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Buying Guide: Vintage Fractional Gold Coins

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Fractional gold coins are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to buy gold coins. While modern fractional gold coin premiums can seem extremely high relative to their full troy ounce counterparts, vintage gold coins are a popular way for investors to save significant premiums over the long haul.

When considering an investment in gold coins it is important to consider the premiums that you will pay over the gold spot price. For many investors it is more reasonable to purchase fractional gold coins more frequently, rather than saving up to purchase larger gold coins.

The 1/10th oz American Gold Eagle coin is often the first choice due to its popularity. However, dealer premiums can often exceed 10-15%, sometimes even higher. Comparing premiums with the 1 oz Gold Eagle which you can often find with a much lower premium of 1% to 2% over gold spot price.

Fractional gold coins have been circulated as currency for hundreds of years. Since gold doesn’t degrade and last thousands of years, there are a large assortment of vintage gold coins available in the bullion market that carry a lower premium than their modern counterparts.

Latin Monetary Union Gold Coins

The Latin Monetary Union (LMU) was an early attempt at unifying Europe under a single currency standard during the early 19th century. LMU coins were developed around the French Franc standard under Napoleon I beginning around 1803. The most common gold coin of the time was the 20 Francs Gold Coin.

20 Francs Gold Coins

The 20 Francs Gold Coin is one of the most popular vintage gold coins that you can buy at a low premium. Each is struck on a 21mm planchet and contains 6.45161 grams of .900 fine gold, which is .1867 troy ounces. The diameter of the coin is slightly smaller than a US Quarter dollar coin.

20 Francs Napoleon III

The 20 francs gold coin was designed to be a stable and reliable unit of currency that could facilitate trade and store value. The majority of the 20 Francs Gold coins that are traded as bullion today were minted in France during the 19th century. They feature a variety of designs that include portraits of various rulers of France during the era, including Napoleon I, Louis XVIII, Napoleon III, as well as French Third Republic gold coins like the “Lucky Angel” and the Gallic Rooster.

Its circulation was not limited to France; eventually becoming the standard coin across Latin Europe, playing a crucial role in international trade. After the creation of the Latin Monetary Union (LMU) was established in 1865, 20 Francs gold coins were minted and circulated in a number of different countries throughout Europe and other parts of the world. Other common variations include the Helvetia or Vreneli 20 Francs from Switzerland, 20 Lire Gold Coins from Italy, Belgian 20 Francs and many others.

It is difficult to measure the number of gold coins that were minted by LMU member countries due to the extensive period of production and the number of countries that adopted the standard. However, it is clear that millions of these coins were produced over the decades to meet the needs of trade, investment, and currency stability in Europe.

As the value of paper fiat currencies continues to drop, gold coins can help protect wealth against inflation. The relatively small size of the 20 Francs gold coin makes it easy to store, transport, and trade. They are generally highly liquid assets, meaning they can be easily converted into cash when needed.

10 Francs Coins

The 10 Francs Gold Coin contains half the amount of gold as the 20 Franc, 3.2258 grams of .900 fine gold. The 10 Francs Gold Coin contains .0933 troy ounces of gold, which is slightly less than 1/10th troy ounce.

When looking for vintage counterparts to modern American gold bullion, the 10 Francs Gold coin is comparable to the 1/10th oz American Gold Eagle. The premiums on 10 Francs Gold Coins are typically around 12% over the melt value, while modern fractional bullion can be significantly higher.

Ducat and Corona Gold Coins

The Gold Ducat originated in the Republic of Venice in the 13th century. Ducats were widely used across Europe as trade coins beginning from the medieval period onward.

1 Ducat Coins

The Gold Ducat was used as a trade coin in various parts of Europe during the late middle ages into the early 20th Century. Gold Ducat coins were minted using .986 fine gold, which is particularly high for a circulating gold coin.

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Austria 1 Ducat Gold coin

Popular versions of the Gold Ducat were produced in Austria, Hungary and the Netherlands. Each 1 Ducat Gold Coin contains .1106 troy ounce of gold, slightly more than 1/10th oz.

Premiums on 1 Ducat Gold Coins can be as low as around 5% over their melt value. Their high gold purity and low premium makes them one of the most affordable fractional gold coins for investors.

4 Ducat Gold Coin

Based on the Ducat Gold Standard, the 4 Ducat Gold Coins contains four times the amount of gold as the 1 Ducat. Like the 1 Ducat, the 4 Ducat Gold coin is also minted from .985 fine gold and contains 0.4430 troy ounce of gold.

