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Tangible Assets: US Mint Pre-1933 Gold Coins

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As tangible assets, vintage gold coins can diversify an investment portfolio, reducing risk by spreading exposure across different asset types. Many investment advisors recommend precious metals as a safe haven since prices remain relatively stable to the dollar to offset the volatility that can come in the stock market. Tangible assets are an alternative investments that can diversify an existing investment portfolio and provide protection against inflation.

Gold coins can bring unique diversity to an existing investment portfolio, while expanding on an interest in numismatics or history. Beyond potential financial gains, the process of collecting, studying, and preserving historical coins can morph into a numismatic hobby.

Prior to the Great Depression, gold coins were the normal and natural form of money and in common circulation throughout the world. While the government recalled millions and melted them down, millions more were saved from the smelters due to limited personal ownership exemptions in the law, along with exemptions for coins having numismatic value.

During the era of the gold standard, gold coins were the preferred and accepted method of trade and commerce. In recent years, many well preserved Pre-1933 US Mint gold coins have been discovered in historic “hoards” from European vaults, such as the well known Rive d’Or Collection, discovered in a bank in Paris and released in 2008.

Coins having historical significance often appreciate in value, especially those in good condition, with rare mint marks, from limited mintages, those connected with special collections and other particulars. Owning some of these tangible assets can bring personal satisfaction and a sense of connection to the past, in addition to the intrinsic value of the gold.

There are known counterfeits that circulate in the market from time to time, most often from shady sellers. These are easily discovered due to the widespread industry use XRF along with the more affordable devices like the Precious Metals Verifier from Sigma. These devices have become an indispensable tool for local coin shops, pawn shops, “we buy gold” stores, jewelry stores.

As a way to reduce risk, many investors choose third-party graded gold coins from companies such as NGC and PCGS. Coins that have been graded and encapsulated by these types of services have been verified as authentic. Based on an expert analysis, a grade and unique serial number are assigned to each coin during the review process, which can later be used to verify authenticity.

In addition to the Sigma, there are a variety of other devices that assist hobbyists, numismatists and investors to verify authentic products and reduce risk.

US Mint Pre-1933 Gold Coins

American gold coins from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are a favorite for many investors and collectors, due to the connection to our history. While these coins have been held by collectors and investors for nearly 100 years, they are among the most widely recognized throughout the world.

1927 St Gaudens Double Eagle Gold Coin

Pre-1933 gold coins from the US Mint were minted to standards defined by the Coinage Act of 1792 and updated in 1849 and again in 1873. The original Act defined three distinct denominations, the larger $20 Double Eagle was defined in the updated Act.

  • $10 Eagle – Defined with 247 4/8 grains of pure gold or 270 grains of standard gold. The accepted
    standard for coin gold during the era was 90% purity, or .900 fineness. This accounted for a significant amount of gold, while being alloyed with a small amount of more durable metals like copper for added strength for circulations. Each $10 gold eagle coin is minted with 0.4838 troy ounces of gold.
  • $5 Half Eagle – Defined with 123 6/8 grains of pure gold or 135 grains of standard gold. Each $5 gold eagle coin is minted with 0.2419 troy ounces of gold.
  • $2.50 Quarter Eagle – Defined with 61 7/8 grains of pure gold or 67 4/8 grains of standard gold. Each $2.50 Quarter Eagle gold coin is minted with 0.121 troy ounces of gold.
  • $20 Double Eagle – Define as the twenty-dollar piece, five hundred and sixteen grains of standard gold.

The California Gold Rush created a huge increase in the inflow of gold flowing into the U.S. Treasury, creating the need for a new denominations to handle the influx. The Coinage Act of 1849 authorized the production of the $20 Double Eagle, which was the largest denomination for a regular issue U.S. gold coin at the time. The Act also established the specifications for the $1 gold coin.

