Venturing into the fascinating world of gold coin collecting? Prepare to be awed. There are several noteworthy gold coins that appeal to the most avid coin collectors all over the world. Among the top five most commonly traded gold bullion coins which have generated much attention and have become must-have collectibles for people of all ages and inclinations is the Krugerrand from South Africa. It carries the distinction of being the most famous gold bullion coin during the 1970s era.

The South African Krugerrand is a great coin investment. First minted in 1967, Krugerrands were the first gold bullion coins produced in exact 1-ounce size. They were sold for the spot gold price with a slight mark-up which covered manufacture and distribution. These gold coins played an important part in South Africa’s socio-economic history. Krugerrands facilitated the marketing of the vast stores of gold that emanated from the deep mines around Johannesburg.

The gold coin got its name from Paul Kruger, the statesman who served as president of the South African republic in 1883.. A close look at the South African Krugerrand will reveal the image of the President while on the reverse is a spring book antelope, a national symbol of South Africa. It’s a beautiful piece of coin that harks back to a country’s history and culture.

Krugerrand gold bullion coins are a safe type of investment mainly because the price of gold withstands the test of time. Though they have been circulated, Krugerrands are still opted for by coin collectors which evoke a certain kind of appeal. As special coins consisting of 22 carats of gold melded with copper, Krugerrands were supremely durable, emerging as a worthwhile collectible for the astute investor. Proof versions of South African Krugerrands were also highly favored.

In retrospect, privately-owned gold bullion coins were restricted in the United States from 1933 to 1975. Gold coins came to mean coins of numismatic value, whose value was determined by the each coin’s rarity, condition and other factors. The gold coin value in this case can far exceed the value of the gold the coin contains.

When the South African Government introduced the Krugerrands in 1967, it set the stage for a coin with legal tender status which can be traded just for its gold value.

South Africa, which ranks among the largest gold producers in the world, had the foresight to see that gold ownership would become increasingly popular among private individuals. With visible signs of a weakening dollar, the monetary standard of the world was changing, and gold would be playing a crucial role alongside those changes.

The relative ease with which a coin enthusiast/investor can shop around for high quality coins like Krugerrands make them a wise investment. The Krugerrand’s sheer durability likewise gives assurance that the coin collector or trader will encounter very little difficulty in reselling such coins in excellent condition.

A Guide to Rare Coins in Circulation Today

It’s usually a small thing that turns regular looking money into valuable rare coins. Last year’s materials used instead of this year’s, a tiny symbol left off a minting die. Collectors covet the unusual and uncommon above all else, and these minor oversights result in a very limited number of coins. This means that supply is much lower than demand, and even something that looks almost exactly like a common penny can actually be a precious rare coin. Even more interesting is that many of these rare coins were released into circulation before anyone realized that a mistake had been made. Because not many people know what distinguishes precious rare coins from run-of-the-mill legal tender, these coins can remain in circulation for decades, until a lucky coin collector recognizes them.

How would you feel if you knew that you had handed over a penny worth $2,000 or more as change for a dollar? This guide will help you recognize a few exceptional American rare coins that you just might have lying around your house, shoved in a change jar, or tucked away into a pocket.

Rare Coins with Mistakes in the Printing
One of the most common mistakes that turn normal coins into limited rare coins is a mistake in the printing. In the case of a nickel minted in 1964, the problem happened when a plate was cleaned too often, and a part of one letter was worn away, leaving the Jefferson nickel with the inscription “E PLURIDUS UNUM.” It took collectors quite some time to catch on to the misspelling of the word “PLURIBUS,” but now these limited nickels are highly sought after. A similar problem resulted in the 1970-S Atheist Cent, when the motto “In God We Trust” was covered with a blob of metal, causing it to read only “In God.”