Austria 100 Corona

The Gold 100 Corona was first minted in Austria-Hungary in the 19th century. The Austria Corona was primarily used as a trade and circulation coin. It was intended to facilitate large transactions and store value in a stable and internationally recognized form. The coin played a significant role in the economic system of Austria-Hungary, serving both domestic and international trade needs.

Various denominations of Corona Gold Coins were issued throughout the long period of production until the dissolution of Austria-Hungary in 1918 following the outbreak of World War I. It is known that these coins were produced in large quantities to support the economic and financial needs of the empire.

Great Britain Gold Sovereign

Great Britain has a history of minting many beautiful gold coins. One of the most popular British Gold Coins from England is the Gold Sovereign. The Royal Mint began minting the Gold Sovereign in 1817. Each gold sovereign coin contains .2354 troy ounces of gold. The Gold Sovereign is one of the most popular vintage gold bullion coins for investors and stackers.

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Gold Sovereign with a Perth Mint Mark

Millions of Gold Sovereign coins have been minted since the inception of the series, including from various overseas mints during the Colonial period. You can often buy Gold Sovereigns for as low as 3% to 4% over the melt value.

With dozens of unique variations, mint marks and other details, sovereign gold coins have a well established numismatic history, a variety of interesting design variations and are widely recognized throughout the world. The British sovereign gold coin has a rich history as a medium of international trade, a store of wealth, and a symbol of stability and reliability.

British Half Sovereign

Other variations of the Sovereign standard include the half sovereign. The half sovereign gold coin contains half the amount of gold (.1177 ozt) as the full sovereign, representing half the value.

First minted in 1817 after the Great Recoinage of 1816, which aimed to standardize British coinage and restore confidence in the country’s currency.

The mintage of half sovereign has varied significantly over the years. Some years saw very limited productions, making those coins particularly rare and valuable to collectors. The intrinsic value of these vintage gold coins can make them a valuable addition to investment portfolios.

Its extensive minting history and role in the gold standard era have cemented the British Gold Sovereign status as a key piece in the world of numismatics and precious metal investment. As an investment, Sovereign gold coins are a naturally fractional and are a popular choice among gold buyers that are looking for one of the lowest premium investment coins in the market.

Today, the British sovereign gold coin is primarily a bullion coin for investors and collectors, valued for its historical significance, artistic design, and gold content. While it is no longer used as circulating currency, the sovereign remains a symbol of Britain’s rich numismatic heritage and is considered one of the most prestigious gold coins in the world.

Mexico Gold Pesos

Mexican Gold Pesos coins are some of the most beautiful vintage gold coins in the world. While Gold prices fluctuate, the popularity continues to increase due to the coins intrinsic gold value.

Gold Pesos from Mexico capture the appeal of investors and stackers due to their gold content and familiarity, while collectors adore both the designs and their connection to Mexico’s rich numismatic history.

All Gold Pesos were minted at the Mexican Mint, la Casa de Moneda in Mexico City in a common .900 gold alloy with 10% copper. The addition of copper during the minting process gives coins a hardness to withstand the wear of circulation.

Six different denominations of the Gold Pesos were minted to commemorate the centennial of Mexico’s hard won independence from Spanish colonial rule.

2 Peso Gold Coin

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Dos Pesos Gold Coin Obverse

The 2 Pesos Gold coin (dos Pesos) is the smallest denomination of the gold peso. Each Dos Pesos contain .0482 troy ounces or roughly 1.50 grams of gold.

The 2 Peso Gold Coin features the Mexican Coat of Arms on the obverse, which shows an eagle facing forward while perched on a cactus in a lake with a snake in its beak. The reverse shows the face value of “Dos Pesos”, the year of minting and a laurel design.

The dos pesos coin is a popular choice with collectors and investors as an introduction to gold coins because of the affordable price point.

2.5 Pesos Gold Coin

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The Mexican 2.5 Pesos Gold Coins were produced from from 1918-1948. Most of the coins on the market that are sold as 1945 2.5 Pesos Gold Coins are restrikes that were produced between 1951-1972 and again in 1996.

The obverse features a portrait of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a key figure in Mexico’s fight for independence from Spain. The reverse showcases the Coat of Arms.

Each 2.5 Pesos Gold Coin contains .0603 troy ounces, roughly 2.0833 grams of gold bullion.

5 Pesos Gold Coin

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The Mexican 5 Peso Gold Coin contains .1205 troy ounces, roughly 3.75 grams of gold bullion. Each 5 pesos contains slightly more than 1/10 oz of gold.

The design of the coin is the same as the dos y medio and the diez pesos gold coins, with Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on the obverse and the Coat of Arms on the reverse.

