The "big six" gold bullion coins

What is the difference between collector coins & bullion coins?

Nicht jede Goldmünze eignet sich in gleicher Weise zur Geldanlage. Man unterscheidet zwischen Sammlermünzen und Bullionmünzen.

The value of collector coins is not only determined by the material, but also by other factors. Coin collectors are particularly interested in the rarity of a coin: Things like the age of a coin, the year of issue or certain characteristics determine how much a collector is willing to pay for a coin.

Bullion coins, on the other hand, are explicitly issued as investment coins. The price of such a coin is made up of the pure material value and a small surcharge for the minting. Bullion coins are often also legal tender, but the face value of gold bullion coins is always far below the actual value.

Which gold coin is the best?

The best gold coins for beginners are investment coins that are as well-known as possible and therefore widely accepted. Do not buy exotic coins and above all avoid buying medals. All of the bullion coins listed below are accepted worldwide and make excellent gold investments.

You can sell these coins anytime and anywhere at dealers or banks at a price close to the current gold price . You only have to reckon with a minimal discount of between 1-5% between the buying and selling price of these coins.

The most important gold bullion coins

Krugerrand / Krugerrand

The South African Krugerrand (or Krugerrand in German) has been minted since 1967 and is the world's most widespread and probably best-known gold bullion coin. The Krugerrand is legal tender in South Africa, although there is no face value on the coin. Unlike many other bullion coins, the Krugerrand is only made of 22 carat gold, i.e. it is a gold alloy. The added copper is also responsible for the reddish color and is intended to make the coin harder.

Front: Springbok
Reverse: Paul Kruger
Country: South Africa
Manufacturer: South African Mint
Fineness: 916.67/1000 gold
Sizes: 1 ounce, ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, 1/10 ounce
Years of mintage: 1967 until today

Maple Leaf

Die kanadische Maple Leaf Goldmünze ist neben dem Krugerrand wohl die andere Goldmünze, die fast jedes Kind kennt. Während auf der Vorderseite das namensgebende Blatt des Zucker-Ahorns aufgeprägt ist, findet sich auf der Rückseite ein Portrait der Queen. Mit einer Reinheit von 999,9/1000 Gold besteht die Maple Leaf aus reinem Gold, ist aber wie viele andere Bullionmünzen auch in Silber, Platin und sogar Palladium erhältlich.

Front: Maple leaf
Reverse: Queen Elizabeth II
Country: Canada
Manufacturer: Royal Canadian Mint
Fineness: 999.9/1000 gold
Sizes: 1 ounce, ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, 1/10 ounce, 1/20 ounce, 1 gram
Years minted: 1979 to today

Vienna Philharmonic

Die Wiener Philharmoniker Münze ist die auflagenstärkste Münze Europas und weit über die Grenzen Österreichs hinaus bekannt. Der Philharmoniker besteht aus purem Gold (999,9% Goldanteil) und wird von der Münze Österreich mittlerweile in 5 verschiedenen Größen ausgegeben. Bis 2001 wurde der Nennwert der Münze in Schilling aufgeprägt (2000ATS – 200 ATS), seit 2002 tragen alle Auflagen einen Eurowert (100 € – 4 €).

Front page: Instruments of the Philharmonic Orchestra
Back: Organ of the Vienna Musikverein
Country: Austria
Manufacturer: Austrian Mint AG
Fineness: 999.9/1000 gold
Sizes: 1 ounce, ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, 1/10 ounce, 1/25 ounce
Years of minting: 1989 until today

Australian Nugget / Australian Kangaroo

This Australian gold coin is a popular bullion coin that stands out due to its changing motifs and whose name has even changed. Because the motif initially featured unusual gold nuggets found in Australia, the coin was initially called "The Australian Nugget". From 1990, however, images of kangaroos were minted as a motif, which changed annually. Despite this, the name of the coin remained the same. It was not until 2008 that the coin was renamed "Australian Kangaroo". There is always a portrait of the head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, on the obverse, but this is also adapted. In addition to the standard investment sizes between 1 ounce and 1/20 ounce, there are also special sizes of ½ gram, 2 ounces, 10 ounces and 1 kilo. In 2012, the Perth Mint is even minting a Kangaroo coin with a fine weight of one tonne: the largest gold coin in the world.

Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II
Reverse: Gold nugget or kangaroo
Country: Australia
Manufacturer: Perth Mint
Fineness: 999.9/1000 gold
Sizes: 1 ounce, ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, 1/10 ounce, 1/20 ounce
Years of mintage: 1986 to today

China Panda

Auch die Panda Goldmünze aus China wird jedes Jahr mit einem wechselnden Motiv ausgegeben. Aufgrund des Pandabär-Motivs gilt der “Gold Panda” oder “China Panda” als eine der schönsten Goldmünzen und erfreut nicht nur als Anlagemünze großer Beliebtheit, sondern wird auch gesammelt. Eine Besonderheit dieser Münze liegt zudem darin, dass sie seit 2016 nicht mehr in einer Unzen-Stückelung herausgegeben wird, sondern mit Gramm-Angaben. So wiegt die größte Standard Münze seit 2016 eben nicht mehr 1 Unze, sondern wurde auf glatte 30 Gramm abgerundet.

Front: Panda
Reverse: Temple of Heaven
Country: China
Manufacturer: China Mint
Fineness: 999.9/1000 gold
Sizes: 1 ounce, ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, 1/10 ounce, 1/20 ounce resp.
30 grams, 15 grams, 8 grams, 3 grams, 1 gram
Years of minting: 1982 until today

American Buffalo

The American Buffalo is the first US bullion coin made of 24 carat gold. The other well-known US coin, the American Gold Eagle, is only made from an alloy of American 916.7/1000 gold, i.e. 22 carat. While the coin was initially only issued in one size, namely 1 ounce, in 2006, it has also been issued in sizes of _1⁄10, ¼ and ½ troy ounce since 2008.

Front side: Indian head
Back: Buffalo
Country: USA
Manufacturer: United States Mint
Fineness: 999.9/1000 gold
Sizes: 1 ounce, ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, _1⁄10 ounce
Years minted: 2006 to date