Numismatic Gold Coins: A Great Way to Own Gold

According to a news article on CoinUpdate.com, the US mint has announced prices for its 2011 numismatic gold and other metal products. These products include coin covers, bronze medals, annual set offerings, numismatic bags and rolls and other packaged sets.

The Beautiful Quarter Program will enter its second year in 2011 with the release of five freshly minted quarters. These quarters feature the Gettysburg National Military Park, the Glacier National Park, the Olympic National Park, the Vicksburg National Military Park, and the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The US mint also offers circulating gold coins from its two popular mints, Denver and Philadelphia, in bags and rolls. Other products in its numismatic product program include proof or uncirculated coins.

Another program known as the Presidential Dollars Program will enter its fifth year of release in 2011. The program will honor Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, and James Garfield through $1 circulating coins. Other products include First Day Coin Covers, half ounce 24 karat gold coins and other numismatic sets of proof or uncirculated coins.

Numismatic Gold Coins: The Best Buy

Numismatic gold coins are less influenced by the spot price of gold than gold bullion coins. A couple of things that influence the value of a numismatic piece are:

• The year in which that gold piece was minted.
• Where it was minted (the popularity of the mint).
• How rare a particular coin is as compared to other coins.
• How high the quality/grade

A coin that goes through a certain historical event may be valued higher than other coins. Therefore, it is advisable to do some thorough research before buying any kind of numismatic gold coin. New buyers should opt for well known companies to purchase such coins. Various things, such as a guarantee for delivering authentic certificated coins should be taken into account.

Some Collectible Numismatic Gold Coins

Minted during the 19th and the early 20th centuries, certain US gold coins are fine examples of artistic designs of that era. These designs include the famous American Liberty Head, Indian Head and $20 Saint Gaudens:

• The U.S. 1854 (Type I) Liberty Head Gold Dollar: Designed by James B. Longacre, the Liberty Head gold dollar coin is called ‘the King of American Coins’. It weighs around 1.672 grams and consists of 90% gold and 10% copper. This famous coin is 13mm in diameter. This was the first gold dollar issued in the US before it got substituted by the larger and thinner Indian Head Gold Coin.
• Liberty Head Quarter Eagle 1878: This coin with a $2.50 denomination was designed by Christian Gobrecht in 1878. On its obverse, it has the image of Lady Liberty surrounded by thirteen stars that represent the original 13 US colonies. The reverse of the coin depicts the American Eagle perching on an olive branch.
• The 1858 Indian Head U.S. Gold Coin: With an approximate diameter of 15 mm, this coin weighs equivalent to the Liberty Head gold dollar. It has the obverse of an Indian princess wearing a feathery crown as a token of liberty. Its Au-55 specimen was sold for $225 in June 2006.
• The 1910 Indian Head Quarter Eagle: Designed by Bela Lyon Pratt, the coin weighs around 4.18 gram. The face value of the coin is expressed on its reverse as $2.50. The obverse depicts the image of a queen and the reverse represents the fearless American Eagle in flight. Its MS-62 specimen graded by NGC was sold for $650 in June 2006.

Many numismatic issues that were originally minted after the 1850s are available today at affordable prices and sell for a little more than the bullion value. The reason for their easy availability and attractive prices is that these coins were minted in large quantities following the gold rush of California.