The premiums on 5 Peso Gold Coins are often much lower than similar weight coins. Having a lower premium makes them an attractive investment for bullion investors.

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10 Pesos Gold Coin

The Mexican 10 Peso Gold Coin contains .2411 troy ounces, roughly 7.49 grams of gold.

The premiums on the Gold 10 peso Coin are lower than similar weight coins, with an approximate gold weight that is slightly lighter than 1/4 oz gold. For investors that buy 1/4 oz gold coins on a regular basis, the savings on premiums over the long haul can add up to a significant amount.

20 Pesos Gold Coin

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The Mexican 20 Peso Gold Coin contain  .4823 troy ounces, 15 grams of gold. First minted in 1917 and continued until 1959 and was part of the country’s efforts to establish a gold standard for its currency.

Many investors consider the design of the Gold Mexican 20 Pesos, or “Veinte Pesos”,  to be one of the most beautiful fractional gold coins available.

The reverse show cases a more modern version of the Coat of Arms, which depicts an eagle perched on a cactus in a lake with a snake in its beak. The obverse features the Aztec Calendar, also known as the Sun Stone, which pays homage to Mexico’s pre-Columbian heritage.

The coin’s aesthetic appeal makes it a favorite among collectors and investors. Annual mintages varied year to year, with some having significantly higher mintages than others.

As a fractional gold coin, 20 Pesos are an affordable way to enter into the gold market. Each coin is slightly less than 1/2 oz gold, making it good alternative to modern bullion coins.

50 Pesos Centenario Gold Coin

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The 50 Peso Gold Coin was minted by the Banco de Mexico between 1921 and 1947. It is also commonly referred to as the Centenario Gold Peso and contains approximately 1.2 troy ounces of pure gold, making it a substantial piece for both investors and collectors. It was first minted in 1921 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mexico’s independence from Spain.

It was the first gold bullion coin minted in large quantities, predating the South African Krugerrand by almost a half century. During the period of gold ownership prohibition from 1933 until 1974, collecting Centenario gold coins was a popular way to invest in gold, due to the numismatic clause in the restrictions.

The obverse features the image of Winged Victory, also known as El Angel, a symbol of Mexican Independence. Behind the statue in the background are the countries famous volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. The modern Libertad features a contemporary rendition of Winged Victory.

The reverse features the Mexican Coat of Arms.

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Low Premium Fractional Gold Coins

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20 Francs Gold Coins

An effective way to stack gold, either as a hedge or for financial security, is to buy low premium fractional gold coins. Some of the lowest premiums can be found in vintage gold coins. This include Pre-1933 US Mint gold coins as well as those that were minted throughout Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

Most coins of this era were intended for circulation and use in merchant trade. They are minted from the same 21.6k gold found in modern American Gold Eagles and Krugerrands. However, these fractional gold coins, such as the 20 Francs Gold Coins, often carry the lowest premiums when compared to modern bullion coins.

With uncertain economic times ahead and the anticipation of regulation in the cryptocurrency market there are many investors looking for a safer hedge. 

British Gold Sovereigns

The Gold Sovereign from Great Britain is one of the most common vintage gold bullion coins. The British Gold Sovereign has been minted since 1817, but it’s history dates back much further. 

Most incorporate the iconic image of King George slaying a dragon on the reverse, with a portrait of the reigning monarch at the time of minting gracing the obverse. 

Each British Gold Sovereign coin contains .2354 troy ounces of gold, just shy of a 1/4 troy ounce. There are dozens of variations of the Gold Sovereign, minted in 22k, 91.67% gold. 

Gold Sovereigns are widely recognized worldwide and are considered to be a very liquid bullion coin. Since each coin contains just shy of quarter ounce of gold it is easy to store a tremendous amount of wealth in a compact amount of space. 

Gold 20 Francs LMU

The Latin Monetary Union (LMU) was an establishment of a gold backed “Euro” currency. The LMU was established in 1865 by treaty between France, Switzerland and Italy. Other countries eventually joined, including Belgium, Spain and others. 

Each country was responsible for minting gold and silver coins that adhered to a standard based on the French Franc. The 20 Francs gold coins were minted by dozens of mints throughout Europe and other parts of the world by the millions spanning multiple decades. The United States even expressed interest in joining and developed several “pattern coins”, including the legendary Stella $4 gold coin. The Stella coin got its name from Latin translation of “star,” referring to the reverse.

The designs vary by country of origin, but most include a portrait of the reigning leader of the country at time of minting on the obverse. The reverse will also depend on the issuing country, but will often display the term “20 Francs” or some variation of it.