The Liberty Head double eagle or Coronet double eagle was introduced as a pattern coin by the US Mint in 1849 and entered production in 1850. Each $20 Double Eagle Gold Coin is minted with 0.9675 troy ounce of gold. The Double Eagle had an overall weight of 33.436 grams and was made from 90% gold and 10% copper alloy, maintaining the standard for U.S. gold coins.

Throughout its mintage history from 1850 until 1933, more $20 Double Eagle Gold Coins were issued than all of the other denomination. Today, these coins are highly sought after by both investors and collectors, particularly those that are third-party graded and in mint state condition.

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Investing in Vintage Gold Coins

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Many vintage gold coins come with a rich history that provides a tangible connection to a bygone era, something that modern bullion doesn’t offer in the same way. These coins represent ancient empires, defunct monarchies and bygone eras from when many economies were on a gold-standard, which can be intriguing to investors and collectors alike.

For investors who value gold as a store of wealth, vintage gold coins are seen as reliable in terms of their gold content. Given that they were minted under a standardized system, there’s a level of trust regarding their purity and weight. Because of their connection to history, they also serve as collectible items and as tangible assets with intrinsic value.

These coins were minted during an era when the world economy was based on the trusted gold-standard. Intended for circulation, most of these coins were minted with an alloy of .900 fine gold, with the remainder a more durable metal, most typically copper.

While all gold coins carry intrinsic value due to their metal content, vintage coins can also have numismatic value. The numismatic value depends on collector demand, rarity, historical significance, condition, other attributes and can fluctuate based on market conditions.

US Mint Pre-1933 Gold Coins

US Mint Pre-1933 Gold Coins

Gold coins minted by the United States prior to 1933 are an investment choice that is part of history. These coins often carry a numismatic premium and most trade at a premium over spot, unless in very poor or damaged condition.

When the government ordered the seizure of gold in 1933, not everyone complied with the order. Some people simply chose to keep their gold and hoped that they wouldn’t get caught. The actual enforcement of the executive order was primarily targeted prosecution against vocal opponents of the seizure. A historical use of the courts to create examples of political foes and propagandizing the media to instill fear into the people.

The executive order made exceptions for gold coins with recognized special value to collectors of rare and unusual coins, which meant numismatic (collectible) coins were exempt. Many individuals claimed their gold coins held collectible or numismatic value, even if they were relatively common.

With the passage of Public Law 93–373, signed by President Gerald Ford on August 14, 1974, Americans regained the right to own gold, which had profound implications for the gold market, the economy, and individual financial freedom. The law repealed the restrictions on private ownership of gold that had been in place since President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 6102 in 1933, reflecting a changing view toward gold ownership and the role of gold in the U.S. financial system.

Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins represent an era in American numismatics before the significant gold recall and meltdown. Owning these coins is akin to holding a tangible piece of American history.

In addition to their bullion value, many pre-1933 gold coins have numismatic or collector value. Rarity, condition, mint marks, and historical significance can make certain coins particularly sought after by collectors. Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins like the Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle and the Liberty Head design are well recognized among coin dealers and collectors worldwide. Their gold content and purity are consistent and widely accepted.

Mexican Peso Gold Coins

Mexico City is home to the oldest mint in North America, established in 1535 under decree of the Spanish Crown. Vintage Mexican Gold Peso coins are some of the most beautifully designed gold coins in the world.

The Mexican gold peso, especially the “Centenario” 50 pesos coin, holds a notable place in the realm of gold coinage. The smaller denominations of Mexican gold peso coins, namely the 2, 2.5, and 5 gold peso coins, were introduced in various periods of the 20th century as both commemorative and circulating coins.

Introduced in 1921 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mexico’s independence from Spain, the Centenario became a mainstay in the international gold market. Its purity and the reputation of the Mexican Mint made it a trusted coin for international trade, especially in regions with close economic ties to Mexico.

The smaller denominations of Mexican gold peso coins were introduced in various periods of the 20th century as a reliable store of value. Most of these coins have seen limited circulation because of the high gold content.

