Sharps Pixley stock a wide range of 24 and 22 carat gold bullion coins, including the internationally recognisable South African Krügerrand, Canadian Maple Leaf, American Eagle, the Vienna Philharmonic from Austria and many more.
Below you can find profiles of some of the world’s most famous coins including the British Britannia, the South African Krügerrand, the Canadian Maple Leaf and the American Eagle:
The Britannia
The Britannia was issued in 1987, and was the first European investment gold coin. It has since become the most visually secure 24-carat bullion coin, recognised and trusted by investors around the world. The image of Britannia once adorned the coins of Roman Emperors and it has featured on the coinage of every British monarch since the 17th century. Philip Nathan’s classical design portrays Britannia as the female warrior and protector of the British shores, standing above the waves with trident, shield and olive branch in hand. She has come to embody the national identity of the United Kingdom; a symbol of strength, peace and protection. The Britannia’s status as British legal tender means they are exempt from Capital Gains Tax, and as such they are one of the most sought-after investment coins with UK investors and collectors. The one-ounce Britannia coin has a face value of £100. They are also issued in fractional sizes of one-half, one-quarter, and one-tenth of a troy ounce, with face values of £50, £25, and £10 respectively.
The South African Krügerrand
The South African Krügerrand has had a rich and complex history since it was first minted in Johannesburg, 1967. It is recognised as the world's first bullion gold coin, and it remains the most populous one-ounce investment coin in circulation. Its international prestige makes it a popular choice in any investor’s portfolio. This 22-carat gold coin made with a copper-gold alloy for additional durability is regarded as legal tender and has no face value. The obverse of the coin shows the face of Paul Kruger, an important political and military personality in the former South African Republic, whilst the reverse side shows the native springbok.
The Canadian Maple Leaf
The Canadian Maple Leaf was first introduced in 1979 to compete with the growing popularity of the Krügerrand. Celebrated as the first 24-carat investment gold bullion coin, with a fineness of 99.99%, it soon became one of the most recognised and traded coins on the market. The obverse side displays the image of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, while the reverse features the iconic maple leaf design, the international symbol and national identity of Canada. This one-ounce coin has a face value of CAD $50.
The American Eagle
The American Eagle, issued in 1986, features Augustus Saint-Gauden’s heroic design of Lady Liberty carrying a torch and olive branch. The reverse displays the national eagle representing the strength and unity of the United States. It has long since been the preferred bullion choice in the US market, and is globally regarded as a secure investment. The American Eagle is a 22-carat investment gold coin, and therefore it often rivals the 22-carat Krügerrand. The one-ounce American Eagle coin has a face value of US $50.