There are many places where coin collectors and investors can buy gold coins, but not all of them can be trusted.  You owe it to yourself to do the proper research and educate yourself about the different available options to determine what will be the best gold coins to buy for your portfolio, before paying for a single coin or ounce of gold.

There are two basic categories of gold coins to be aware of, both of which are available for sale in the United States: gold bullion coins and rare gold coins.

Gold Bullion Coins

Gold bullion coins are coins which exist to provide their owners with the value of their gold content. These coins are minted by the millions and have no special value or appeal for coin collectors. They are a convenient, popular way to invest in gold.

If you are looking to buy gold bullion coins there are several popular coins available, each produced by a government-owned national mint:

• The American Eagle Gold Bullion Coin, minted by the United States Mint
• The American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coin, minted by the United States Mint
• The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, minted by the Royal Canadian Mint
• The South African Krugerrand, minted by the South African Mint
• The Austrian Vienna Philharmonic, minted by the Austrian Mint
• The Australian Gold Nugget, minted by the Perth Mint

Each of these coins comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 1/25 of an ounce to 1 ounce.

Rare Gold Coins

In contrast to gold bullion coins, coins minted in the United States between 1795 and 1933 are considered rare and are valued as collectibles, thus attracting attention from both investors and collectors.

There are many types and dates of rare gold coins that were originally minted in the United States from 1795 to 1933, ranging in denomination of $1, $2.50, $3, $4, $5, $10, $20 and $50. Since then, their market values have raised their prices far above the initial face values. Unlike gold bullion coins whose value is limited strictly to their gold content, rare gold coins range in value from around $1,000 to millions of dollars.

The most popular rare gold coins for investors are the Double Eagle $20 gold pieces, minted from 1850 to 1933. From 1850-1907, the Double Eagle design was referred to as the “Liberty” and from 1907 until 1933, its design was named for the designer himself, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Today these coins sell for upwards of $1700.

If you are wondering where to buy gold coins, where you go will often be determined by the type of coin you are looking for.

Buying Options

There are several choices for buying gold coins, and it is important to know what coins you’re looking for, since different places can offer very different selections.

• Local Coin Shops

You can most likely find some gold coins at your local coin shop, but such businesses are unlikely to have a complete selection of gold coins. You want to buy the coins which make sense for you, not the coins that the shopkeeper happens to have on hand.

There is one other consideration when patronizing a coin shop: security. You need to be well aware of your surroundings and take proper precautions when going to and from a coin shop because criminal elements are aware that gold is valuable and sometimes untraceable. In addition, coin shops generally do not provide service after the sale.

• Coin Shows

There are many coin shows held around the country, but you should be aware that these shows are primarily designed for sales between dealers. Members of the public who enter one of these shows should be aware that they are unlikely to receive personalized service from someone interested in taking the time to educate them about coins. Not to mention, you need to be an expert to acquire from these shows.

• Banks and Brokerage Firms

Banks and brokerage firms sometimes, may offer gold bullion coins to their customers as a service. They almost never offer rare gold coins, therefore they cannot be considered “full service.”

• Full Service Coin Dealers

A reputable full-service coin dealer, such as ITM Trading is the best choice for collectors and investors who want to purchase gold coins.

ITM Trading has both the expertise and experience to serve your needs properly. We also offer a complete selection of virtually any gold coin you might seek, from gold bullion coins to ultra-rarities. We are highly rated by the Better Business Bureau and have successfully served the needs of tens of thousands of people by securely shipping millions of dollars worth of gold coins since 1995.

Thus, for the novice or first-time investor, ITM is the perfect fit. We will teach you how to buy gold coins, get to know your investment goals, and help you create a strategy to support them.