European Gold Coins

Most countries in Europe minted gold coins during the 17th, 18th, 19th and even into the early 20th century. Most were intended for use in merchant trade were widely circulated. Although today they are mainly considered bullion coins, many are in surprisingly good condition for their age and can have additional numismatic value.

20 Francs

20 Francs Gaelic Rooster

The Latin Monetary Union (LMU) was a 19th-century to unify several European currencies into a single gold-standard based around the French Franc, which facilitated trade and commerce among member nations. The LMU established standardized weights, denominations and purity specifications for the gold or silver content of coins.

The coins were minted to a common specification that could be used in all member states, similar to how the Euro is used today across the Eurozone.

Many gold coins from LMU member states, like the French Gold Rooster or the Swiss Vreneli, have become iconic. These coins feature designs that resonate with the culture and history of their respective nations.

Although the weight and purity of the gold were standardized across LMU members, each country had its own design for these coins. For instance:

  • France had the “Napoleon” coin depicting Napoleon III.
  • Switzerland’s 20 franc coin featured the bust of Vreneli.
  • Italy had the 20 lire coin with designs such as King Victor Emmanuel II.
  • Belgium, Greece, and other member and affiliated states had their distinct designs.

The gold content in 20 franc coins is consistent, set to 0.1867 troy ounces (5.805 grams) of gold. This makes them easy to trade, as their gold value is straightforward to calculate. Because they are not as actively minted as modern bullion coins, and their fractional size, the premiums on 20 franc coins can be lower than on more popular gold bullion coins, offering a cost-effective way to invest in gold. Their smaller size compared to a one-ounce gold coin makes them more affordable for individual investors, allowing for more incremental investments.

Gold Sovereign

By the latter half of the 19th century and early 20th century, the gold sovereign had become the “chief coin of the world,” circulating widely not just in the British Empire but also in international markets and areas outside direct British influence. It was a favored coin for international trade and was often held in central banks as a reserve currency.

The Royal Mint established branches in Sydney (1855), Melbourne (1872), and Perth (1899). Australian sovereigns can be identified by mintmarks S, M, or P respectively and were minted until 1931.

The Ottawa branch of the Royal Mint in Canada produced sovereigns from 1908 to 1919. The Pretoria branch minted sovereigns from 1923. The Bombay branch of the Royal Mint produced sovereigns only in 1918.

Dutch Gulden

The Dutch 10 Gulden coin is a notable gold coin from the Netherlands that holds historical and numismatic significance and was part of the country’s currency system before the adoption of the Euro.

The 10 Gulden gold coins were minted at various times during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The designs of the coins featured the reigning monarch of the Netherlands at the time of minting. For instance, coins from the late 19th and early 20th centuries commonly bore the likeness of King Willem III or Queen Wilhelmina. The reverse side typically featured the national coat of arms and the denomination.

Netherlands 10 Gulden Gold Coin

These coins are prized by collectors for their historical significance, gold content, and artistic design. The value of a 10 Gulden coin can vary based on its condition, rarity, and the specific year of minting as well as the intrinsic value of the .1947 troy ounces of gold.

The 10 Gulden gold coins are a reflection of the Netherlands’ rich history and its economic status during the times they were minted. They were part of a broader system of gold-based currency that was common in Europe prior to World War I and the subsequent shift to fiat currencies.

Given their gold content and historical significance, Dutch 10 Gulden coins are sought after by both gold investors and numismatic collectors. They offer a glimpse into the Dutch monetary history and are considered valuable pieces in European gold coin collections.

In summary, the Dutch 10 Gulden coin is a historic gold coin that represents a significant period in the monetary history of the Netherlands. Its collectability stems from its gold content, artistic designs, and the historical context under which it was minted.

Conclusion

Beyond their intrinsic gold content, vintage coins can have additional numismatic or collector’s value. Coins that are rare, in high demand, or in excellent condition can command prices significantly above their melt value.

