The Most Popular Gold Coin, Ranked

Choose the gold coin you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:40
Collectors and enthusiasts often find themselves at a crossroads when attempting to identify the most celebrated gold coins. The sheer quantity of options, from historical pieces to modern commemoratives, poses a challenge. A dedicated list where these items are ranked according to popularity provides clarity and aids in the appreciation of each coin's unique value and history. By participating in the voting process, users not only contribute their expertise and preferences but also benefit from seeing how others rank various coins. This shared knowledge helps to create a collective understanding of what makes certain coins standout. It also offers a dynamic view that adapts over time with new votes, reflecting the latest trends and collector interests.

What Is the Most Popular Gold Coin?

  1. 1
    74
    votes
    American Gold Eagle
    United States Mint · Public domain

    American Gold Eagle

    United States Mint
    This coin is one of the most popular gold coins in the world due to its intricate design, high purity, and status as the official gold bullion coin of the United States.
    The American Gold Eagle is a gold bullion coin considered as one of the most popular gold coins worldwide. It was first introduced in 1986 by the United States Mint and has since gained immense popularity among collectors and investors alike. The coin features iconic American symbolism, making it a cherished piece of American history and culture.
    • Composition: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, 5.33% copper
    • Weight Options: 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz
    • Face Value: $50, $25, $10, $5
    • Diameter (1 oz): 32.70 mm
    • Thickness (1 oz): 2.87 mm
  2. 2
    26
    votes

    Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

    The Royal Canadian Mint
    These coins are highly sought after for their stunning design, high purity, and backing by the Canadian government.
    The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is a highly popular gold bullion coin minted by the Royal Canadian Mint. It was first introduced in 1979 as a competitor to the South African Krugerrand and quickly gained popularity for its high purity and beautiful design.
    • Purity: 99.99% pure gold
    • Denomination: 1 Canadian Dollar
    • Weight options: 1 gram, 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1 oz
    • Diameter: 30 mm (1 oz coin)
    • Thickness: 2.8 mm (1 oz coin)
  3. 3
    25
    votes

    South African Krugerrand

    South African Mint
    This coin is renowned for being the first modern gold bullion coin, and has a long history of popularity due to its high gold content and iconic design.
    The South African Krugerrand is one of the most popular gold coins in the world. It was first minted in 1967 and quickly gained popularity among investors and collectors. The Krugerrand is made of 22-karat gold and features a distinctive design that pays homage to South Africa's rich mining heritage.
    • Composition: 22-karat gold (91.67% pure gold)
    • Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.1035 grams)
    • Diameter: 32.77 mm
    • Thickness: 2.84 mm
    • Face value: Denominated in South African Rand (ZAR)
  4. 4
    11
    votes

    Australian Gold Kangaroo

    The Perth Mint
    The coin's unique design featuring the iconic kangaroo, combined with its high purity and guaranteed quality, make it a popular choice among investors and collectors.
    The Australian Gold Kangaroo is a widely recognized gold coin that is minted by the Perth Mint in Australia. It features a unique design of a kangaroo, which changes annually, making it highly collectible. The coin is renowned for its purity, quality, and iconic representation of Australian wildlife.
    • Metal: 99.99% pure gold
    • Denomination: Various (ranging from 1/20 oz to 1 kg)
    • Weight Options: 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz, 10 oz, 1 kg
    • Face Value: Varies depending on weight
    • Diameter: Ranges from 14.80 mm to 75.60 mm
  5. 5
    16
    votes
    These coins are highly sought after for their intricate designs featuring different images of pandas each year, and their high purity.
    The Chinese Gold Panda is a bullion coin that originated from China. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful coins ever made due to its exquisite design and high-quality craftsmanship. The coin features a variety of captivating designs, primarily depicting different images of pandas, which change annually, adding to its uniqueness and collectability.
    • Material: Gold
    • Fineness: 999.9 (24 karat)
    • Diameter: Varies based on the year
    • Weight: Varies based on the year
    • Denomination: 500 Yuan
    Chinese Gold Panda in other rankings
  6. 6
    8
    votes
    This coin is highly popular due to its unique design featuring the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as its high purity and backing by the Austrian government.
    The Austrian Gold Philharmonic is a popular gold bullion coin produced by the Austrian Mint. It was first introduced in 1989 and has gained worldwide recognition for its beautiful design and high quality. The coin's obverse features the Great Organ of the Golden Hall in Vienna's concert hall, while the reverse depicts a variety of instruments used in the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • Country of origin: Austria
    • Denomination: EUR 100
    • Metal: Gold
    • Fineness: 99.99% pure gold
    • Weight options: 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/25 oz
  7. 7
    13
    votes
    This coin has a long history dating back to the early 1800s, and is highly sought after for its historical significance, intricate design, and high gold content.
    The British Gold Sovereign is a well-known gold coin that originated in the United Kingdom. It has a rich history and is considered one of the most popular gold coins in the world.
    • Weight: 7.98805 grams (0.2354 troy ounces)
    • Diameter: 22.05 mm
    • Thickness: 1.52 mm
    • Fineness: 0.9167 (22 carat)
    • Edge: Reeded
  8. 8
    10
    votes
    These coins feature stunning designs depicting the Mexican independence movement, and are highly valued for their high gold content and limited mintage.
    The Mexican Gold Libertad is a highly regarded gold coin produced by the Mexican Mint. It is one of the most popular and sought-after gold coins in the world due to its beautiful design and historical significance.
    • Denomination: Available in various denominations, including 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz.
    • Purity: Made from .999 fine gold.
    • Obverse Design: Features the Winged Victoria representing Mexican independence.
    • Reverse Design: Depicts the Mexican coat of arms - a golden eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak.
    • Legal Tender: Recognized as legal tender in Mexico.
  9. 9
    13
    votes
    This coin has a long history dating back to the 19th century, and is highly respected for its high purity and iconic design featuring the Swiss coat of arms.
    The Swiss Gold Franc is a widely recognized gold coin that was minted in Switzerland. It was initially introduced in the late 1800s as a form of currency and quickly gained popularity among gold investors and collectors worldwide. The Swiss Gold Franc features iconic Swiss symbols and carries a historical significance.
    • Material: Gold
    • Purity: 90% pure gold
    • Weight: 6.45 grams (0.1867 troy ounces)
    • Diameter: 21 mm
    • Thickness: 1.25 mm
  10. 10
    3
    votes

