All About Gold

What is gold?

Gold is a rare yellow metal with the designated symbol AU, which is short for the Latin word 'Aurum' and which means literally, "Glowing Dawn". The word gold, however, comes from the Indo-European root word and means simply, yellow.

Gold has a number of properties useful to man apart from it’s beauty and strange attractiveness for jewellery and coinage. It is an excellent conductor of electricity and is resistant to corrosion, not reacting to oxygen or water. It does not tarnish and does not cause reactions on skin for the vast majority of people. It has a melting point of 1064 degrees, a boiling point of 2808 centigrade and is a soft metal and very malleable compared to most metals.

Karat Gold
Gold is measured in karats. These karats are rather different to the ones Bugs Bunny enjoys. A Karat is a unit of weight which was based on the carob seed or bean used by merchants in the middle east hundreds of years ago. The Carob seed is from the carob Tree and the Karat was used as a measure of the purity of gold. Gold is also measured in terms of fineness which is to say, parts per thousand. 24 Karat gold is considered to be 999.999 parts per thousand on the basis that there can never be a total and absolute purity of gold. 18 Karat is 18/24th or 750 parts per thousand, the other 250 parts being made up, usually, of copper, silver, zinc or bronze.

How much gold is there in the world?
Well, at the end of 2001, it is estimated that all the gold ever mined amounts to about 145,000 tonnes. Of course that would have increased by now but even so it is a lot of gold.

Perhaps that is not all there is to know about gold but it is a few interesting facts about the metal that we all cherish so dearly.

Unusual Gold Coins

There are some unusual gold coins out there in the market place. These include the Augustus Humbert $50 gold slugs. These were octagonal (eight sided) in shape and a recent example sold for nearly $290,000 US dollars. Well over the few ounces of gold contained therein.

Also known as ‘slugs' these types of coins are also known as facsimiles and are one of the most expensive and elusive coins for collectors. They represented very large gold coins struck in California.

They were meant to be used by miners and the pioneers of the day during the gold rush. A very rough and ready coin as it were. They were originally termed 'ingots' due to their large weight and face value of 50 US dollars but because of their size become known as slugs.

The government withdrew the 50 dollar slugs from circulation around 1954 and they are now quite rare with only around 40 known to exist.

They can cost anywhere from 10,000 dollars up to over 250,000 each depending on which mint, condition and age.

For example the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition 50 dollar commemorative
Gold coin was minted in two versions, the octagonal as mentioned above and the traditional round.

They are among the most unusual coins available albeit for their remarkable history and rarity.

There are many other unusual gold coins available and half the fun is discovering them and the unique history that usually surrounds them.

If you are fortunate enough to ever come across one of these unusual gold coins and can afford the price, they would make a phenomenal addition to your collection not to mention the prestige and you would surely be a very happy individual.

All About Gold Carats

Gold is used extensively in coinage of course, as well as industrial, decorative, dental and gold jewellery.

How it is used will usually determine the carat or amount of gold in proportion to other metals. The higher the carat the purer the gold. Gold is usually alloyed with other metals to increase its hardness and durability. The amount of hardness required is determined by the use for the gold. Jewelry, for example, gets a lot more handling than coins or bars and so is alloyed with harder metals such as silver, copper and sometimes nickel.

The composition of alloys used in jewelry in most countries is denoted in the 'carat system' (spelt Karat in the USA and on the Continent). Also for hallmarking purposes gold is expressed in parts per thousand. Hence 999 and 990 parts per thousand (the other parts being another metal such as silver or copper for example).
Here is a list of the carats and proportions of gold to alloys:

24 carat is pure gold with nothing added. This is the purest gold available. Also has a fineness of 1000. Sometimes this is expressed as 999 being 999 parts per 1000. This is because it is very difficult to get pure gold with absolutely no impurities and possibly is for legal reasons also. This applies to gold coins a lot. Canadian Maples, for example, are listed as 99.999% pure gold.