Vintage gold coins provide an alternative avenue for diversifying a precious metals portfolio. While modern bullion may track the spot price of gold more directly, vintage coins can have value fluctuations based on their rarity, demand, and condition, offering a different investment dynamic.

Older coins often feature intricate designs and craftsmanship that differ from modern coins. The artistry of past eras, combined with the historical context, can make vintage coins more appealing to some collectors and investors. Holding a vintage gold coin provides a tangible connection to a bygone era, something that modern bullion doesn’t offer in the same way. vintage gold coins offer both tangible and intangible benefits that extend beyond mere gold content. Their historical, artistic, and numismatic aspects make them a favored choice for many collectors and investors with an appreciation for history and artistry.

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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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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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Understanding Investment Grade Gold Coins

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vintage gold coins

While ETFs like SLV and GLD may help balance out your stock portfolio, the crypto markets continue to raise anxiety for investors, tucking away some gold coins in a discrete location can give you financial security and peace of mind. Gold Coins are an investment that you want to hold and it’s a wise idea to have a stack.

A key concept to understand is that gold ownership is a store of wealth. When you buy coins minted of precious metals you are transferring your hard-earned fiat currency into a physical asset. The value of gold is driven by the commodities markets, central bank buying and its innovative use by industry.

Which Gold Coin is Ideal for Stacking?

All major gold bullion coins that are manufacturered by government backed mints are widely recognized worldwide. While the full one troy ounce of gold coin is the most popular, various fractional ounce sizes are available for investors of all budgets.

The allure and luster of pure 24k gold is part of what draws investors to some coins. They prefer the beauty, color and the way pure gold reflects light.

Other investors have a preference for stacking coins that are more practical and made for the rigors of circulating in the economy. Modern and vintage 22k gold coins contain an alloy that incorporates other metals for durability and scratch resistance when handling.

The prestigious 1 ounce Gold American Buffalo from the US Mint is one of the best selling pure gold coins. This coin is highly revered for the immaculate detail in the design. However, the Gold Maple Leaf, Britannia and a variety of gold coins from the Perth Mint are also the same purity and often available for a significantly lower price from one or more online bullion dealers for the same amount of gold.

Modern Gold Coins

The US Mint produces millions of gold coins each year in the Eagle and Buffalo series’ plus a variety of commemorative issues that highlight and celebrate American values and culture.

Various laws passed by Congress require that the US Mint to charge wholesalers a premium over spot price to cover the costs of manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution of newly minted coins. The pandemic lockdowns caused a chain reaction that led to increasing costs along the entire supply chain from mine to mint.

Sovereign owned mints, such as those in Canada, Europe and Asia also have large-scale operations for producing coins for investment. Lower foreign manufacturing costs combined with other market-driving factors put the prices of these legal tender coins at a lower premium over spot than those produced domestically.

Even though they have a nominal face value in a foreign currency, most are also eligible for inclusion in a precious metals IRA based on their legal-tender status and gold purity.

Vintage Gold Coins

Long before the invention of paper money and fiat, gold has a long traditional history as money that has proven to stand the test of time. Pure gold is very soft and easily damaged during circulation. Many vintage gold coins are minted from a 22k gold alloy, which blends other metals such as copper and silver to provide rigidness.

Gold coins were the acceptable currency for everyday spending, making major purchases and for international trade.

The lust for gold and wealth was the primary driver of Colonial expansion during the 18th and early 19th centuries.

European kings and monarchs built mints in far away places to create coins from their newly acquired riches. The Spanish were the first to establish a mint in North America in 1535 to melt down Aztec treasures into Spanish gold escudos coins.

The British established a branch of the Royal Mint in Western Australia to mint Gold Sovereign coins that later become the Perth Mint.

For hundreds of years, coins such as British Gold Sovereigns, the 20 francs and other European gold coins like the Gold Corona were minted with qualities that made them ideal for circulation and to withstand generations.

