China has emerged as the fastest growing market for Gold Coins and bars. The Asian demand for gold coins and bars equalled almost 91 tonnes in the first three months of 2011, representing a 123% surge over the same period a year earlier. If these look like fascinating figures for gold buyers, look at the next set of numbers. The worldwide demand for various types of gold coins and bars in 2010 was a little short of 1,200 tonnes.

Types of Gold Bullion Coins

With the growing demand for gold the world over, buying gold coins has become more than an interesting hobby. There are various types of gold bullion coins that have become popular among people worldwide. Here’s a look at some of them.

The American Gold Eagle: This is the official gold bullion coin of the US. On the obverse side, the coin features Lady Liberty carrying a torch, while on the reverse it has a male eagle holding an olive branch and protecting its nest. This gold coin is made of gold that is mined in the US. Apart from gold, it contains an alloy of copper and silver. This alloy makes the coin look new by reducing wear and tear. These coins are available in denominations of $5, $10, $25 and $50. For coin collectors, a proof version of American Gold Eagles is produced by the US Mint.

The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf: This is produced by the Royal Canadian Mint and is made of gold that is mined in Canada. It is popular among collectors, as it is the purest gold coin in the world (at 99.99%). In 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint had produced a deluxe version of the coin – weighing 100 kg, having a thickness of 3cm thick and width of 55cm. The face value of the deluxe Gold Maple Leaf was one million dollars.

The Brittania: This is the official bullion coin of Britain. It contains 91.7% gold. Apart from gold, the coin contains either copper or silver. These coins are available in denominations of £10 (weighing a tenth of an ounce of troy gold), £25 (weighing a quarter of an ounce of troy gold) and £50 (weighing half of an ounce of troy gold). The coin weighing one ounce of troy gold has a face value of £100.

The South African Krugerrand: This is produced by the South African Mint Company. This coin is meant for circulation and is, therefore, made of a highly durable gold alloy. The coin bears former South African President Paul Kruger on the obverse, while it has a springbok (a national symbol of South Africa) on the reverse. For coin collectors, a proof version of the Krugerrand is manufactured.

The Chinese Gold Panda: This is a unique coin not only because it is highly pure, at 99.9% gold. On the obverse, the coin depicts a Temple of Heaven design. The reverse of the coin always features a panda; however, the design keeps changing every year. Proof versions of the Gold Panda are produced for collectors.

As widely expected, the price of gold rose during the global recession. However, the price continues to rise, with a struggling recovery in the US and other economies. With this in mind, it has become even more popular to own various types of gold coins.