Some also include the local country currency as well. For example, the 20 Francs Coin from Italy also include “20 Lira”, the 20 Francs from Hungary includes the designation of “8 Forint”, Austria includes “8 Florin”, etc.

20 Francs Gold Coins have become very popular amongst stackers due to their low premiums and high liquidity. Each 20 Francs Gold Coin is minted from 90% gold and contains .1867 troy ounces of pure gold.

Popular 20 Francs Gold Coins include:

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Austria 1 ducat gold coin obverse

20 Francs Gold Helvetia from Switzerland
20 Francs Gold Rooster from France
20 Francs/20 Lire from Italy
Random 20 Francs

Gold Ducats from Austria & Hungary

The Gold Ducat was used as a trade coin. Trading merchants would use these gold coins to settle accounts for large transactions and international trade. The Ducat became popular with the Venetians when Venice was a popular trading destination. Many countries issued Gold Ducat coins.

Each Gold 1 Ducat coin contains roughly .1123 troy ounces of pure gold. Each coin is minted from 98.6% gold. Larger sizes were minted, including the 4 Ducat.

Austria 1 Ducat gold coin
Austria 4 Ducat gold coin

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20 Francs – A Fractional Gold Coin Ideal for Investing

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Fractional gold coins are a great way to invest and provide a less expensive and practical way to accrue and stack gold.

Having a portion of savings set aside in precious metals can help provide a stable safety net or hedge against inflation and other investments.

Most countries throughout the world utilized currency coinage that was minted of silver and gold throughout the 1800s and into the early 1900s. The French Franc currency played an extensive role throughout the era and around the world.

The Latin Monetary Union (LMU) was a trade treaty signed by numerous European countries in 1865 that established the franc as a unified common currency based on the gold standard that helped to shape global trade for many decades. The treaty thrust the 20 francs gold coins into a role as a fundamental coin of merchant trade. A role it played for nearly one hundred years.

Each member nation began minting gold coins to the same standards to circulate for international merchant trade. All 20 francs gold coins are minted with planchets created from an alloy of 90% gold and 10% copper. The coins are each 21 mm in diameter with an overall gross weight of 6.45 grams.

The actual gold weight in each 20 francs coin is 5.80 grams, the equivalent of .1867 troy ounces. A stack of five of these coins is almost an ounce of gold.

These are one of the most popular gold bullion coins for investors. Vintage gold 20 francs are government minted coins that are today sold as bullion for their intrinsic value. These are often the cheapest gold coins available and are perfect for stacking.

Below is a brief description of some of the coins that were minted by France from the early 1800s until the early 1900s.

The era in the history of France commonly referred to as the Napoleonic Wars and lasted from 1803 until 1815, led by Emperor Napoleon I. At the height of his power, the emperor and his vast armies had taken control of much of mainland Europe. The First French Empire spanned from the eastern shores of Spain to the southern tip of Italy, all the way to the borders of Russia.

Napoleon had an extensive impact on the lands he conquered, improving and modernizing society through liberal reforms. Along the way, the wars brought vast amounts of gold into the French Empire and most of it was minted into 20 francs gold coins.

Napoleon I 20 Francs

Napoleon I brought sweeping reforms throughout the country, and helped France win significant military victories, eventually being granted the title of Emperor of France in 1804.

There is a broad variety of 20 francs gold coins that were produced bearing portraits of Napoleon, across dozens of mints throughout the France, Italy and even as far away as the Netherlands.

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The 20 francs gold coins minted from 1804 until 1814 feature a leftward facing portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Bullion coins from this era can have a mix of obverse design as various portraits and titles were used throughout these years. The coins you receive when buying Napoleon I 20 Francs Gold coins are chosen at random from available inventory and could be from mix of years and mint marks.

The early coins featured a young Napoleon with hair cropped wavy and long that was carved by Pierre-Joseph Tiolier, General Coin Engraver from Paris. The first coins include the title Premier Consul inscribed surrounding the portrait. This was later updated to read “Empereur”.

Louis XVIII 20 Francs

Following Napoleon’s second exile from France, King Louis XVIII reigned from 1815 until his death in 1824. The gold coins minted during this era had a right facing effigy bust of Louis that was modified in 1816 to remove the appearance of the military dress uniform.

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The nude bust variation is the most common coin to find amongst random year Louis XVIII 20 francs gold coin.

The coins feature inscriptions on the front that include the name of King Louis XVIII, along with his title “ROI DE FRANCE”. The mark for the artist and engraver is incorporated below the portrait.

The reverse side of these coins contains a simple wreath motif that shows the face value and year-date of minting.