Gold is Insurance Against CBDC

The record amounts of stockpiling by central banks is recent years is a top indication that there is a global economic shift towards a gold-backed currency for international trade.

Many countries, particularly in the Middle East, Africa and Asia have been ramping up their gold buying in preparation for the introduction of a BRICS+ commodity-based basket currency.

Gold is a unique physical asset that is easily exchangeable into cash. Having a portion of your savings outside of the traditional banking system that is controlled by the government and central banks gives you more control of your money and your future.

The Federal Reserve and White House have both announced plans to roll out a CBDC. Many are correct in their beliefs that the government will attempt to force the use of a programmable currency in the coming years as the state of the economy worsens.

Owning even a small investment in gold coins can provide peace of mind and financial security that is expected to come with a collapse of our current financial system in the coming years.

Practical Gold Preps

It’s growing harder for families to maintain a budget when the cost of basic groceries and gas to fill up the car increases with each passing week.

Being able to set aside enough cash savings to cover a few months of expenses is nearly impossible in the current climate of skyrocketing inflation, alongside continually rising interest rates and massive layoffs in the job market.

The importance of having a stable, trusted and reliable store of value has never been more critical than it is today.

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Is it legal to own Precious Metals?

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For over 40 years, from 1933 until 1974, the US government made it illegal for citizens to own gold.

Thanks to President Gerald Ford, it is legal for everyone to own gold, silver and other precious metals since 1974.

History of Precious Metals Prohibition

In the early 20th century paper currency was far less common than today. Paper bills were often only available in large denominations commercial and interbank transactions. Much of the currency in circulation was coinage minted of silver and gold alloys.

Economies were still based on the gold-standard. The coins in circulation were minted of 21k gold, which is a mixture of 90% gold and 10% copper for strength and wear resistance during everyday circulation.

Gold coins before 1933 were minted in denominations that include the $2.50 (quarter eagle), $5.00 (half eagle), $10 (eagle) and $20 (double eagle).

In 1921, following the end of the first World War, the Morgan Silver Dollar was replaced with the Peace Silver Dollar. Both coins were composed of an alloy containing a mix of 90% silver and 10% copper. The amount of pure silver in each $1 USD coin being 0.7734 troy ounces.

Also during that time smaller denominations of coins, including the dime, quarter and half-dollar, we also minted from the same silver and copper mixture. The US Mint continued to issue 90% silver coins through 1964.

When clad coins began to circulate in 1965, some citizens remembered the gold seizure that happened thirty-two years early.

The roaring 20’s led to the Great Depression. Wall Street Banks, along with regional banks under purview of the young Federal Reserve system were happy to give out margin loans, unsecured credit in fiat currency.

During the economic hardship many people lost faith in the banking system. Instead of depositing cash into banks, many people turned to hoarding cash at home in the form of gold and silver coins.

During the Great Depression, Roosevelt used an obscure and obsolete piece of legislation meant to prevent the German government to profit from patents in the United States during the World War I as justification for his numerous Executive Orders to confiscate gold coins from the economy.

On April 5, 1933, after enduring several years of the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 6102.

With the swipe of his pen, Roosevelt made it a crime for any US citizen to own gold coins, gold bullion or even gold certificates, which were a form of gold-backed fiat currency that was exchangeable for gold. In exchange, the government offered citizens $20.67 in fiat for each ounce of gold that was surrendered.

All gold was ordered to be surrendered to the government. Within the first thirty days the Treasury was able to collect roughly one third of the $1,400,000,000 in gold that was in circulation.

Any person who failed to comply with the presidential order faced imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000. Many private citizens and investors were put on a list, targeted, arrested, prosecuted, fined, imprisoned and had their gold seized.

The order did exempt some items. Such as jewelry, numismatic collectibles, items used by industry, some professions and artists.

In defiance to the order, people drilled holes or attached hasps to the coins to convert coins into pendants to hang on a chain to meet the minimum standard of jewelry.