22 carat is 916.6 fine
18 carat is 750 fine
14 carat is 585 fine
9 carat is 375 fine

There are other hallmark standards available as well as the above but these are the most common. This tells you how much gold there is in a gold piece. 14 carat, for example, is 585 parts gold to 415 parts other metal.

The alloys used vary with the purpose to which the gold is put. For jewellery and dental work usually the combination is gold, silver and copper. Sometimes with the addition of zinc or nickel. For dental alloys, palladium and platinum are usually added as they are particularly stronger and hard wearing.

18 carat gold is more popular for gold jewelry with a 75 percent gold and 25 percent other metals ratio, usually silver or copper or a mixture of both.

The 14 carat standard is used more extensively in industry and for such things as pen nibs, circuit boards etc. It is also used in such jewelry as bracelets where more durability is required, due to more use.

There is also a 10 carat, containing 41.7 percent gold and known therefore as 417. this is really just a cheaper version of the 14 carat and used for cheaper jewelry. One should check the carat of the piece one is buying as it may actually be 10 carat or even 9 carat and not 14.

Guernsey Fine Gold Coins

Guernsey fine gold coins are very pretty and have a unique aspect in that there is no head of state on the coins as is traditional with most country's coins.

Guernsey is a small island off the French Coast but part of Britain. It is a British protectorate with it's own mint which produces some very fine coins.

A good example is the Guernsey fine gold One Double coins. These are available in two weights: 1/10 and 1/4 troy ounce pure 999 fine gold. The One Double was legal tender and was first minted in 1830; it was released periodically until 1966 together with the Two, Four and Eight Doubles.

SPECIFICATIONS:
One tenth troy ounce
Purity 999 fine gold –
Diameter 19mm –
Weight 3.11 grams.
One quarter troy ounce
Purity 999 fine gold –
Diameter 19mm –
Weight 7.78 grams.

The Guernsey double design features on the obverse side the royal seal of King Edward I, given to the island of Guernsey in 1279; the reverse features the coins denomination, the year of minting and the purity mark.

The Guernsey Mint, Guernsey fine gold coins produces many fine coins which any collector would be proud to own and the Guernesey fine gold coin One Double would be no exception.

When To Sell Gold

When to sell gold is an important question. Much depends on why you bought gold in the first place and why you have it.

If you bought gold coins for pleasure because they look nice then it is unlikely that you would even consider selling your gold. However if you bought gold bullion in the form of bars or antique gold coins or even proof sets, then it is quite likely you bought your gold with a eye to the future.

Then the question, when to sell gold, becomes an issue.

The value of gold, as against the various currencies, goes up and down. At the top of this website you can see the gold price in USD and Euros. See also the gold price per ounce page for the gold price in your local currency.

So the next question becomes, Are you holding gold for the short term of the long term? If the short term then the value of gold on a day to day basis will assume a bigger importance. If the long term then it is the long term trend that will be of most interest.

For some people when to sell gold is when they need the money. For others it is when the value of gold rises well above the value it was when they purchased it. So the reason why one is selling gold can be important too.

Taking all these factors into consideration and leaving nothing out will give one a good indication of when to sell gold.

It may not always be when you think. And of course one should consult one’s financial advisor if one is buying and selling more for investment purposes than as a coin collector.

Whatever the reason why you have gold coins, knowing when to sell gold is just as important as knowing when to buy it.

When is the best time to buy gold?

Many people ask when is the best time to buy gold as the price keeps changing, almost on an hourly basis. Currently the gold price is on an upward trend and

Sometimes there is a "trend" either upward or downward. You see on the news each day the price of gold fluctuating. Usually measured in terms of the US dollar per ounce.

But what is really happening here?

What does this really mean?

Gold Trends
The gold trend goes up and down in relation to the value of the dollar. The value of gold does not actually change very much at all. In fact if you checked back through history you would see that the value of gold over the past 200 years has hardly changed at all compared to the value of other goods. One ounce of gold today will purchase almost the same amount of goods as it did 50 years ago. The only change is actually the value of the currency not the gold. Inflation, recession (to use a popular word), all affect the value of the fiscal currency but generally do not affect gold.

