Bullion coin
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A bullion coin is a coin struck from precious metal and kept as a store of value or an investment, rather than used in day-to-day commerce. Bullion coins are usually available in gold and silver, with the exception of the Krugerrand and the Swiss Vreneli which are only available in gold. The American Eagle series is available in gold, silver and platinum, and the Canadian Maple Leaf series is available in gold, silver, platinum and also palladium.
Bullion coins are also typically available in various weights. These are usually multiples or fractions of 1 troy ounce, but some bullion coins are produced in very limited quantities in kilograms and even heavier.
Bullion coins sell for a premium over the market price of the metal on the commodities exchanges. This is due to their comparative small size and the costs associated with manufacture, storage and distribution. The margin that is paid varies depending on what type of coin it is, the weight of the coin, and the precious metal. The premium also is affected by prevailing demand. The ISO currency code of gold bullion is XAU. ISO 4217 includes codes not only for currencies, but also for precious metals (gold, silver, palladium and platinum; by definition expressed per one troy ounce, as compared to "1 USD") and certain other entities used in international finance, e.g. Special Drawing Rights.
List of bullion coins
| Country | Name of bullion coin | Fineness | Denominations (Gold weight) |
Years of mintage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Gold Nugget | .9999 | 1/20 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz., 2 oz., 10 oz., 1 kilo |
1986 - Present 1991 - Present |
| Australia | Australian Lunar Series I | .9999 | 1 oz. | 1996-2007 |
| Australia | Australian Lunar Series II | .9999 | 1 oz. | 2008-2019 |
| Austria | Philharmoniker | .9999 | 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz. | 1989 - Present |
| Canada | Canadian Maple Leaf | .9999 (.99999 avalaible) | 1/20 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz. | 1979 - Present |
| China | Chinese Gold Panda | .999 | 1/20 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz. | 1982 - Present |
| Mexico | Libertad | .999 | 1/20 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz. | 1991 - Present |
| Mexico | Onza | .900 | 1 oz. | Discontinued |
| Mexico | Centenario (50 Pesos) | .900 | 1.20565 oz. | 1921 - 1931 Periodically 1943 - 1972 |
| Poland | Orzeł bielik | .9999 | 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz. | 1995 - Present But 2001, 2003 and 2005 |
| South Africa | Krugerrand | .9167 | 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz. | 1967 - Present |
| Switzerland | Vreneli | .900 | 1897 - 1936 1947 and 1949 | |
| United Kingdom | Sovereign | .9167 | 7.3224 grams | 1887 - 1932 1949 - 1952 (dated 1925) 1957 - 1959 1962 - 1968 1974, 1976, 1978 - 1982 2000 - Present |
| United Kingdom | Britannia | .9167 | 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz. | 1987 - Present |
| United Nations | Oro[1] | ???? | ???? | Not yet produced |
| United States | American Eagle | .9167 | 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz. | 1986 - Present |
| United States | American Buffalo | .9999 | 1 oz. | 2006 - Present |
| United States | Double Eagle | .900 | 0.9675 oz. | 1849 - 1933 |
| Country | Name of bullion coin | Fineness | Denominations (Platinum weight) |
Years of mintage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Platinum Koala | .9995 | 1/20 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz. | 1988 - Present |
| Canada | Platinum Maple Leaf | .9995 | 1/20 oz., 1/15 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz. | 1979 - 1999 |
| Isle of Man | Noble | .9995 | 1/20 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz. | 1983 - 1989 |
| United States | Platinum Eagle | .9995 | 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz. | 1997 - Present |
See also
References
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