Charles X 20 Francs

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Charles X 20 Francs gold coin

The reign of King Charles X last from 1824 until 1830. During the short reign lasting just six years, the king lost popularity amongst the liberals of French society.

The conservative policies directed from his regime are largely responsible for leading to the July Revolution which deposed the ruler and put in place his more liberal cousin, King Louis Philippe I.

The portrait was engraved by medalist and sculptor Auguste-François Michaut with the obverse engraving bearing his name and title reading “CHARLES X ROI DE FRANCE”, which translates to “Charles X King of France”.

Roughly 1.5 million Charles X 20 francs gold coins were produced with this design across four French mints.

Louis Philippe I 20 Francs

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Louis Philippe I was nicknamed the “Citizen King” and served as the King from 1830 until 1848. Under his reign, known as the July Monarchy, the French economy was dominated and largely influence by wealthy industrialists and bankers

Louis Philippe expanded relations with Great Britain and sponsored colonial expansion, most notably with the acquisition of Algeria.

This king was considered a repressive ruler following his brother’s reign and many at the time felt him to be an illegitimate king. Many uprisings occurred in France throughout the 1830s, Louis-Philippe clamped down on dissent and gained a reputation for supporting the interests of the rich.

Many of the poorer class of citizens grew resentful and Louis-Philippe escaped from eight assassination attempts before he finally fled to England.

During his 18 years in power, the more than six million Louis-Philippe 20 Francs gold coins were minted at various minting facilities throughout the country. The obverse bust portrait was created by engraver Joseph-François Domard. The reverse depicts the crowned coat of arms enwreathed with the year-date of minting and legal-tender face value of 20 Francs.

Napoleon III 20 Francs

Napoleon III was President of the Republic of France from 1848 to 1852 and remained the last monarch until he was deposed in 1870. During his time leading the country he focused on building infrastructure for the country, leading to growth in the industrial base, economic expansion and the creation of new banks.

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The banks provided the funding for Napoleon III’s major projects, which included massive steamships to reach far away colonies and railways and canals to connect the country’s major cities and trade hubs, and the rebuilding of Paris. Funding from the banks was funneled into developing new neighborhoods that are among the most famous and prominent amongst the Right Bank, such as rue de Rivoli, Opéra, and place de l’Etoile.

Various styles of the Napoleon III 20 Francs Gold coin were minted under his reign with two similar, though notably different obverse designs that commonly circulated during this period that are frequently found when buying random 20 francs gold coins.  

The first, issued from 1853 until 1860 featured a rightward facing Napoleon III that was created from a portrait by artist Jean-Jacques Barre. The portrait features a bare headed emperor. More than 135 million gold coins were minted with this design over the seven year period making it a popular coin with bullion investors. These 20 francs gold Napoleon III coins have maintained their intrinsic value for more than 150 years due to the underlying gold content.

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The second 20 francs Napoleon III gold coin was minted from 1861 until the end of his reign in 1870. The coin features a similar portrait, the primary difference appears to be that the monarch wearing a laurel wreath upon his head. More than 50 million of these coins were minted during this 18 year period.

It is very common to receive these as bullion coins when buying random year 20 francs gold coins, which remain incredible popular with investors. These coins were minted in mass quantities due to the establishment of the Latin Monetary Union during this period.

Lucky Angel 20 Francs

After the second exile of Napoleon III, the country turned to focus on more domestic measure starting with the Paris Commune in 1871. The Génie coin, often referred to as the Lucky Angel gold coin, was minted from 1871 until 1898.

The obverse design for the coin was created by artist and medallic sculptor Augustin Dupré who was the student of the sculptor David. The French Revolution gave him the opportunity to develop his art of engraving medals for soldiers as well as various coins. The iconic image on this coin represents the Guardian Angel Genius writing the constitution fresh on a blank tablet.

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20 Francs Lucky Angel Gold Coin 1871-1898

The genie is turned to the right and is writing the word “constitution” on a table laid on a stone pillar. Other French cultural symbols are hidden in the design such as the cockerel, the lictor beam with the hand of justice above. The words “Republique Française” are written above the angel and Dupré’s signature mark can be found at the bottom.

The reverse design takes some added freedom in its departure from the previous designs. The traditional wreath and denomination value remain on the reverse in the center. In addition, inscriptions were added that instill some of the cultural values of the French people, including “Liberte”, “Egalite” and “Fraternite”.

More than 95 million 20 Francs gold Lucky Angel coins were minted from 1871 to 1898, with many surviving coins available today makes it one of the most popular fractional bullion coins for investors.