The seizures, arrests and prosecutions of those who did not surrender their gold continued for most of 1933. Roosevelt signed additional Executive Orders throughout the year.

One of which gave the Justice Department the authority to build a list of citizens suspected to be ‘gold hoarders’. Essentially acting as a government backed gestapo.

During the summer of 1933, agents from the Justice Department visited the homes of “known hoarders of gold” to confiscate more than $38,901,009 worth of gold.

The Emergency Banking Act of 1933 was supposed to help restore faith in the banking system and the economy after the Federal Reserve led the country into the Great Depression.

The prohibition on private ownership of gold continued for 41 years.

Nixon Shock

During the early 1970s, Nixon was facing rising unemployment, high inflation, the looming oil crisis and political foes. In August of 1971, the President called together top economic advisors for a secret meeting at Camp David.

Notable participants in the meeting included Federal Reserve Chairman Arthur Burns and Treasury Secretary John Connally. Also present, then Undersecretary for International Monetary Affairs and future Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker.

Following this meeting Richard Nixon authorized then Treasury Secretary John Connally to break the Bretton Woods Agreement that had defined the rules of international trade amongst many countries following World War II.

Without consulting any international leaders, the actions included the immediate suspension of the “gold standard”.

Nixon directed the Treasury Secretary to abolish the convertibility of dollars into gold through the London Gold Pool. This also removed the fixed price of gold from $35 an ounce to a market based system.

By 1973, the US gold standard that was established by Bretton Woods had been replaced. The new system based on free floating exchange of fiat currencies.

Following the resignation of Nixon, one of the first laws signed by President Ford included a bill which reversed Roosevelt’s Executive Orders.

The bill authorized expansion of the World Bank and included provisions that legalized citizens full authority to purchase, hold, sell, or otherwise deal with gold in the United States or abroad. It has been legal for anyone to own, hoard, buy and sell gold in the United States since December 1, 1974.

The gold bull run that followed culminated in a price peak of $850 USD per ounce in January 1980.

Sovereign Gold Bullion Market

The Gold Krugerrand was the first gold bullion coins to be sold to investors when it debuted in 1967.

At the time, apartheid sanctions against South Africa made it difficult to invest in Gold Krugerrands. The top gold coins of the day included the Gold 100 Corona from Austria and the Mexican 50 Pesos Gold Coin. These vintage gold coins have maintained their popularity with investors.

In 1979, the Royal Canadian Mint introduced the first mintage of the Maple Leaf 1 oz Gold Coin.

The basic design of the Canadian Maple Leaf 1 oz Gold Coin has remained largely unchanged since its creation.

The US Mint made several failed attempts during the early 1980s to woo precious metals investors. One notable attempt is the American Arts Commemorative Series Medallions.

There are ten medallions that are part of the American Arts Commemorative Series that were minted from 1980 through 1984.

The larger medallions are minted 1 troy ounce of pure gold.  While the smaller medallions contain 1/2 troy ounce of pure gold. At the time of release, the medallions were poorly received by collectors, the public and investors.

These medallions were struck from an alloy containing .900 fine gold. Today, these medallions are popular with gold stackers and investors and can are often on sale in the secondary market very close to spot price.

While the series was a commercial failure, it paved the way for Congress to create and establish the guidelines for the American Eagle series of coins from the US Mint.

Gold American Eagle

The American Eagle series premiered in 1986. It continues to be one of the most popular precious metal investment vehicles in the world.

It has been more than 52 years since the Nixon Shock moved off the United States off the gold standard.

Private ownership of gold, silver and other precious metals remains legal throughout the United States today.

Demand from investors continues to grow as more people continue to lose faith in the banking system, traditional investments like stocks and bonds as well as the federal government’s ability to manage and regulate effectively given the massive amount of corruption plaguing Washington.

As of 2023, more than 47 million ounces of gold have been used in minting of four denominations of American Gold Eagle coins. Investor demand for American Gold Eagle coins remains strong after 37 years.