TRIVIA: Notable Gold Coins

Clinker · 03-31-2009, 11:02 AM

NOTABLE LARGE GOLD COINS

Throughout Numismatic history certain large gold coins were minted that garnered attention and importance to coin collectors, investors and the aristocracy of the period during which their prominence lived. I've selected four such coins for your consideration.

Notable Large Gold Coins Numbers three and four:

In the yesteryear days of "Merrie Olde England" numismatic attention was gained by the size of a certain gold coin.

Now, some of you are guessing, "Okay, Clinker's going to show us the Triple Unite gold coins made during the reign of Charles I."

You are right, but before I do, please know, there was a larger notable gold piece produced 70 years earlier than the Triple Unites. Photo courtesy of coinarchives.com (click photo for enlargement):

http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotvie...ID=387&Lot=306

Did you read all the accompanying text?

The notable gold coin you are about see was produced in Scotland during the reign of James VI, grandfather of Charles I:

http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotvie...D=421&Lot=3316

Large Gold Coin Number two:

NOTE: When you read about this coin and see its dimensions, you'll understand why I elected to bypass all the large denomination gold bullion coins of Australia, China, Panama, and Mexico.

This notable gold coin was produced by Austria's Vienna Mint on 1-01-2004 to commemorate the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. It weighs 1000 ounces, has a diameter of 370mm, a gold finess of 999.9 (24 karat) and, for security, a grained edge.

Here's the photo:

http://www.austrian-mint.at/phil_pra...eSubTypeId=209

That brings our quest to the Notable Large gold coin number one, The largest gold coin to date:

You probably know Canada holds the record, to date, for minting the largest Gold Coin. You, also, probably know it has a face value of 1,000,000 Canadian Dollars.

Is it legal tender?

Yes, but it doesn't bear a denomination. At today's Spot Price for gold the coin is worth over $2,000,000 Canadian.

How large is it?

It weighs 220.6 pounds,measures 21 inches in diameter and has a thickness of 1.2 inches.

Why was it made?

As you know, Canada began producing Maple Leaf Gold Coins at their Ottawa minting facility. To maintain their share of the world's bullion market they increased the purity
of their gold Maple Leafs to a 99.99 fineness. To not lose their shares of the world's gold market Australia, Austria and the United States of America soon followed suit.

When you look at the photo, click on it for an enlargement. Notice the fineness of this huge Gold Coin (99.9999). That, now, is the same fineness of all their gold Maple Leafs. This giant gold coin was minted to be used in Canada's Royal Canadian Mint's Gold Bullion advertisements.

Here's the photo:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oddlyE...28796820070503

Note: Royal Canadian Mint spokesman, Alex Reeves, tells us, "As soon as the ads and announcement articles appeared in numismatic newspapers and magazines along with world press coverage we started getting inquiries about the million dollar coin. A precious metals distributor, located in the United States, ordered three and there are interested parties in Asia and Europe."

Just thought you'd like to know, do you?

Clinker

**green18** · 04-02-2009, 07:35 PM

Thanks Clinker for another enjoyable read. I especially liked the English and Scottish gold coins.....lot o' history there.

Clinker · 04-03-2009, 12:01 PM

Hi green18:

Thanks, once more, foir reading and commenting...

Clinker

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