May 18th, 2010 — Coin Series
With the price of gold at an all time high, many people are turning their attention to gold coins. The United States Mint just began offering their 24 karat gold bullion coins, the American Gold Buffalo. This series was introduced in 2006 in addition to the existing 22 karat American Gold Eagle.
The US Mint began sales of the 2010 Gold Buffalo bullion coins on April 29, 2010. Last year, the 2009-dated bullion coins went on sale October 15 and sold out by December 4. During this period, the US Mint sold 200,000 coins.
This year, bullion sales are off to a fast start with 90,000 of the one ounce coins sold through mid-May. If the US Mint can keep these coins available throughout the remainder of the year, the annual sales should break the record high of 323,000 set in 2006 for the inaugural year.
The US Mint will begin sales of the 2010 Proof Gold Buffalo on June 3, 2010. Once again this will be earlier than the start date for the 2009-dated proof coin, which was October 29. The US Mint sold about 50,000 of the collectible proof coins with sales ended on March 29, 2010.
May 29th, 2008 — Coin News, Coin Series
Today the US Mint will release the next coin in the First Spouse Gold Coin Series, honoring Louisa Adams. This will mark the second release of 2008 for the series and the sixth coin release overall.
The coin will contain one-half ounce of 24 karat gold and is limited to 40,000 units. The maximum units will be divided between proof and uncirculated versions of the coin based on demand.
The front of the coin features a portrait of the First Lady designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. The back of the coin, designed and sculpted by Joseph Menna, features Louisa Adams with her son Charles on a journey across Europe to join her husband.
The Mint has priced the coins at $619.95 for the proof version and $599.95 for the uncirculated version. Ordering is initially limited to one per household per option.
May 9th, 2008 — Coin Series
The Dolley Madison coin was the fourth release of the First Spouse Gold Coin Program. The series is currently awaiting the release of the sixth coin on May 29, 2008.
The Madison coin features her portrait on the front of the coin. The reverse shows her most famous act of heroism while serving as First Lady. She saved the White House cabinet papers and the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington just before oncoming British Troops burned Washington DC in the War of 1812.
Like all coins in the series, this one has a $10 face value and contains one half ounce of 24k gold. Coins are available in both proof and uncirculated versions. The maximum authorized mintage is 20,000 coins each for proof and uncirculated versions.
April 30th, 2008 — Coin Series
The Elizabeth Monroe coin is the fifth release of the First Spouse Gold Coin Series. The series began in 2007 and will run until at least 2016.
The Monroe coin features a portrait of the First Lady on the obverse of the coin. The reverse shows her reopening the White House after its burning at the hands of the British.
Similar to prior coins in the series, the coin carries a $10 face value and contains one half ounce of 24 karat gold. Coins are offered in both proof and uncirculated versions. The maximum authorized mintage is 40,000 coins across both ordering options.
April 30th, 2008 — Coin Series
Gold Krugerrands are the gold bullion coins of South Africa. These coins are notable because they were the world's first ounce denominated gold coin. First offered in 1967, they began to popularize the idea of individuals investing in gold bullion. The one ounce coins made it easy to acquire specified amounts of gold purely for precious metals investment purposes.
Coins contain 91.67% of 22 karat gold. The weight of the coins are 1.0909 ounces to yield exactly one ounce of gold. Starting in 1980, other sizes were offered.
The obverse of the coin depicts Paul Kruger. The reverse shows a springbok antelope.