The value of one ounce of gold, for example in the year 1800 was around $19-20US per ounce. These days it is in the 900 plus per ounce range, and rising. The large fluctuation as a direct result of the value of the decreasing.

The Value of Gold
A good example of the decrease in the value of the dollar, despite, or perhaps because of it, is the increase in the quantity of dollars being printed, According to the consumer price index What cost $20 in 1800 would cost 216.86 dollars in 2005. Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2005 and 1800, they would cost you $20 and $1.85 cents respectively.

If the government decided top return to the gold standard and back every dollar by gold, there is so much printed dollars floating around now that it would take a good 50,000 dollars per ounce to ensure each dollar is backed by gold.

This could still happen and the government can still bring back the 1933 legislation to stop US citizens from owning gold if they wished. It would be very difficult to enforce and administer of course but there are other ways to do so. Buy back the gold using more printed money which becomes even of less value in terms of buying goods and services.

Michael Kosares, of USA Gold, notes the severe declining power of the US dollar in "Disturbing Trends".

And then, in stark contrast is the value of gold going up as the dollar goes down.


This explains why people purchase more gold during a recession when the value of the dollar (or whatever other fiscal currency they use) decreases in value. The value of the gold does not. Gold keeps it’s value and has done so for hundreds of years in fact.

When to Buy Gold
So what is the answer to the question. When is the best time to buy gold?

The best time to buy gold is right NOW! In fact it is always the best time to buy gold. If you were to purchase a small amount of gold bullion each month for the next 5 years, you would still beat inflation hands down.

Gold Bars – Perth Mint

The Perth Mint produce a selection of gold bars.

Each is 99.99 percent pure gold and features the Perth mint stamp. This is recognized throughout the world as fine gold.

All the gold produced by the Perth Mint comes from the Australian gold mines.

The bars come in 1, 2.5, 5,10,20,50 and 100 gram bars.

Each comes sealed in a protective transparent blister mounted on a green card.

Each also has the Black Swan logo. The black swan is unique. Its beak is red which makes an attractive color combination. The Black Swan prefers open waters as they need at least 20 metres to take off. However they can be found in the Swan River estuary which flows through the city of Perth. The black swan is Western Australia's bird emblem and it is said to be found as far north as the Kimberley region. The Swans are also the Perth Australian Rules football team logo and Perth is also called the Swan City.

These gold bars from the Perth mint are an excellent buy and a good long term investment and any gold collector would be pleased to have a few of these in the closet!

Australian Prospector Gold Coin

The Australian Prospector Gold Coin really captures the spirit of the gold rush in Australia and the race to get the biggest and the best gold nuggets from such places as Bendigo and Ballarat in Victoria, Australia.

This is a one troy ounce gold coin of 99.99 percent pure gold with a proof finish and a frosted colored design on a shiny background. It features the 'Dry Blowing Design'. It has the historic 'P' mintmark of the Perth Mint and the obverse depicts the well, known Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The coin is legal tender in Australia and the coin’s monetary denomination of 100 Australian Dollars.

There was a limited mintage of 1500 of these coins and, surprisingly, there are still some left at the time of writing although these are expected to go very fast.

Each Australian Prospector one ounce coin comes with a certificate of authenticity and is housed in a beautiful Australian hardwood (jarrah) presentation case featuring a decorative tile inserted in the lid.

The coin specifications are:
2002 Australian Prospector Gold Coin – Dry Blowing
99.99% Pure Gold
Dry Blowing design
Official Australian Legal Tender
Historic 'P' Mintmark
Queen Elizabeth II Obverse
Unique Display Case
Limited Mintage - 1,500

The Australian Prospector Gold Coin would make an excellent addition to any gold coin enthusiasts collection.