Another common oversight is when the mint mark, the tiny letter on most American coins that indicates which mint created the coin, is missing or incorrect. Some rare coins with this mistake include the The 1982 no-P Roosevelt dime. The Philadelphia mint used no mint mark until 1980, when it started stamping coins with tiny P’s. Yet somehow, a small number of dimes minted in 1982 were a throwback to the time before the mint mark, and bear no letter P. There were only a few coins with this error, and their scarce nature has made them valuable to collectors. A similar problem happened in Philadelphia a few years later, when the P on the die of some 1989 quarters was clogged with dirt, preventing the coins from being properly stamped.

Rare Coins with Double Printing
Minting problems don’t only involve the writing on the coin. Sometimes a problem with the die causes a coin to be double stamped accidentally, resulting in a very unusual form of rare coins. Some precious coins with double stamping include doubled-die Lincoln cents from 1972, 1983, and 1984, and a doubled quarter minted in New York in 2001.

Rare Coins with the Wrong Metals
Other than printing problems, another reason why rare coins can be minted is when the wrong precious metals are used to make the coins. American coins have undergone several changes in material. For example, during World War II, pennies were made out of steel, because copper was needed for the war effort. Nevertheless, a very few pennies were minted in 1943 out of copper instead. These rare coins are worth upwards of $200,000 today, and they look exactly like any other penny.

As you can see, sharp-eyed coin collectors can really make a profit by keeping their eyes for rare coins in everyday transactions. Most people wouldn’t look twice at a unique find like a 1943 copper penny or a dime that’s missing a letter nearly too small to see. By knowing what coins are limited and rare, you could make an exceptional find just sorting through your household change.

Coin collecting is one of the few hobbies where you can get tremendous satisfaction and enjoyment and actually get all your money back and even profit handsomely if you collect wisely. Coin collecting is much more enjoyable when you have the right resources. Numismatic or Coin Collecting is the science of coins under an economic, legislative, metrological and artistic point of view. Apart of US and Canada where coin collecting is already matured, it’s growing fast in Australia and Europe.

Gold

Gold coins are something of a rare commodity. Coins sometimes purchased for investment purposes include ancients,Morgandollars, Walking Liberty halves and older gold coins. You can invest in hard currency, which can be profitable — especially in recent years since the price of gold and silver has been on the rise (for example, gold has doubled against the dollar since 2001). At all times the Gold Eagle coins that are produced are not only backed by the United States Mint in relation to how much they weigh and what they contain, but original ones will need to have been authorized for production by Congress. The US Mints introduction of the State Quarter Series, Buffalo Gold $50, and the new Nickels have really increased the number of new collectors and have infused the hobby with excitement.

Rare coins

Rare coin market came from coin collectors who bought coins for their beauty and historical significance. Rare coins are interesting because their rarity makes them precious and fascinating. People engage in hobbies at all ages and some of those hobbies include collecting interesting and sometimes valuable objects such as rare or foreign coins or rocks or unusual looking junk that poses as interesting conversation pieces and works of art. Gold and silver scarce rare coins offer two ways to build wealth- the intrinsic security of precious metals plus profit potential regardless if gold and silver spot prices increase or decrease. While it was once known exclusively as the “the hobby of kings” due to the high cost of coins, today coin collecting is for people of all ages, from the young collectors who save the new “Statehood Quarters” to gold investors who focus on rare gold coins.

Sellers

Be wary of sellers at flea markets, antique shops, or other on-targeted markets where the seller may inflate their prices or sell problem coins to unknowledgeable customers. The grade of a coin is an important tool to both sellers and collectors of coins. Internet sellers are a desirable sources as they often are accountable for their merchandise and do not charge high prices and fees to deliver their products. You must be aware and warned that some of these sellers are frauds and will not make the price you pay worthwhile. Coin auctions is where willing buyers come together with willing sellers. An easy way to browse and buy collectible coins is to use coinsale.org. They are linked to eBay and have an easy interface for your browsing pleasure.

Conclusion

Coin collecting is not really about investment, it should be a fun and thrilling hobby. Coin collecting is a fun hobby to start and the thrill of hunting for old coins is enough for many people to continue doing it. The old adage in coin collecting is that you can spend every penny you have on your hobby, and still have money left over. As mentioned above, I will recommend coinsale.org for collectors.