THE UNITED STATES MINTⁱ
Founded in 1792, the US Mint is a bureau of the US Department of the Treasury. The official mint of the US Government, it makes the nation’s circulating legal-tender coinage, and is regarded worldwide for its meticulous craftsmanship.

One measure of an investment is liquidityⁱ, or the ease with which an asset can be converted to cash.  US Bullion Coins with their unique backing by the US government can be sold for cash to most coin and precious metal dealers worldwide. Although the coin is also US legal tenderⁱ, its face valueⁱ is largely symbolic as the value of the precious metal it contains has been historically far greater. In addition to the coins listed below, the US Mint also offers the St. Gauden and the Liberty – both 21.6-karatⁱ, 90% pure gold, with beautiful artistry.

AMERICAN EAGLE GOLD BULLIONⁱ COINS

Authorized by Congress in 1985 and first minted in 1986, American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins are created according to the durable, .9167 fine or 22-karat standard established for circulating gold coins 350 years ago.

• Each coin contains its full, stated weight of pure gold, which by law must be taken from newly mine sources in America. The balance consists of silver and copper, added to increase the coin’s durability.
• The obverseⁱ is based on world-renowned American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ design for the prized 1907 $20 gold coin.  The reverseⁱ pictures a family of eagles, symbolizing family tradition and unity.
• The American Eagle Gold Bullion coins are official, investment-gradeⁱ, gold bullion coins.
• The United States government guarantees their weight, content and purity.
• They are welcome in major investment markets, worldwide and can even be included in your IRA.
• They can be purchased in one, one-half, one-quarter, and one-tenth ounce coins.
   

AMERICAN BUFFALO GOLD BULLION COINS
Authorized by Congress and first minted in 2006, American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coins are the first 24-karat, pure .9999, fine, gold coins produced by the US Mint.

• Each coin contains its full, stated weight of pure gold, which by law, must be taken from newly mine sources in America.
• The designs on both the obverse and reverse of this historic, American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coin were first executed by noted sculptor, James Earl Fraser on the Indian Head (or Buffalo) nickel which debuted in 1913 and was produced until 1938. Nearly 100 years later, Fraser’s designs on the 24-karat gold bullion coin feature an American Native portrait on the obverse honoring the legacy of the US’s first inhabitants, while the power of the American Buffalo on the coin’s reverse recalls the pioneering spirit of the Nation’s westward expansion.
• The American Eagle Gold Bullion coins are official, investment-grade, gold bullion coins.
• The United States government guarantees their weight, content and purity.
• They are welcome in major investment markets, worldwide and can even be included in your IRA.
• The coins come in one, one-half, one-quarter, and one-tenth ounce sizes.
   

AUSTRIAN MINTED COINS

The Philharmonic bullion coins, produced by the Austrian mint are available in both 24-karat gold and fine silver. Because the Philharmonic coins have worldwide recognition, they can be traded wherever major bullion coins are sold, making them very liquid.

• The Austrian Mint has been producing bullion coins for more than 800 years.
• The Vienna Philharmonic coins are named for the well-known orchestra.
• The design on one side of the coin features a bouquet of musical, stringed instruments and a Viennese horn. The obverse of the coin depicts the organ of the Golden Hall in Vienna, home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Sales of the Philharmonic gold coin soared 544% in the first two months of 2009 (vs. the same period the year before), with production at the country’s mint running quadruple its usual volume.
• Coins come in one, one-half, one-quarter, and one-tenth ounce sizes and the Austrian government guarantees their purity.
   

THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT
The gold Maple Leaf coin is the world's most popular pure gold coin. Since their introduction in 1979, over 20 million troy ounces have been sold. It is the first bullion coin to achieve the heightened standard of .9999 fine.

• The Gold Maple Leaf is available in five weights from one-twentieth of an ounce to one troy ounce.
• The Canadian Mint also offers one ounce gold bullion coins celebrating the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
• They also mint a .99999 Gold Maple Leaf. We recommend 1 ounce coins because of the high premiums on smaller coins.
   

THE AUSTRALIAN MINT
The Australian mint produces bullion collector coins, bullion investor coins, and bullion blanks. Australian bullion collector coins are the only major legal tender, pure gold or pure silver coins that change their designs annually though the subject is always a kangaroo on their gold coins and a kookaburra on their silver coins. Both silver and gold collector coins feature-limited mintages.

The Australian investor coins are recognized worldwide making them highly liquid. The pure gold coins picture the Australian Red Kangaroo and unlike the collector’s coins, the image does not change, year to year – only the year of issuance changes.
 

THE CHINESE MINT
Since its introduction in 1982, the Gold Panda coin has become renowned in the world of coin collecting and investing. The obverse is redesigned each year (except for 2002) with a different view of the giant panda in his habitat. The reverse of the coin depicts Tien Tien, The Temple of Heaven, one of the oldest temples in Beijing and remains the same from year to year. The coins are .999 fine.
 

THE SOUTH AFRICAN MINT
The Krugerrand, introduced in 1967, is the most widely owned bullion coin in the world with over 46 million ounces in circulation. It features the symbol of South Africa, the Springbok antelope, on the reverse side. The obverse features Paul Kruger, the last president of the Republic of South Africa. The coin is .916 fine, or 22-karat, and comes in one, one-half, one-quarter, and one-tenth ounce coins.
 

HOW TO BUY GOLD COINS
All gold coins sell at the metal’s prevailing market price, plus a small premium to cover coinage and distribution costs. To purchase any of these beautiful coins, we recommend you select a coin, shop the “all in price” cost (includes shipping) at other dealers. Note the spot priceⁱ. Then call ASI and get our best price.