Collecting Gold Coins

Collecting gold coins can be a fascinating hobby as well as a fruitful one but it is very important to keep in mind several factors when collecting gold coins.

Firstly one should have in mind what sort of gold coins one wants to collect. There are many and some can be quite pricey. How much do you want or can you afford to spend? If you are on a limited budget you can easily start with some of the smaller coins and build up a collection perhaps over a period of time. One can get one tenth and even one twentieth of an ounce gold coins these days and these are much easier to purchase than the traditional one ounce gold coins.

Next, you might like to collect coins of a particular country or a particular series such as Canadian Maples or South African Krugerrands. Some people like to collect Proof coins rather than used or uncirculated. These tend to be more expensive of course as they are coins that have been especially struck for collectors and are of a much higher quality than the brilliant uncirculated coins.

You will need to source a good reputable dealer from whom you can buy your gold coins. If possible try to buy your coins from the same dealer every time as then, if the time comes to sell some, the dealer will know the coins and generally offer you the best price for those you might sell. Dealers also like to have repeat customers and will tend to look after them and sometimes even offer a higher quality service.

If you decide to buy rare or proof sets be aware these can be more expensive, but if you have the money they are generally well worth the cost as, over time, they will appreciate in value quite nicely.

In addition buying larger amounts of gold means that you pay less in mark up costs from the dealer or mint than if you just buy a small one tenth ounce coin. The shipping and packaging might even be as much as the cost of the coin for a small coin.

What ever you decide to buy, the main point is to study and learn as much as you can about collecting gold coins and probably even more importantly, have fun doing it!

Gold Bars

There are, contrary to what many people think, more than one type of gold bar, over 30 different types of gold bars in fact. They range from the 400 troy ounce bars used by banks to the wafer thin fine gold bars of 1 gram made by Mitsubishi and used heavily in Japan.

A gold bar is generally defined as any gold item, regardless of shape, which means it does not even have to be in the shape of a bar, and which is made by a bar manufacturer, records the name of the manufacturer, the precise weight and the precise purity, and is sold at a low premium above the gold price. There are bars made by most countries in the world today. Most countries make, or have made gold bars of one sort of another. Also many shapes, not just the bar like shapes.

Here is a list of some of the gold bars available world wide.

'400' oz ('12.5' kg) bar
Kilobars
'Tezabi' Bars
Tael Bars
Baht Bars
Tola Bars
Chi Bars
Decorative Bars
'Hologram' Bars
'Rainbow' Bars
'Yin-Yang' Bars
'Koban' Bars
'Twin-Coin' Bar'
Gold Leaf' Bars
Fine Gold Cards
'Bone' Bar
'Gold Fillet' Bars
'Pendant' Bars
'Double Pendant' Bars
'Bank' Bars
'Commemorative' Bars
'Heart' Bars
'Kinebars™'
'Bullion Watch' Bars
'Fine Art' Bars
'Bas-Relief' Bar
Full-Colour' Bars
'Cartoon' Bars 'Minted 'Brick' Bars
'Model' Bars
The world's largest - and smallest - bars
Historical Rothschild Bars
Oldest Stamp
Oldest Assay Mark
Bullion Coins
Gold Nuggets
Gold-Bearing Ore
'Dore' Bars
'Garimpo' Dore

A description of the gold bars in this list can be found at: Gold Bars

Collecting gold bars is generally done more for investment purposes as distinct from gold coin collectors who may also collect for the aesthetic appeal of the coins.

Collecting gold bars does have an appeal however. Some can look quite striking and the cost ratio to the value of gold the bar contains is usually, for the most part, better than the purchase of gold coins.

There are no proof or uncirculated considerations to take into account and gold bars are transportable and saleable anywhere in the world.

Collecting gold bars, as well as an excellent possible investment for the future can also be fun and provide much interest to the collector.

Tax Free Gold

Just about everything is taxed these days but, believe it or not, it is still possible to buy tax free gold.

This will depend largely upon which country you live in and even which state or province in that country you reside. The tax laws in the western countries are known to be some of the most complex in the world and in the US the tax laws and regulations are extremely complex.