    Isle of Man Gold Cat

    The Isle of Man Government
    These coins feature various images of cats each year, and are highly sought after by collectors for their unique designs and limited mintage.
    The Isle of Man Gold Cat is a highly sought-after gold coin that is renowned for its stunning design featuring a feline motif. It is considered one of the most popular gold coins in the world.
    • Denomination: 1 oz
    • Purity: 99.99% gold
    • Diameter: 32.7 mm
    • Thickness: 2.87 mm
    • Weight: 31.1 grams

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Ranking factors for popular gold coin

  1. Purity and Weight
    The purity and weight of gold content in the coin play a significant role in determining its popularity. Coins with higher gold content (measured in karats or percentage) and weight (measured in ounces or grams) are usually more valuable and sought after by investors and collectors.
  2. Design and Aesthetics
    The design and aesthetics of gold coins play a significant role in their popularity. Coins with intricate and attractive designs on obverse and reverse sides can attract more collectors and potentially demand a higher premium.
  3. Production and Mint
    The reputation of the mint that produces the gold coin can influence its popularity. Well-established and renowned mints typically produce coins with high-quality standards, which are more likely to be valuable and collectible.
  4. Mintage and Rarity
    The number of gold coins produced and their rarity can impact their popularity. Coins with low mintage or scarce availability are more likely to be sought after by collectors and might command higher premiums.
  5. Historical Significance
    Coins with historical significance or association with important events, figures, or nations can appeal to collectors and investors, contributing to their popularity.
  6. Legal Tender Status
    Gold coins that have legal tender status in their country of origin can be more easily traded and accepted for transactions, enhancing their popularity among collectors and investors.
  7. Recognition and Popularity
    Coins that have wide recognition and acceptance amongst numismatists, investors, and the general public are more likely to maintain or increase in popularity over time.
  8. Market Demand
    Market demand for specific gold coins can impact their popularity. If there is a high demand for a particular coin, it can increase its value and appeal to collectors and investors.
  9. Historical Performance
    The historical price performance and return on investment of a gold coin can influence its popularity among collectors and investors.
  10. Collectibility and Demand
    The collectibility and demand for a particular gold coin play an essential role in determining its popularity. Coins sought after by collectors and investors for various reasons, such as historical significance, rarity, or design, are inclined to be more popular.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular gold coin. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or coin is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2273 views
  • 197 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each coin once every 24 hours. The rank of each coin is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular gold coin

Gold coins have been used as a form of currency for thousands of years, and today they remain a popular investment option for many individuals. One of the most sought-after gold coins is the American Gold Eagle, which features a design based on the iconic "Walking Liberty" created by sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Other popular gold coins include the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, the South African Krugerrand, and the Chinese Gold Panda. Each of these coins has its own unique design and history, making them a fascinating addition to any collection or investment portfolio. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a first-time investor, gold coins are a timeless and valuable choice.

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