Best old coins to buy for bullion?

What would you recommend for to buy for the best old coins to buy for their gold bullion value?

A) I am looking for something that contains gold and can be purchased for close to spot.

B) Has good, easy resale value.

C) Is easy to verify by weight, diameter, hard to counterfeit.

 

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I personally like sovereigns. For gold, I stay away from U.S. coins since the premiums seem to be way steeper than foreign stuff.

 

@furryfrog02 , I guess you're saying that sovereigns have easy resale value?

 

I haven't seen any issues with resale. They are easily recognizable, a known weight/purity, etc...things that one would look for. I think it also helps that since they aren't full 1oz AU (which can be pricey) they are easier to buy and sell.

 

Personally, I recommend 2.5 peso Mexican gold coins, and $5 commemorative gold coins, which are sometimes sold online for their bullion content. Furthermore, Ampex.com has a good selection of gold coins that are sold for their bullion content (but some other places likely sell them for a few dollars cheaper.) I hope that this helps.

 

These aren't old, but in central Ohio, they're readily available at 2% over spot, proof or uncirc. I bought three $5 gold commems this week, and the guy delivered them, they're still on my desk, $315 each.

Nobody wants them: the various U.S. $5 pieces, 1990s to present, out of 3-coin sets produced by the Mint, which never sold very enthusiastically, except the Jackie Robinson.

Sovereigns are OK, note that there are some VERY rare dates among the South African and Australian sovereigns. But down the road, the average amateur buyer will shy away from them. I do not buy foreign gold bullion, don't have any, not even Canadian gold maples.

Australia sovereigns, several years ago, in Krause:
1920-S, $150,000 at auction;
1922-S, $17,000;
1923-S, $13,000;
1926-S, $17,000.
The "M" (Melbourne) and "P" (Perth) mints are much more common. "S" is the Sydney mint. I suppose they have been counterfeited, just like everything else of value.

South Africa sovereign, 1924-SA, $5,000.

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I like the $5 gold commems because they're pictured right in the Redbook.

 

I like the tiny 2 and 2.5 Mexican pesos, containing 90% gold.

 

I like the $5 gold commems as mentioned.

If you want a little more history the pre-33 Double Eagle Liberty's in polished can be bought for about $36 over spot.

 

I like the $5 commems which can be found just over spot, picked this one up last year for $300.

 

that's one of my favorite $5 Commems. Though I've never decided to get a uncir or proof one. LOL they're just both nice.

 

really, thats so cool! Thank you for the knowledge

 

For me, the thing about $5 commemoratives is that they are so pretty, they have a limited mintage, they are produced by the government, and they can be purchased for not too much over spot!!!!! The value, in my opinion is going to be fairly strong in the future in comparison to other gold coins because the market for commemoratives seems to be so weak for some reason.

 

Swiss 20 franc. I frequently pick up for $9 above melt. US $5 commemorative as mentioned earlier, I have picked up at spot when lucky off Ebay.

 

Be careful of the Mexican 2 and 2.5 pesos. There are counterfeits. But if they are genuine it is a good bet. I also agree with buying sovereigns. Old ones in low grade are a good price and modern ones if any grade are close to spot. The old European ones from France, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy and Netherlands can also be bought close to spot if you are patient but they generally seem to have a slightly higher premium.

But unless you specifically want old ones I would think your best bet would be 1/10 oz AGEs.

 

People have offered a lot of good suggestions for gold availble close to spot.

However, one most note that for a coin to be offered near melt, it is likely that it won't have "good, easy resale value."

Now it is true that sovereigns, gold pesos, $5 and $10 dollar US Mint gold commems, certain first spouse gold, and various other pieces can be bought close to spot. They can also be sold. However, expect to sell them for at least 2-3% under melt for it to be "easy" since many people don't like these coins. If spot goes up, that 2-3% under melt is good, but in other cases it is not.

I prefer to stick to more traditional gold products like Gold Eagles, Maples, and Buffalos. The eBay daily deals page can often have specials where you can get one of those three for $15-$40 over spot per oz.
Another item to consider is Gold Pandas or Lunars. These might have a slightly higher premium but can also be considered semi-numismatic (meaning collectors may still pay a premium even if gold goes down...note that these are not items to be selling to your local coin store; they won't pay a premium).

In general I'd say to diversify your gold. Get some gold near spot (commems, sovereigns, etc) for when spot rises; get some Eagles and Buffalos if your place to sell is a local coins store; explore other options like Pandas and Lunars for when spot goes down.

 

Krugerrands! !

 

I love me some pre 1933 gold. Common date $20 double eagles can be found for lower premiums. Apmex just had a special, combined with a 10% eBay bucks promotion, resulted in an "AU" liberty head double eagle for less than melt.

 

I have a bunch of Sovereigns. I always pick them up around melt - and believe it or not, there are some older ones that have numismatic value. I picked up a bunch last summer and got some of the better mint marks from Australia and I think one from Bombay? I forget - but it had a premium on it.

They our the UK's half eagle basically.

Take a look at the sticky thread at the top of the forum. I listed a few types of bullion coins - including some middle eastern that are equivalent to the half eagle / sovereigns.

 

1984 dated $10 gold Olympic commemoratives. They usually trade right at spot and have just under a half ounce of gold. I wonder that in a couple of decades they might actually become rare because of melting.