The 5 Best 1 oz Gold Coins to Buy for Your Investment Portfolio

With so many types of gold coins available on the market today, the question may have crossed your mind: “What’s the difference between all these coins?”

With so many types of gold coins available on the market today, the question may have crossed your mind:

"What's the difference between all these coins?"

For newer collectors and investors, understanding the types of coins and the terminology involved can be a bit overwhelming. Proof coins, bullion coins, certified coins - how are they different, and which one is the right option for you to buy?

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In this article, we'll go over the top five best gold coins to purchase for either investment or collecting purposes. 

At the end of this article, you'll know exactly which coin is the best gold coin to buy, as well as what factors influence the price of the gold coin.

Top 5 Best 1 oz Gold Coins to Buy

#1 American Buffalo Gold – United States Mint

Minted by the United States Mint, beginning in 2006, the Gold Buffalo was produced to compete with the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coin. 

The main difference between the Gold Buffalo and the Gold Eagle is the gold they're made from. While both are made exclusively from gold mined within the United States, the Gold Buffalo is made of 24 karats .9999 fine gold. This is a slightly higher purity than the Gold Eagle coin, which is made of 22 karats .9167 gold.

American Buffalo Gold – United States Mint

#2 American Gold Eagle – United States Mint

Since its debut in 1986, the 1-ounce Gold Eagle coin has been one of the most popular coins produced by the United States. 

Made of gold exclusively mined within the United States, the 1-ounce Gold Eagle coin is also considered to be legal tender, with a face value of $50 USD.

US Mint – Gold Eagle Coin (1oz)

#3 Gold Maple Leaf – Royal Canadian Mint

Minted every year by the Canadian government, the Gold Maple Leaf coin is made of 100% pure gold mined from within Canada.

Since the Gold Maple Leaf's debut in 1979, this coin has become a favorite amongst investors and collectors alike due to its quality and purity.

Royal Canadian Mint – Gold Maple Leaf Coin (1oz)

The Gold Maple Leaf is also recognized as legal tender in Canada, carrying a face value of $50 Canadian dollars.

#4 Gold Britannia – United Kingdom Royal Mint

Minted by the United Kingdom Royal Mint, the 1-ounce Gold Brittania was refined in 2013 from .9167 to .9999 pure gold. 

The Gold Brittania carries a face value of $100 and contains one troy ounce of pure gold.

UK Royal Mint – Gold Britannia (1oz)

#5 Gold Krugerrand – South African Rand Refinery

The 1-ounce Gold Krugerrand coin was first produced in 1964. The Gold Krugerrand was the first South African gold coin that was available to the public.

Unique from the other gold coins on this list, the South African Krugerrand contains only 91.7% gold. The remaining portion of the Krugerrand coin consists of copper.

The Krugerrand is widely available and is one of the most popular gold bullion coins on the market today.

How Are Gold Coins Valued?


Now that you're familiar with the types of gold coins available on the market, you're probably wondering how to assess a fair price to pay for the coins. 

While gold is typically traded by weight at the going market rate or "spot price," the price of a gold coin can vary widely based on a variety of factors. 

Some of the factors that influence the price of a gold coin include the weight, type of coin, condition, and even the individual seller of the coin.

How to Find the Best Gold Coin Prices

When it comes to gold coins, there are a few types of coins that you should be aware of. Some types of coins include:

  • Certified coins: a 'certified coin' is a coin that has been appraised by a professional grading company (such as NGC) and assigned a rating from 1 to 70 on the Sheldon Coin Grading Scale. In most instances, a certified coin will carry a more excellent value than a coin of the same type that is not certified.
  • Uncirculated coins: an uncirculated coin has either not entered general circulation, was removed during the production process or is certified with a mint state of 60 or above. Generally, mints produce uncirculated coins in much larger quantities than proof coins, making them far less expensive.
  • Proof coins: a proof coin is the finest quality gold coin produced by the United States Mint. Proof coins are struck using a unique minting process, resulting in a much higher-quality coin that is more appealing to collectors.
  • Bullion coins: a bullion coin is a coin that contains precious metals, such as gold and silver. Often, bullion coins are purchased in larger quantities and held as investments. In most cases, the value of bullion coins correlates to the value of the precious metals in the coin, as well as the condition that the coin is in.

Choosing the Best Size Gold Coin


When it comes to gold coins, a coin's size is an essential factor in determining its value. Coins with larger diameters and thickness are worth more than coins of a smaller size.

It's important to note that size alone isn't the only determining factor. Coins that are more scarce or that have historical context may fetch a higher premium, regardless of their size.

 Condition of the coin

Another critical factor in determining a coin's value is the condition of the coin. Collectors are likely to pay a premium for coins that are more appealing to the eye. 

Coins that have been assessed by a professional coin grading company (such as NGC) are assigned a grade based on their condition. 

As mentioned above, this grade is based on the Sheldon Coin Grading Scale, which ranges from 1 to 70. A coin with a higher grade is more valuable to collectors than the same coin with a lower grade.

Verdict

Final Verdict


That's right, even the location where you purchase your gold coins can affect the value of the coin. When making purchases of gold coins, it's essential to ensure you're buying from a reputable dealer. Some gold dealers use shady tactics, charge hidden fees, and have a high sales tax rate.

Many collectors and investors choose to buy their gold coins from reputable online dealers. Buying gold online helps avoid the pressure of in-person sales, allowing you to make a more informed decision. Make sure to read the reviews and do some research about the company before making a purchase.

About the Author

Since 2008, Savary Gold has been one of the world's leading mining exploration & investment resources for gold and precious metals. SavaryGold.com's mission is to provide proven insider knowledge resources about retirement investing to its readers to make informed investment decisions and better manage risk.

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  1. Yes, gold has been an incredible investment option. Buying the right gold coin tends to give you a better return. The 5 gold coins described here are really great. But if you allow me to put my view, I will definitely opt for the 1OZ Gold Britannia coin one.

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