What is the Best World Gold Bullion Coin??

Question

Krugerrand?? Philharmonic?? Panda?? Which world bullion coin can you sell the easiest?

Answer 1

Each coin has some subtle advantages and disadvantages.  (The Canadian Maple Leafs might also be included in this set for discussion, as well.)

The following is off the top of my head, and bears verification:

Traditionally, Pandas have sold at the highest premium over face value.  Many of these, particularly earlier coins, have relatively low mintages and are of interest to coin collectors, as well as for their bullion content.  (One concern here - and I don't know about the gold coins - but the silver Pandas and other, older silver Chinese coins have many counterfeits.)

As well, Krugerrands have often sold for the best gold-to-price ratio, as they've been least valued in the marketplace.  This may be a residue of the widespread disdain for the apartheid South African regime that issued there.

Another factor is purity.  Some of these coins are .999 fine (as pure gold as is generally possible), while other gold bullion coins, such as the American Gold Eagle, are .900 fine or other, lower finenesses, and are alloyed with copper, silver, or other metals which represent the remaining metal content.

.999 fine coins are more highly sought after in parts of Asia, for instance, and some buyers there and elsewhere won't buy coins with a lower fineness.  (That may be one reason that the .999 fine American Gold Buffalo coin was also issued by the US Mint, alongside the American Gold Eagle.)  On the flip side, coins with lower gold content (below .999 fine) are harder and less likely to develop rim bumps or dents if accidentally dropped or struck, for instance.

Finally, this discussion suggests some other possible factors that may influence the relative price of various gold bullion coins of otherwise idential gold content.  These include the reddish cast of the Krugerrands (due to their copper alloy), and the need on the part of dealers or other sellers to report to the IRS on large sales of certain coins, but not others:

Krugerrands vs Maples - why the spread?

https://www.kitcomm.com/showthread.php?t...

Answer 2

krugerrands have an unattractive colour to them because of the copper, however they are very established in the market. maple leafs and lunars are the wave of the future IMO if you plan on holding the coins for a while.