20 Francs Rooster Gold Coin

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20 Francs Gold Rooster

The 20 Francs Gold Rooster was minted from 1899 until 1914. It is the last of the French 20 Francs Gold coins that was intended for circulation. Over 117,000,000 gold coins were minted. The denomination (known as the Franc Germinal) was in continual use through the 19th and 20th centuries.

The obverse of the coin has a profile of Marianne, the Goddess of Liberty who is symbolic of the French Republic. She is a symbol with origins in the 3rd French Republic and is a personification of liberty and reason. Inscribed around her are the words “République Française”.

The reverse displays a portrait of Le Coq Gaulois or Gallic Rooster, colloquially named Chantecler. The reverse includes the date and legal tender face value and is surrounded with the words “Liberté Egalité Fraternitén”, values that are still preserved in the culture of France today.

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Comparing Government Backed Sovereign Gold Coins

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Bullion has been cherished, worshipped, valued, exchanged and recognized as the oldest, most natural and pure form of money for thousands of years.

Historians and archaeologists have unearthed and documented many examples of coins struck from precious metals from ancient civilizations and cultures that date back thousands of years in China, India and Ancient Greece.

Gold Coins have been a mainstay in the global economy and international trade since colonial times when the 20 Francs Gold Coin and British Gold Sovereign spread around the world.

Many other European countries joined the Latin Monetary Union during the mid-19th century, with many colonial expeditions returning large quantities of gold to Belgium, Portugal, Spain, France and Great Britain.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the United States was on a gold-based economy. Both gold coins and silver coins were in circulation and in everyday daily use.

Liberty Gold Eagle Coins, the Famous Gold Indian, and the St-Gauden’s Gold $20 Double Eagle coins are notable examples of some of the beautifully designed coins that were mass produced and in everyday use before gold was removed by Roosevelt in 1933.

Most of these coins were confiscated from private citizens in exchange for fiat paper reserve notes during the Great Depression.

Federal Reserve bankers and politicians in the 1930s believed that the private ownership of gold was a contributing factor in stalling the recovery of the economy following the Great Depression.

Today, investment coins from the US Mint represent a trusted, government backed gold bullion product that is respected and recognized worldwide.

The American Gold Eagle Series was established by Congress with the Liberty Coin Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-185). This bullion coin series is widely recognized and respected worldwide for its authenticity and purity.

The number of coins manufactured each year varies on demand from investors. The coins are minted based on sales. This helps the US Mint to implement a business model that allows for flexibility in scaling capacity.

This year, it has been widely reported that the US Mint has been unable to keep up with investor demand for the first time in the 36 year history of minting bullion coins.

This has led to consumers experiencing significant increase premiums of products from the US Mint, with some speculating that recent consolidation amongst mint suppliers, wholesalers and retail distribution channels by A-Mark being one of the contributing factors.

Additionally, issues with delivery of blank planchet from private industry refiners have been amplified by pandemic related supply-chain problems has also been a factor in Mint officials deciding to cancel both the 2022 Morgan and Peace Silver Dollar Coins.

In the American Gold Eagle series, the US Mint produces  4 distinct denominations of size, weight and face value gold coins that are suitable for gold investors.

The blank planchets that are minted into bullion coins are sourced from select private mints which use documented refineries that source raw materials as described by law.

Many stackers are searching to buy alternatives to gold eagle coins to save on premiums.

For new precious metals investors, the process of learning about all of the available options, researching and shopping for gold coins can be an intimidating task.

Even for experienced and seasoned investors, the process at times at be daunting and confusing.

Gold Coin Categories

One simple way to think about gold coins for investment and a store of value or wealth is look at the options available in the market for both Historic Gold Coins and Modern Gold Coins.

Historic Gold Coins

Throughout history, many countries around the world have based their international trade with other countries based upon agreed upon standards of various amounts of gold and silver as established by treaties.
Some of the most commonly available gold bullion coins were minted by European countries beginning in the mid-19th century.

The large scale minting of gold bullion coins in Europe coincided with much of the colonial expansion and development of the New World.

Gold coins were minted and in regular circulation in many countries up through the mid-20th century. For today’s stackers, historic European gold bullion coins are one of the lowest premium fractional gold investments available.
Investors can typically buy some of the most popular historic gold coins, such as the 20 francs and British Gold Sovereigns at premiums that are significantly lower than current year government bullion coins.

20 Francs Gold Coins

The Latin Monetary Union was formed by European monarchs and political leaders to create a new standard based around the French Franc.

The specifications for the gold franc is was defined in the LMU treaty.

The 20 Francs Gold Coin was minted by numerous countries, including France, Belgium and Austria, with some being minted at colonial mints.

