My first gold- where should I start?

I have been staying away from the internet, and now have the means to purchase my first tiny little gold coin. My cash budget is 400 dollars, but I would be willing to give away some other bits and pieces of my collection if it means I have a nice coin I will enjoy greatly

$1 coins are nice, but I saw some Constantinian gold that caught my eye too, although there is less PM value in it.

My friends- enlighten me!

 

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go for a quarter eagle bought my first last year paid $280 im planning on getting a half eagle this year

 

If I were in your position @Evan Saltis, I'd wait for gold prices to decline, but I'd consider any of the following coins. I'm also assuming you don't want any modern bullion coins or anything post-1933.

Quarter Eagle
A Byzantine Histamenon or Tremissis
British Sovereign
1926 American Sesquicentennial $2.50

 

I haven't been buying gold for a while due to this roller coaster ride. I'll offer this. Pre-33 gold comes with a tangible history. That's what makes it so enjoyable to me. I also think the the incused Indians are very enjoyable to own as your "first gold". They are beautiful and interesting. I bet you could find an indian quarter eagle in your price range. Try to buy from somebody you know. And I hate to darken the excitement, but Chinese gold seems to be done far better than Chinese silver coins. When you do buy, post a photo of course!

 

With gold prices so high right now, I think I would wait and do my research and when the price was right, buy one that struck my fancy.

 

Of course I'd wait it out- but now I have a little set aside to start looking.

 

I'm a British Sovereign guy. You can get them for a couple of dollars over melt from U.S. dealers.

 

i would strongly endorse this post. excellent.

 

Quarter eagle,half eagle,british sovereign and 1/2.

 

Can't go wrong with Justinian - a nice Solidus has just about the best intrinsic/numismatic price ratio out of any gold coin. This one cost about $350 for 4.5g of nearly pure gold (when gold was a bit cheaper 2 years ago)


Byzantine coins of the earlier period come in solidus (1) semis(1/2) and tremissis (1/3) denominations - the fractions are cheaper, but generally not proportionally so.

If you just want "any" gold, there is of course plentiful inexpensive options from India, including the Itty bitty (5-10mm!) fanams from South India - only about 1/3 of a gram, but they also only cost about $20 and are 200+ years old. My little Krishnaraja is one of the more interesting designs, cost $25, and you can fit three abreast on top of a US dime!

 

I like the Indian $2.50 piece . I don't know what I paid but their an awesome coin to own , I just wish I had mine still . I assume their more than $400 though . Good Luck Evan .

 

before I even drafted this threat I was looking at a Constans II tremissis. I probably will not get it as the one I found is a little crude for my first piece. I will likely go for a $1 gold. The Indian $2.5, honestly doesn't get me going. I suppose I don't like the style.

 

One dollar gold coins are really pricey, usually right around $300 on feebay and you hardly ever see them at coin shops and when you do they're usually graded examples that are priced very high. As far as weight goes, one dollar gold coins are a terrible investment, jmho. You could buy an American Gold Eagle Coin if you wanted and if you just bought a 1/10 you'd still have money left over. Below is a 1991 and the date is in Roman Numerals. Terrible pics but you get the idea!

 

I know they made the 1991W $20 1 Ounce Gold coin in 1991, but the only Gold Coins that I know of that has the year in Roman Numerals are the 1907 & 2009 Gold Coins. Did I miss one?

 

I like those pictures. SOrry I didn't reply sooner, this must have got lost in my notifications. Ive spent the money I set aside but you certainly have captured my mind. I know what I will be searching for now

 

I think all the AGEs had Roman numeral dates from 1986 through 1991.

I still occasionally miss the 1986 proof I sold, but it was the right decision at the time.

 

No worries, not a problem!

Yep, 1986 through 1991!

 

I've never seen an AGE back that far. I didn't start collecting until 1997 or so when I inherited my father's stash of coins. I need to dig a little farther back to increase my knowledge on gold coins.

 

I’m buying gold with both hands, even at my age
A couple 1/4 eagles but 90% GLD
If if need to sell ever, at a loss, it’s easy to sell something else that I have gains in to offset
It’s the national debt thing that keeps me bullish

 

I finally had time to check in my 2020 Red Book and checked it out. How ignorant (which means "not aware" not stupid) could I have been before i wrote my response. Thanks. I humbly apologize and hope to learn more.)