The U.S. Mint produces precious metal coins for collectors and investors in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Proof and uncirculated coins are collected for their limited mintage numbers, while bullion coins offer a way to invest in precious metals.
Proof and Uncirculated Coins
Produced for collectors, proof and uncirculated precious metal coins range in composition. They can be gold, silver, platinum, or palladium of varying ounces or karats.
The term “proof” refers to a specialized minting process that begins by manually feeding burnished coin blanks into presses fitted with special dies. Each coin is struck multiple times so the softly frosted, yet detailed images seem to float above a mirror-like field. Uncirculated quality coins are produced the same way as circulating coins, but with quality enhancements to create a brilliant finish.
Watch the video below to learn how proof coins are made.
This page contains the following video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/FnRboZn7Zvg
The Mint sells proof and uncirculated coins at a fixed price, and each coin includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Learn more about our proof and uncirculated coins.
Bullion Coins
A bullion coin is a coin that is valued by its weight in a specific precious metal. The U.S. government guarantees its weight, content, and purity. Unlike commemorative or numismatic coins valued by limited mintage, rarity, condition, or age, investors purchase bullion coins seeking a simple way to own and invest in the gold, silver, platinum, and palladium markets.
Watch the video below to learn how bullion coins are made.
This page contains the following video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/FnRboZn7Zvg
The Mint does not sell bullion coins directly to the public. Instead, the Mint distributes the coins through a network of official distributors called “authorized purchasers”. Authorized purchasers create a two-way market buying and selling to wholesalers, financial institutions, and other secondary retailers.
Pricing for bullion coins typically depends on the market price of the metal, plus a small premium to cover minting, distribution, and marketing costs.
Learn more about our bullion coin programs.
FAQs
Collectors and investors often consider US Mint coins a valuable addition to their portfolios. These pieces hold historical significance, potentially increase in value over time, and offer diversification.
Did the US Mint ever make a $50 gold piece? ›
Description: This fifty dollar octagonal gold coin—also known as a “slug”—was produced in 1851 in San Francisco. After the California gold rush began in 1849, it became apparent that a mint should be established on the West Coast to remove the need to ship the gold back to Philadelphia to be minted.
Is it worth buying gold coins from US Mint? ›
Additionally, the US Mint produces a range of commemorative coinage that transcends their intrinsic metal value. Whether collected by collectors or investors, gold US Mint coins have a high purchase and resale value due to their historic and aesthetic value.
Which is the most precious metal used to Mint coins? ›
Some coins are made of pure gold (99.99 percent), but more often they are manufactured from 90 percent gold and 10 percent copper, as this makes the coin surface harder. After processing the gold, it is cast into bars.
What is the rarest US minted coin? ›
The U.S. minted the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle from 1907 to 1933. While all are quite valuable, the 1933 coin is the most sought after. Only one coin of this type exists legally in a private collection. This 1933 Double Eagle sold for $18.9 million in a 2021 auction and now boasts a higher estimated worth.
What US coins are collectors looking for? ›
8 Rare Coins Worth Millions That Are Highly Coveted by Coin...
- 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar. ...
- 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. ...
- 1913 5C Liberty Head Nickel. ...
- 1804 Silver Dollar Original — Class I. ...
- 1787 $15 Brasher, Breast Punch. ...
- 723 Umayyad Gold Dinar. ...
- 1894-S Barber Dime. ...
- 1849 $20 Liberty Gold Coin.
How much is a 1 oz gold eagle worth today? ›
What is the current value of a one ounce Gold American Eagle coin? The current ask purchase price for a one ounce American Gold Eagle is: $2,632.10 and the current Monex bid selling price for one ounce Gold Eagle coin is: $2,541.50.
Can I get a $50 coin from the bank? ›
Where can I get new uncirculated coins? Neither the Federal Reserve Banks nor the U.S. Mint provide coins directly to the public for circulation purposes.
Which is better, gold eagle or gold buffalo? ›
Both the Gold Buffalo and the American Gold Eagle are exceptional investment bullion coins. Because of its increased purity, growing popularity, and lower supply, the Gold Buffalo currently stands out as the better coin to most investors, provided handling durability is not an issue.
Is 1 oz of gold a good investment? ›
And like all gold investments, 1-ounce bars can serve as a hedge against inflation. That means buying in now, while inflation remains high, could deliver big benefits.
Standard Gold Bars in Troy Ounces
1 troy ounce bars – Measuring 1.65 inches in length and 0.95 inches in width, 1 troy ounce gold bars are often more affordable for buyers, and they're much easier to store.
Should I buy 1 oz gold coins? ›
There are several reasons to consider investing in 1-ounce gold coins. These coins are often collectible and have a relatively low cost of entry. Moreover, the potential tax and diversification benefits that come with gold coin investments can be hard to ignore.
Can I buy gold coins directly from the US Mint? ›
Mint does not sell bullion coins directly to the public. Learn more about buying gold bullion coins. Prices are based on the market price of gold, which fluctuates daily.
What is the rarest metal on earth? ›
Here we'll discuss a few actual rare metals, present in the earth in miniscule amounts but which have important applications nonetheless. The rarest stable metal is tantalum. The rarest metal on earth is actually francium, but because this unstable element has a half life of a mere 22 minutes, it has no practical use.
How do I know what my mint coin is worth? ›
Mintage Means Money
One quick way to determine if a coin is rare or valuable is to look at the mintage. That's the number of copies of the coin that the US mint produced (aka issued). The lower the original number of copies printed, the more valuable a coin will likely become.
How do I know if my U.S. coins are valuable? ›
Consider the Coin's Mintage
The mintage, or the number of coins minted, is another important factor in determining a coin's rarity. Generally, the lower the mintage, the rarer the coin. This is especially true for early coins, which often had very low mintages.
Are mint State coins worth anything? ›
State quarters, issued as part of the 50 State Quarters Program by the United States Mint from 1999 to 2008, have become highly collectible. While most of these coins are worth their face value, some rare variations and errors have significantly increased in value over the years.
Does the U.S. Mint sell coins directly to the public? ›
They are intended to provide investors with a convenient and cost-effective way to invest in precious metals. Since their launch, American Eagles have become the world's number one bullion coin investment products. The United States Mint does not sell its bullion coins directly to the public.