20 Francs Gold Coins
Swiss 20 Francs Gold Helvetia

Many countries abandoned the LMU treaty as a result of World War I and it was officially disbanded in 1927.

Some countries continued to mint coins to the LMU standards following the ending of the trade agreement. Most notably, Switzerland with the 20 Francs Helvetia or Vrenelli (goldvreneli) being officially minted until 1936.

All 20 Francs gold coins from Switzerland with dates beyond 1936 are considered restrikes. One of the most common and popular gold bullion restrike coins for stacking that is available from online bullion dealers continues to be the Swiss 20 Francs Helvetia Gold Coin.

Regardless of the country of origin, each 20 francs gold coin is minted with .1867 troy ounces of pure gold.

During the late 1800s, the United States had considered joining the LMU. In 1879 and 1880, several “pattern coins” were designed by notable sculptors Charles Barber and George Morgan that were proposed as part of the consideration.

The most famous example is the Gold Stella coin. In 1880, the US Mint produced 425 “Stella” gold coin to specifications that were similar to the LMU requirements, with a face value of $4 USD.

British Gold Sovereign

The British Gold Sovereign coin entered circulation in 1817. The coin was minted with an alloy mixed of .917 gold, .083 copper or other metals.

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Gold Sovereign Coins from the British Empire are a low premium alternative to 1/4 gold eagles.

From the mid-1850s until 1932, gold sovereigns were also minted worldwide at mints that were part of the British Colonial Empire. These include coins with mint marks from Australia and later in Canada, South Africa and India.This provides some additional interest for stackers with a passion for history or numismatics.

Each gold sovereign coin has an overall mass of 7.98805 grams with .2354 troy ounces of pure gold.British Gold Sovereign coins are an excellent low-premium alternative to the quarter ounce gold eagle.

Pre-1933 Gold Coins from the US Mint

The US Constitution helps to define some aspects of the US economy and its early reliance on a Gold Standard, as much of the rest of the world.

In Article I, Section 10, Clause 1 of the US Constitution that helps to define the powers of the States, constrains each state to the issuance of only coins made from gold or silver.

Gold Coins were an essential part of the economy following the American Revolution. For the first 157 years of US history, gold coins were circulated instead of paper fiat reserve notes.

Courts have ruled that this Constitutional definition only applies to States and not to the Federal Reserve, which is a privately controlled central bank responsible for issuance of paper fiat currency backed by gold in Fort Knox and other vault locations.

Criminalization of Gold Ownership

In 1933, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 6102, which ordered the government to confiscate gold from citizens as part of the recovery efforts from the economic struggles of the Great Depression.

It was expected that the gold coins would be repatriated by the US Treasury and melted back into gold bars for deep storage. US Government Reserves include almost 261,500,000 troy ounces of gold.

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Circulated $5 Liberty Half Eagle Gold Coin

Many defiant citizens refused to exchange their gold coins for worthless paper and stashed the coins away for their intrinsic value.

Today, many online bullion dealers offer these Pre-1933 US Gold Coins in various circulated conditions. Stacking these coins is a great way to store wealth.

Modern Gold Coins

Secondary Market American Gold Eagles

Premiums on the 2022 Gold Eagle coin series are the highest they have ever been and investor demand has never been higher.

For investors and stackers who insist on only buying fractional gold eagles, the lowest premium and most popular choice is to buy secondary market or random year gold eagles.

Throughout the normal course of business, dealers regularly buy, sell and trade gold coins from private investors.

Many of these coins are backdated gold eagles that had been originally sold in the year in which they were minted.

In some cases, these coins will be delivered in brilliant uncirculated (BU) condition. It is most common that these coins will exhibit some type of minor imperfections. Such as slight fingerprints or maybe some tiny scratches from being handled.

This does not have any impact on the monetary value or intrinsic value of the gold. Buying secondary market fractional gold eagles is one of the ways serious gold stackers save on premiums.

These will be Gold Eagles that were minted and released by the US Mint in previous years.

After dealers buy these coins from investors who are selling, the coins are then resold, often with a significant discount when compared to current year coins.

Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coins

Gold Maple Leaf coins are minted by the Royal Canadian Mint annually.

The coin series was introduced in 1979 with a design that has received several enhancements throughout the years.

From 1979 until 1982, gold maple leaf coins were minted from .999 fine gold. Near the end of 1982, the RCM upgraded their refining process and increased the purity of the maple leaf coins to .9999 fine gold.

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$10 Maple Leaf Gold Coin

The high level of 24k gold purity in Maple Leaf Gold coins has long been one of the defining characteristics that has set it apart from other government issued bullion coins available in the marketplace.

