounce, and the most common 1 troy ounce.

Below are the values of each Gold Krugerrand size based on an $1850/ounce gold price (Express Gold buy price in parentheses).

1/50 Troy Ounce: $37 ($33.30)
1/20 Troy Ounce: $92.50 ($83.25)
1/10 Troy Ounce: $185 ($166.50)
1/4 Troy Ounce: $462.50 ($416.25)
1/2 Troy Ounce: $925 ($832.50)
1 Troy Ounce: $1850 ($1665)

5) Australian Nugget/Kangaroo Gold Coins

The Australian Gold Nugget is a gold bullion coin that stands out for being one of the few legal tender bullion gold coins that changes it’s design every year. From 1986 (when it debuted) to 1989, the coin features various Australian gold nuggets on the reverse, but since then it has started featuring different kangaroos, giving the coin it’s modern name “Australian Kangaroos”.

These coins come in denominations of 1/20 troy ounce, 1/10 troy ounce, ​ 1/4 troy ounce, ​ 1/2 troy ounce, 1 troy ounce, 2 troy ounces, 10 troy ounces, and 1 kg of 24 carat gold. However, the changing designs and the limited annual mintage actually gives the Australian Nugget/Kangaroo coins a boost in their numismatic value that is over the metal value. The Australian Nugget actually currently holds the title for the biggest and most valuable gold coin, with a specially minted version that weighs at one tonne, has a face value of A$1 million and metal value of over A$53 million.

Below are the values of each Gold Australian Nugget based on an $1850/ounce gold price (Express Gold buy price in parentheses).

1/20 Troy Ounce: $92.50 ($83.25)
1/10 Troy Ounce: $185 ($166.50)
1/4 Troy Ounce: $462.50 ($416.25)
1/2 Troy Ounce: $925 ($832.50)
1 Troy Ounce: $1850 ($1665)
2 Troy Ounces: $3700 ($3330)
1kg: $59478.80 ($ask)

6) Australian Lunar Gold Coins

Much like the Australian Nugget gold coins, Australian Lunar gold coins are gold coins that change their design every year. But unlike the Nuggets, these coins feature a different animal based on the Chinese Lunar calendar. These coins are highly sought after by collectors for their unique designs.

These coins come in denominations including but not limited to 1/50 ounce, 1/10 ounce, 1/4 ounce, 1 ounce, 10 ounces, and more. All the coins are assured 99.99% pure gold in proof quality. The Australian Lunar gold coins are all legal tender in Australia and include their face values in the coin itself.

Below are the values of each Australian Lunar Gold Coin based on an $1850/ounce gold price (Express Gold buy price in parentheses).

1/50 Troy Ounce: $37 ($33.30)
1/10 Troy Ounce: $185 ($166.50)
1/4 Troy Ounce: $462.50 ($416.25)
1 Troy Ounce: $1850 ($1665)
10 Troy Ounces: $18500 ($16650)

7) Vienna Philharmonic Gold Coins

The Vienna Philharmonic gold coins are produced by the Austrian Mint and named for and inspired by the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. The coin features the pipe organ in the Vienna Musikverein’s Golden Hall on its front side and orchestra instruments of the Vienna Philharmonic including Vienna horn, bassoon, harp, and four violins centered on a cello.

The coin was introduced in 1989 as a 1 troy ounce coin with a face value of 2,000 Austrian schillings, but today it has a face value of 100 euros. These coins are among the world’s best-selling bullion coins. The gold Philharmonic has a fineness of 999.9 (99.99% purity) and is available in denominations of 1/25 troy ounce, 1/10 troy ounce, 1/4 troy ounce, 1/2 troy ounce and 1 troy ounce.

Below are the values of each Vienna Philharmonic Gold Coin based on an $1850/ounce gold price (Express Gold buy price in parentheses).

1/25 Troy Ounce: $74 ($66.60)
1/10 Troy Ounce: $185 ($166.50)
1/4 Troy Ounce: $462.50 ($416.25)
1/2 Troy Ounce: $925 ($832.50)
1 Troy Ounce: $1850 ($1665)

8) Chinese Panda Gold Coins

The Chinese Gold Panda is another gold coin that changes it’s design annually (with a single exception). The coin was first issued by the People’s Republic of China in 1982. On its front side, the coin shows an image of the Temple of Heaven, which has been unchanged since 1982; however, on the back, the coin features changing designs of giant pandas (except 2001 and 2002 which shared the same image).