Capital Gains Tax on Gold Bullion
In some US states, for example, tax is not paid on the purchase of gold bullion but if you sell gold bullion you may incur a capital gains tax if you sell gold for for a higher gold price than what you purchased at.

Sales Tax on Gold Bullion
As far as Sales tax is concerned, gold coins are legal tender in the country in which they are usually made or made for and sold. Gold Eagles are legal tender in the US for example, and so do not incur any tax on purchase or sales.

The same applies to Gold Sovereigns in the UK or Maple Leafs in Canada or Kookaburras in Australia.

In the UK, VAT (Value Added Tax) is applied to the sales of some gold bars. But as gold coins are not an investment, although could be used for such a purpose, they are legal tender and of course one cannot tax the currency of a nation. Least ways not yet!

In Australia there is no GST on the sale of pure gold bars and gold coins but there is GST on American Eagles should you buy them from a gold dealer who is registered for GST, as American Eagles are not pure gold. You may not have to pay GST if you buy them from a private seller on ebay.

Understanding Tax Implications
So it would require some study, some financial and tax advise, perhaps before you buy gold bullion. Knowing which is the most appropriate gold bullion to buy may make a big difference to your own tax situation.

It is said that only two things are certain in life and that is taxes and death. It is possible that some gold bullion could be exempt from tax and this would certainly be welcome news to gold enthusiasts.

A tax free status does not apply to investments, stocks or even exchange traded funds, all of which may incur a tax of some sort, either on the investment or on the interest or ‘profits’ derived from such.

One should always consult with ones tax and financial adviser when it comes to any investments or the purchase or sale of any gold bullion or gold coin collectibles.

Regardless of any tax implications in buying gold, it is an excellent idea to put at least some of one’s hard earned money in gold coins and take advantage of any tax free gold bonus where one can!

Buy Gold and Silver

To have a balanced portfolio it is a good idea to include gold and silver bullion. This can be in the form of gold and silver coins and bars. A balance can be struck between the two depending on a number of factors.

Firstly, how much liquidity is required in your portfolio? This depends on your investment strategy of course and how liquid you want your asset to be.

Silver is currently around 12-13 dollars per ounce while gold is running at around 650 dollars US per ounce. So a one ounce silver coin is much easier to buy and sell than a one ounce gold coin for most people. If you are happy to buy silver and gold for the long term with no thought of cashing in any of your investment then it would weight more heavily in gold bullion than silver. On the other hand, if you want to be able to cash in your investment fast (perhaps travelling around a ot) then your investment would more likely to be heavily weighed in favour of silver bullion.

Unlike paper currency, both gold and silver are sellable in virtually any country in the world. Whereas the US Dollar or other paper currency may be refused, such as in Australia for example, it is unlikely that Krugerrands or silver eagles would be refused by any bank or dealer around the globe.

Probably for most people 20 percent silver bullion to 80 percent gold bullion would be an acceptable ratio. It is a fact that gold and silver coins are easier to sell than small bars. In some countries gold and silver bars when purchased will attract tax but coins generally do not as they are considered legal tender.

To buy gold and silver is an attractive way of saving and can provide a life saver when it comes to providing for one’s future while at the same time offering quick access to some cash when needed.

Buy and Sell Gold and Silver

To buy and sell gold and silver is a good way some people make a living. But how do they do it?

Here are some guidelines that might be useful for someone contemplating a career in that direction.

To buy and sell gold and silver requires firstly that the person has a thorough knowledge about the subjects of gold and silver.

Both gold and silver are actually used, mostly in industry. However, more silver is used in industry than gold. For example 44 percent of ALL silver used is in the photography business and only around 14 percent is used in coins.

Gold and Silver, for the collector or investor, comes in bullion. Gold and silver bars as well as coins. There are various types of gold bars and coins, particularly gold coins. There are also stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) where gold and silver is deposited in banks and one has a certificate that represents one's holding of the actual gold or silver.

