The U.S. Mint produces precious metal coins for collectors and investors in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Proof and uncirculated coins are collected for their limited mintage numbers, while bullion coins offer a way to invest in precious metals.
Proof and Uncirculated Coins
Produced for collectors, proof and uncirculated precious metal coins range in composition. They can be gold, silver, platinum, or palladium of varying ounces or karats.
The term “proof” refers to a specialized minting process that begins by manually feeding burnished coin blanks into presses fitted with special dies. Each coin is struck multiple times so the softly frosted, yet detailed images seem to float above a mirror-like field. Uncirculated quality coins are produced the same way as circulating coins, but with quality enhancements to create a brilliant finish.
Watch the video below to learn how proof coins are made.
This page contains the following video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/FnRboZn7Zvg
The Mint sells proof and uncirculated coins at a fixed price, and each coin includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Learn more about our proof and uncirculated coins.
Bullion Coins
A bullion coin is a coin that is valued by its weight in a specific precious metal. The U.S. government guarantees its weight, content, and purity. Unlike commemorative or numismatic coins valued by limited mintage, rarity, condition, or age, investors purchase bullion coins seeking a simple way to own and invest in the gold, silver, platinum, and palladium markets.
Watch the video below to learn how bullion coins are made.
This page contains the following video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/FnRboZn7Zvg
The Mint does not sell bullion coins directly to the public. Instead, the Mint distributes the coins through a network of official distributors called “authorized purchasers”. Authorized purchasers create a two-way market buying and selling to wholesalers, financial institutions, and other secondary retailers.
Pricing for bullion coins typically depends on the market price of the metal, plus a small premium to cover minting, distribution, and marketing costs.
Learn more about our bullion coin programs.
FAQs
Collectors and investors often consider US Mint coins a valuable addition to their portfolios. These pieces hold historical significance, potentially increase in value over time, and offer diversification.
Should you buy coins from the U.S. Mint? ›
Additionally, the US Mint produces a range of commemorative coinage that transcends their intrinsic metal value. Whether collected by collectors or investors, gold US Mint coins have a high purchase and resale value due to their historic and aesthetic value.
Which is the most precious metal used to Mint coins? ›
Some coins are made of pure gold (99.99 percent), but more often they are manufactured from 90 percent gold and 10 percent copper, as this makes the coin surface harder. After processing the gold, it is cast into bars.
Which U.S. Mint produces the most coins? ›
The Philadelphia Mint produces 47,250 coins per minute if all of its 63 presses are operational. The Denver Mint makes 40,500 coins per minute with its 54 coin presses. That results in millions of circulating coins each day.
What is the rarest mint mark on a coin? ›
The Rarest Mint Mark: 1870-CC
The 1870-CC mint mark is especially notable for several coins: 1870-CC Liberty Seated Dollar: This coin is one of the rarest, with only 11,758 pieces minted. In high grades, it can fetch upwards of several hundred thousand dollars.
What is the most valuable U.S. minted coin? ›
1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle ($20,165,100)
The U.S. minted the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle from 1907 to 1933. While all are quite valuable, the 1933 coin is the most sought after. Only one coin of this type exists legally in a private collection.
How much is a 1 oz gold coin worth today? ›
What is the current value of a one ounce Gold American Eagle coin? The current ask purchase price for a one ounce American Gold Eagle is: $2,512.00 and the current Monex bid selling price for one ounce Gold Eagle coin is: $2,425.60.
Can you buy gold and silver directly from the mint? ›
The United States Mint does not sell its bullion coins directly to the public. Instead, we distribute the coins through a network of official distributors called “Authorized Purchasers” who, in turn, create a two-way market buying and selling to wholesalers, financial institutions, and other secondary retailers.
Does the US Mint destroy old coins? ›
Coins can last around 30 years in circulation before they're too worn to use. When coins reach the end of their life, the Federal Reserve removes them from circulation. Old coins are melted down and used for other things.
What are the disadvantages of precious metal coins? ›
Cons of Investing in Precious Metals</h2>
- Lack of Income Generation. Unlike stocks or bonds that offer dividends or interest payments, investing in metals does not provide any regular income stream. ...
- Storage and Insurance Costs. ...
- Market Volatility. ...
- Limited Liquidity. ...
- Lack of Control.
“The Mint last had a general price increase in 2020; in the intervening period, the Mint's costs for materials and labor have risen dramatically, similar to other industries. “As a result, we must increase prices in order to ensure the numismatic program remains self-supporting, as required by statute.”
Does silver stick to a magnet? ›
Silver is not magnetic, not even with the strongest magnet. However, silver is diamagnetic. If you hold a silver coin at 45 degrees a suitable magnet will slide down it slowly. This is because the moving magnet sets up an 'electrical field'* that slows its fall.
Are pennies going away in 2024? ›
The U.S. Mint has no plans to discontinue the penny, and such a move would require congressional approval.
What is the oldest coin in the U.S. Mint? ›
The Mint delivered the nation's first circulating coins on March 1, 1793: 11,178 copper cents. These new cents caused a bit of a public outcry. They were larger than a modern quarter, a bulky size for small change.
How do I know what my mint coin is worth? ›
The value of a coin is based on its date & mintmark, its rarity, and its condition. Run an online search to identify what coin type you have, then contact a local coin dealer to assess your coin value.
How do I know if my U.S. coins are valuable? ›
Well, every coin has a mintage number that indicates how many examples of that exact coin were made at that origin of mintage. The lower the mintage, the higher the value of the coin (because there are less of them, and so there will be a higher demand for them).
Are mint State coins worth anything? ›
The ones you are able to find, however, may be worth more than their intended 25 cents. Those that are in mint condition and marked with a D or P (meaning they were produced in Denver or Philadelphia) could be worth as much as $3.50 if they have a certain state design, according to Coin Trackers.
Does the U.S. Mint sell coins directly to the public? ›
The United States Mint does not sell its bullion coins directly to the public. Instead, we distribute the coins through a network of official distributors called “Authorized Purchasers” who, in turn, create a two-way market buying and selling to wholesalers, financial institutions, and other secondary retailers.