These coins come in a variety of different sizes and denominations, ranging from 1⁄20 to 1 troy ounce, however, since 2016, the coins have been measured in grams rather than troy ounces. The coins are available in 30 grams, 15 grams, 8 grams, 3 grams, and 1 gram versions (with face values of 500 yuan, 200 yuan, 100 yuan, 50 yuan, and 20 yuan respectively).

Below are the values of each Chinese Gold Panda Coin based on an $1850/ounce gold price (Express Gold buy price in parentheses).

30 Grams: $1784.33 ($1605.90)
15 Grams: $892.20 ($802.95)
3 Grams: $178.44 ($160.60)
1 Gram: $59.48 ($53.53)

9) Austrian Gold Ducats

Gold Ducats base their design and appearance from the medieval gold coins of Europe, which were being issued as early 1612, though in all likelihood, they were being issued earlier. Austria continued minting new Austrian Ducats until 1915, but since then they have continued to restrike and distribute modern Gold ducats according to the original dimensions, specifications, and date, based on a range of previously circulated coins.. This gives Austrian Ducats the unique privilege that is not shared by any other gold coin. The coin features a portrait of Franz Josef I, the last Emperor of Austria on one side and the coat of arms of Austria overlaid upon a crowned double-headed Imperial eagle on the other.

The Austrian Mint still mints single and four-ducats, both dated 1915, however, since there are still coins being sold that were in circulation pre-1915, Austrian Ducats have a wide range of metal value. The former circulation coins almost all have a 98.60% fineness, which is quite high.

To provide pricing on Austrian Gold Ducats, the actual fineness of the gold needs to be tested. At 98.6% purity, a 1 Troy Ounce coin would be worth $1824.10 (Express Gold Price: $1641.69) based on a gold price per ounce of $1850.

10) Mexican Gold Libertads

Mexican Libertads all originate from the oldest mint in the Americas,  the La Casa de Moneda de México (Mexican Mint). All Gold Libertads from Mexico share the same design on the reverse side: the Mexican Coat of Arms, a golden eagle eating a rattlesnake while perched on a cactus. The front of the coin features a design from the Centenario (a gold bullion coin minted to celebrate Mexico’s independence from Spain), the Angel of Independence in front with the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl in the background.

Mexican Libertads have not changed their size since they were first minted.  However, their fineness has changed. From 1981 through 1990, the gold Libertads contained 90% gold with 10% copper. All Libertads since 1991 have contained 99.9% gold. Libertads are available in denominations of 1/20 troy ounce, 1/10 troy ounce, 1/4 troy ounce, 1/2 troy ounce, and 1 troy ounce. They do not have a face value, but are legally accepted tender in Mexico based on their metal value.

Below are the values of each Mexican Gold Libertads based on an $1850/ounce gold price (Express Gold buy price in parentheses). Note that if your Libertad was minted in 1990 or earlier, the prices will be 10% lower due to the copper in the older coins.

1/20 Troy Ounce: $92.50 ($83.25)
1/10 Troy Ounce: $185 ($166.50)
1/4 Troy Ounce: $462.50 ($416.25)
1/2 Troy Ounce: $925 ($832.50)
1 Troy Ounce: $1850 ($1665)

Collecting And Selling Gold Coins

Collecting gold coins is a hobby for many and an investment to many others. Numismatists around the world buy and sell coins all the time, but when you are selling gold coins, you need to be more selective than usual.

If you have gold coins and are thinking of selling them, selling to Express Gold Cash gets you the best deal. We buy everything from extremely rare coins to foreign currency and more and we pay 90% of gold bullion value for coins. For example, based on the price of $1850/troy ounce:

• The 1 ounce 24k gold coins, which are worth $1850, will get you $1665.
• The 1/2 ounce 24k gold coins, worth $925, will get you $832.50 at Express Gold Cash.

We understand that selling your gold coins can be a sensitive process, so we offer free valuations and a Satisfaction Guarantee. Feel free to get in touch with us via phone (877-465-3165) or email (support@expressgoldcash.com) for any questions or concerns about selling your gold coins or simple request a free appraisal kit to get started.