Of course dealers make a living buying and selling gold and silver. Mostly in coins but also in bars as well. Some people simply buy and sell coins and bars at auctions. eBay springs to mind as a way for small collectors and dealers to buy and sell gold and silver.

All of these methods are open to anyone to start and it does not take a vast amount of money to do so.

Probably the best tools one can have, apart from knowledge and some business sense, both easily obtainable, are honesty and integrity as they will enable you to stay in business and build up a large base of customers who will trust you and be happy to continue to do repeat business with you.

It has often been said that the first sale with a customer costs you money but you will make money on the repeat business. This is just as true in the gold and silver business as in any other. The markups are generally very small and the amount of effort needed to get new customers in the gold and silver business expensive, so this means you will really only succeed with repeat business. This comes about by providing excellent customer service far beyond the expectations of the customer.

To buy and sell gold and silver then can be a satisfying and rewarding business, provided you put the effort needed into acquiring and maintaining your customers.

Then of course you can have your cake and eat it too!

Aslan Gold Proof Coin

Although it was minted in 2005 the Aslan Gold Proof Coin is still well worth mentioning due to its aesthetic appeal and very limited mintage of only 2500.

This coin is a 24 carat Proof one ounce pure gold coin with a face value of $10 New Zealand Dollars.

Aslan was the Lion in the original book, 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' by C.S Lewis the Irish author and scholar.

The coin has been crafted to the faultless Proof standards of the Royal Australian Mint, and housed within a stunning handcrafted timber case, the distinguished presentation matches the prestigious nature of the coin.

Specifications
Denomination: $10
Finish: Proof
Alloy: 24 carat gold
Weight: 31.10 grams
Diameter: 38 mm
Edge Treatment: Milled
Obverse Design : Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, England
Reverse Design: Portrait of Aslan the lion.
Mintage Issue Limit: 2,500
Mint: Royal Australian Mint

Despite the fact that the cost runs to around 1750 to 2000 dollars per coin, due to the popularity and the severely limited mintage this coin is still a much sort after gold coin.

Any collection with the Aslan Gold Proof Coin is sure to be a treasured one!

Gold Coin Grading

Gold coin grading is a very important part of determining the value of a coin enthusiast’s collection.

There are many factors to take into account when grading coins.

The quality of the gold coin when it leaves the mint. It is possible, even with proof coins, that imperfections can be found which occurred during the striking process. If there is even so much as a tiny foreign substance between the dies when the coin is struck then that will leave an imperfection. Hairlines can form when someone touches the coin with their bare hands or wipes the surface of a coin or even simply sliding it out of the protective coin holder.

Hairlines are the most common reason why gold coins are downgraded in proof to perhaps Proof-63 and Proof-64 instead of Proof-69 or Proof-70. Anything that touches the surface of the coin can leave hairlines. Hence the extremely high value of old coins that have no surface imperfections, hairlines etc.

Cleaning a gold coin can also adversely affect it’s grading. Unless you know how to professionally clean gold coins, cleaning should be left to a professional. Chemical cleaning can sometimes remove a layer of gold leaving a bright surface underneath but this also can damage the gold coin, particularly a proof coin. This can also be spotted by a professional grader however as can mechanical cleaning where abrasives are used. These will commonly scratch the surface of the coin and reduce the grading and therefore the value.

It is probably wiser to avoid any cleaning whatsoever as the fact of cleaning itself may affect the grading of the gold coin.

For older gold coins the amount of circulation wear or, for an uncirculated mint coin (MS60 through to MS65) how close it resembles a "perfect" condition when first struck.

Proof gold coins are struck in a special way with extra attention to the striking process and these coins are primarily meant for collectors.

All rare gold coins should be independently certified for grade and authenticity by a leading independent grading service, for example:

Professional Coin Grading Service by PCGS and
Professional Coin Grading Service by NGC.

Certified gold coins protect both the buyer and the seller by providing protection and an agreed grading and value for the gold coin.

