Bullion coin

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.[1] The United Kingdom defines investment coins more specifically as coins that have been minted after 1800, have a purity of not less than 900 thousandths and are, or have been, a legal tender in their country of origin[2] (those not meeting the last requirement are not "coins" according to United States law[3] and must be advertised as "rounds" instead). Bullion coins are usually available in gold and silver, with the exceptions of the Krugerrand and the Swiss Vreneli which are only available in gold. The American Eagle series is available in gold, silver and platinum,[4] and the Canadian Maple Leaf series is available in gold, silver, platinum[5] and palladium.[6]

Krugerrand gold bullion coin, minted in 2012
Britannia silver bullion coin, minted in 2014

Bullion coins are 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 or 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.

Lists of bullion coins

Gold

The European Commission publishes annually a list of gold coins which must be treated as investment gold coins (e.g. by being exempt from VAT) in all EU Member States. The list has legal force and supplements the law. In the United Kingdom, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have added an additional list of gold coins alongside the European Commission list. These are gold coins that HMRC recognise as falling within the VAT exemption for investment gold coins.[7] The following list presents only the most common coins included in the European Commission list.

List of gold bullion coins
Country Name of bullion coin Fineness Denominations
(Gold weight)
Years of mintage
Australia Gold Nugget .9999 1/20 ozt, 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt,
2 ozt, 10 ozt, 1 kg
1986–present
1991–present
Australia Lunar Series I .9999 1 ozt 1996–2007
Australia Lunar Series II .9999 1/20 ozt, 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt, 2 ozt, 10 ozt, 1 kg, 10 kg 2008–2019
Austria Vienna Philharmonic .9999 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1989–present
Canada Maple Leaf .9999 (.99999 available) 1/20 ozt, 1/15 ozt, 1/10 ozt, 1/5 ozt, 1/4 ozt,
1/2 ozt, 1 ozt, 100 Kilo
1979–present
China Gold Panda .999 1/20 ozt, 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1982–present
France 20 Francs Napoleon .900 0.1867 ozt.1806–1914
Israel Jerusalem of Gold Series .9999 1 ozt 2010-present
Kazakhstan Golden Irbis .9999 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 2009–present
Malaysia Kijang Emas .9999 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 2001–present
Mexico Libertad .999 1/20 ozt, 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1991–present
Mexico Libertad .900 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1981–1990
Mexico Centenario (50 Pesos) .900 1.20565 ozt 1921 - 1931
Periodically 1943 - 1972
Poland Orzeł bielik .9999 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1995–present
But 2001, 2003 and 2005
Poland Bene Merentibus .9999 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 2012
Russia George the Victorious .999 0.2537 ozt 2006–present
Somalia Elephant .999 1/50 ozt, 1/25 ozt, 1 ozt, 5 ozt 1999-present
South Africa Krugerrand .9167 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1967–present
Switzerland Vreneli .900 0.0933 ozt, 0.1866 ozt 1897 - 1936
1947 and 1949
Ukraine Archangel Michael .9999 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 2012–present
United Kingdom Sovereign .9167 7.3224 g = 0.2354 ozt 1887 - 1932
1949 - 1952 (dated 1925)
1957 - 1959
1962 - 1968
1974, 1976, 1978 - 1982
2000–present
United Kingdom Britannia .9167 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1987–2012
United Kingdom Britannia .9999 1 ozt 2013-
United States Gold Eagle .9167 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1986–present
United States American Buffalo .9999 1 ozt 2006–present
United States Double Eagle .900 0.9675 ozt 1849–1933
USSR Chervonets .900 0.2489 ozt 1975–1982

Palladium

List of palladium bullion coins
Country Name of bullion coin Fineness Denominations
(Palladium weight)
Years of mintage
Canada Palladium Maple Leaf .9995 1 ozt 2005–2007, 2009

Platinum

List of platinum bullion coins
Country Name of bullion coin Fineness Denominations
(Platinum weight)
Years of mintage
Australia Platinum Koala .9995 1/20 ozt, 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1988–2008
Australia Platinum Platypus .9995 1 ozt 2011–present
Canada Platinum Maple Leaf .9995 1/20 ozt, 1/15 ozt, 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1988–1999, 2002, 2009
Isle of Man Noble .9995 1/20 ozt, 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1983–1989
Mexico Libertad .999 1/4 ozt 1989
United States Platinum Eagle .9995 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1997–present