Premiums on Gold Maples are most often available at a significant discount when compared to gold eagles.

South African Gold Krugerrand

The South African government was the first to issue a gold bullion coin exclusively as a vehicle for investors in 1967 with the iconic Gold Krugerrand.

However, in the United States, citizens still faced arrest and criminal prosecution for owning more than 5 troy ounces of gold until Public Law 93-373 was signed by President Ford in August 1974.

Several months later Ford issued Executive Order 11825, which repealed Roosevelts criminal categorization of gold ownership.

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Gold 1/2 oz Krugerrand

In 1974 and 1975 more than 8 million Krugerrand 1 oz gold coins were minted.

In the decade that followed, 31 million more coins were minted until prohibitions and sanctions against the South African government were put in place in response the ongoing policies related to Apartheid.

Random Year Gold Krugerrand Coins are available in fractional and 1 troy ounce denominations.

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eBay Bucks 5% Cash Back When you Buy Gold Coins

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When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a small commission. More information about our affiliate programs can be found here.

eBay launched a new eBay Bucks promo offering 5% cash back on eligible purchases. 

Bullion is an excluded category.

Silver & Gold coins and items listed in other categories do earn eBay Bucks rewards. 

Buying low premium vintage gold coins and circulated 90% junk silver is one strategy many buyers use to reduce the dollar-cost average of their investment.

These topics and discussion of other strategies for leveraging eBay Bucks can be researched online. 

The best values are usually in historic circulated sovereign gold bullion coins. Examples of these coins include:

  • British Gold Sovereigns
  • 20 Francs Gold Coins
  • Pre-1933 US Mint Gold Coins
  • Mexican Gold Pesos
  • Dutch Gold Guilders

There are some modern bullion coins that are eligible for earning eBay Bucks also. Some examples include:

  • US Mint Gold Commemorative Coins
    • $5 Gold Commemorative Coins contain roughly 1/4 troy ounce of pure gold.
    • $10 Gold Commemorative Coins have approximately 1/2 troy ounce of gold.
  • Modern graded gold collectible coins, such as:
    • Mexican Libertad Gold Coins

eBay Bucks can be spent on Bullion and other items that aren’t eligible for earnings. 

If you still have eBay Bucks from last quarter, those rewards can be applied to bullion and coin purchases.

Utilizing this program is a way to get an additional 5% cash back rewards on gifts and purchases from eBay that can later be used towards bullion.

You can check to see if you’re eligible for the offer by visiting the Offer Activation page on eBay.

You can learn more about the program, including how to sign up for eBay Bucks on the eBay website.

This promotion was announced by eBay on Monday February 21, 2022. The promotions run through midnight on February 23, 2022.

Find hundreds of eBay Bucks eligible silver and gold listings on FindBullionPrices.com

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The History of the 20 Francs Gold Coin

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20 Francs Gold Coins

Even though most were minted well over 100 years ago, 20 Francs Gold Coins continue to be one of the most popular fractional gold coins today.

The 20 Francs Gold Coin began as a French coin in 1800 during the First Empire. The first coins were struck in Turin while it was under French control following the Battle of Marengo. The coin featured a helmeted soldier facing left wearing a laurel wreath upon his head.

In 1803, the Napoleon coin was introduced by Napoleon Bonaparte. The obverse of the coin featured a left facing bust of Napoleon I surrounded by the words “BONAPARTE PREMIER CONSUL”.

Latin Monetary Union

During the first half of the 19th century, the 20 Franc Napoleon gold coin circulated throughout France. By the mid 1800’s, Napoleon III, the nephew of Napoleon I envisioned a unified Europe. By treaty on December 23, 1865, France, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland formed the Latin Monetary Union (LMU).

A unified currency was created by the LMU that would be used for trade and recognized by all four countries. The new currency implemented by the LMU would be a bimetallism standard based on the French Franc. Each LMU Franc represented 4.5 grams of fine silver or .290322 grams of fine gold.

Several years later, Greece joined the original four countries in the treaty. Spain and Romania considered joining and made attempts to conform their currency to LMU standards. Austria-Hungary rejected bimetallism and refused to join, but later signed a treaty with France to mint some of their gold currency to LMU standards.

By 1873, the LMU had moved to a gold standard due to increasing silver imports dampening prices.

LMU member countries were responsible for the minting of millions of 20 Franc gold coins. Today, the most popular of these coins are:

Other common variations of the 20 Francs that are common to find to buy for a low premium over spot price include 20 Francs from Belgium and 20 Lira Gold Coins from Italy.