Gold coin grading is very important to ensure you can demonstrate the true value of your gold coin collection and well worth the small amount it costs to obtain certification.

Golden Wattle Gold Coin

The Royal Australian Mint produces many gold coins of various types, not the least of which is the Golden Wattle Gold Coin.

The Golden Wattle Gold Coin is a striking depiction of Australia’s national Flower, the Wattle.

This coin was struck in 24 carat gold to very exacting standards in three types. $150 and $100 face value proof coins and a $100 brilliant uncirculated gold coin. The mintage was severely limited to 1500 for the 150 dollar proof coin, 2500 for the $100 dollar proof coin and just 3000 for the brilliant uncirculated gold coin.

All are one half a troy ounce of 24 carat fine gold.

Each coin came with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity and the Golden Wattle coins were the seventh in a series of nine issues celebrating the beautiful floral state emblems of the Australian States. The series includes:

• 1995 Waratah New South Wales emblem
• 1996 Tasmanian Blue Gum,Tasmania emblem
• 1997 Mangle's Kangaroo Paw, Western Australia emblem
• 1998 Sturt's Desert Pea, South Australia emblem
• 1999 Common Heath, Victoria emblem
• 2000 Cooktown Orchid, Queensland emblem
• 2001 Golden Wattle, Australian floral emblem
• 2002 Sturt's Desert Rose, Northern Territory emblem
• 2002 Royal Bluebell, Australian Capital Territory emblem

The Golden Wattle coins were beautifully presented with the 150 dollar coins coming in a Blackwood timber box and the 100 dollar coin in a jewelry style case.

The Golden Wattle gold coin was indeed a beautiful coin and would be a treasured possession for any coin collector.

What are my gold coins worth

Sometimes, when you look at your prized collection of coins so painstakingly collected over many years you might ask yourself, "What are my gold coins worth?"

As the value of gold, and even silver, increases in value and the rarity of you coins increase, especially if you have collected those of a limited mintage or older, rarer coins in near perfect condition, it is very likely that your coin collection will have increased in value quite satisfactorily.

Provided of course that you have kept the coins in the same condition as when they were first purchased. Never taking them out of their sealed packaging so they do not get damaged or, in the case of silver, tarnished. Never clean them and keeping them out of direct sunlight.

Now there are various sites one can go to to get a good idea of the value of your coins.

What’s my gold coins worth?, and What are gold coins worth are two such sites and there are many others.

One can also check out the various coin auctions and eBay and see what the same coins are fetching on the open market.

Of course one can get a valuation done of various coins or even the entire collection and really one should on a regular basis at least yearly. This is a good idea for insurance purposes among others. In this way one would get a registered coin dealer to do a valuation and give you a written official result.

Whatever you do it is safe to say that the answer to the question, "What’s my gold coin worth?" is, "more than it was when I bought the coins!"

Gold Vienna Philharmonics

Gold Vienna Philharmonics have been around for some time but are still one of the most beautiful of gold coins.

On the reverse of the coin is, as described by the Austrian Mint, "A harmonious design of musical instruments representing the world famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra."

On the obverse is depicted the great organ in the Golden Hall in Vienna's concert hall (Musikverein). This is the home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra from which the coin gets it’s name.

Up to December 31, 2001 the Vienna Philharmonic was struck with a face value in Austrian Schilling. After December 31, 2001 the mintages were in euros.

All Gold Vienna Philharmonics were struck in .999 percent pure gold

The coins are available in 2000, 1000, 500 and 200 schillings (mintage prior 31st Dec 2001) or 100, 50, 25 and 10 euros.

The coins are available from Gold Vienna Philharmonics as well as other reputable dealers.

Gold Vienna Philharmonics, much sought after by collectors and due to the limited mintage each year, are becoming rarer as time goes on.

Collecting the Gold Vienna Philharmonics is a great activity for coin enthusiasts and sure to give pleasure for may years to come.