Silver

List of silver bullion coins
Country Name of bullion coin Fineness Denominations
(Silver weight)
Years of mintage
Armenia Noah's Ark .999 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt, 5 ozt, 10 ozt, 1 kg, 5 kg 2011-present [8]
Australia Great White Shark .999 1/2 ozt 2014
Australia Kangaroo .999 1 ozt 1993-present
Australia Silver Koala .999 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt, 10 ozt, 1 kg 2007–present
Australia Silver Kookaburra .999 1 ozt, 2 ozt, 10 ozt, 1 kg 1990–present
Australia Lunar .999 1 ozt, 2 ozt, 10 ozt, 1 kg 1999–present
Australia Saltwater Crocodile .999 1 ozt 2014–present
Austria Vienna Philharmonic .999 1 ozt 2008–present
Benin Elephant .999 1 ozt 2014–present
Cameroon Cross-River Gorilla .999 1 ozt 2011–2013
Canada Arctic Fox .9999 1/4 ozt, 1.5 ozt -
Canada Birds of Prey .9999 1 ozt 2014–2015
Canada Grey Wolf .9999 3/4 ozt 2015
Canada Maple Leaf .9999 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1988–present
Canada Polar Bear .9999 1.5 ozt -
Canada Wildlife Series .9999 1 ozt 2011–2013
China Lunar .999 1 ozt -
China Silver Panda Varies Varies 1989–present[9] (pre-1989 are medallions)
Congo (Republic) African Lion .999 5 ozt 2013
Congo (Republic) Baby Lions .999 1 ozt 2012
Congo (Republic) Rhinoceros .999 1 ozt 2012
Cook Islands Young Wildlife Series .999 1 ozt 2013
Fiji Eagle .999 1 ozt 2013
Fiji Otter Lutra .999 1 ozt -
France Silver Coin .900 1 ozt -
Gabon Elephant .999 1 ozt 2012
Gabon Lion .999 1 ozt 2013
Kazakhstan Silver Irbis .9999 1 ozt, 2 ozt, 5 ozt, 10 ozt 2009–present
Mexico Libertad .999 1/20 ozt, 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt, 2 ozt, 5 ozt, 1 kg 1982–present
Mongolia Argali .999 1 ozt 2013
Mongolia Long-eared Hedgehog .999 1 ozt 2012
Mongolia Manul .999 1 ozt 2014
Mongolia Scorpion .999 1 ozt 2005
Mongolia Ural Owl .999 1 ozt 2011
Mongolia Wolverine (Gulo Gulo) .999 1 ozt 2007
New Zealand Kiwi .999 1 ozt 2007-present
Niue Secrets of Lichtenstein .999 2 ozt 2013
Palau Red Squirrel Swarovski .999 1 ozt 2012
Papua New Guinea Spiny Anteater .999 1 ozt 2012
Russia Saint George the Victorious .999 1.01 ozt 2009–2010
Russia Southwest Asian Leopard .999 1.01 ozt -
Somalia Elephant .999 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt, 2 ozt, 1 kg 1999–present
South Africa Marine Protected Areas .925 1 ozt 2013
South Africa Pel's Fishing Owl .925 1 ozt 2012
Suriname Suriname .999 1 ozt -
Togo Bison D'Europe .999 2 ozt 2012
Tokelau Crocodile .999 1 ozt 2013
Turkey Street Stray Animals .925 1 ozt -
Ukraine Archangel Michael .9999 1 ozt 2011–present
United Kingdom The George and the Dragon .999 15.71 g 2013
United Kingdom Britannia .958 1/10 ozt, 1/4 ozt, 1/2 ozt, 1 ozt 1997–2012
United Kingdom Britannia .999 1 ozt 2013-
United States America the Beautiful .999 5 ozt 2010–present
United States Silver Eagle .999 1 ozt 1986–present

See also

References

  1. "Investing in Bullion and Bullion Coins". Consumer Information - US FTC. U.S. Federal Trade Commission. May 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  2. "VAT Notice 701/21A: investment gold coins". Gov.UK HMRC pages. HMRC. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  3. Bouvier's Law Dictionary (Revised 6th ed.). 1856. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  4. "American Eagle Bullion Coins for Investors". United States Mint. United States Mint. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  5. "BULLION PRODUCTS". Royal Canadian Mint Website. Royal Canadian Mint. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  6. "Palladium Maple Leaf". Northwest Territorial Mint. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  7. "Table 2: UK list of additional coins recognised as investment gold coins" (PDF). Gov.UK HMRC pages. HMRC. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  8. "Investment coins of the Republic of Armenia". Central Bank of Armenia. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  9. "Chinese Panda Silver Series". Bullion Data. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
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