The 1 Oz Gold Coin: A Great Investment and Precious Collectible

A 1 oz gold coin is a popular investor’s coin containing 1 troy ounce (31.1035 grams) of pure gold. But these coins also come in diverse sizes, designs, and face values.

Buying 1 oz gold coins is a perfect opportunity to diversify your investments or expand your coin collection.

In our years of experience at Coins Auctioned, we know that gold coins are a fantastic choice for sprucing up your collection with a beautiful asset.

We’re sharing our industry knowledge today on 1 oz gold coin types and values, plus tips for selling or buying 1 oz gold coins.

Pictured above: Obverse of 1 oz gold Year of the Tiger proof coin from Australian Lunar Series

Specifications

First let’s lay some groundwork.

Denominations: Some numismatists refer to coin denominations as weight or purity, but we’re talking about currency amounts (cents, dollars, etc.) 1 oz gold coin denominations vary from $20 to $100.

Purity: The 1 oz gold coins we're discussing range in purity from 21.6K (90% pure gold) up to 24K. However, the 24K options range from 99.9% pure (called "3 nines" fineness) to 99.999% pure (called "5 nines" fineness).

Gold Weight: A 1 oz gold coin contains 1 troy ounce of pure gold, meaning 1.097 standard ounces. For the sake of this article, when we say “oz” we mean troy ounce. In grams, a 1 oz gold coin has 31.1035 grams of pure gold.

The total weight of a 1 oz gold coin is NOT 1 standard ounce. The “1 oz” refers to the pure gold inside, which varies by purity.

In summary: All 1 oz gold coins contain the same amount of pure gold, regardless of purity, but their total weight may differ.

Types of 1 Oz Gold Coins

All 1 oz gold coins fall under one or more of these categories:

• Circulated: Used in day-to-day commerce; Not common for gold coins today

• Uncirculated: Made for collectors, not day-to-day currency use but often still legal tender; Also term used by graders for better coin condition

• Proof: Among most valuable collectible coins, only minted in limited quantities; Made with special dies (stamps), multiple strikes for greater detail, and special finishes or backgrounds (often “frosted” mirror-like appearance)

• Bullion: Uncirculated investment coins similar to proofs but with more standard finishes, less intricate designs, higher mintages (more coins minted), and lower prices; Usually 22K to 24K (91.67% to 99.99% pure gold)

Important types of 1 oz gold coins to know are:

Krugerrand

Pictured above: Reverse of 1975 1 oz South African Gold Krugerrand

Krugerrands are the most popular 1 oz gold coins worldwide. These South African coins, first minted in 1967, were the first 1 oz bullion coins ever. They’re named for the South African Republic President Paul Krugger and the South African currency rand.

• Purity: 22K (91.7% pure)

• Obverse: Profile of Krugger with "SUID‑AFRIKA · SOUTH AFRICA" inscription

• Reverse: Springbok antelope pronking with inscriptions of gold weight, mintage year, and “KRUGERRAND”

These 1 oz gold coins dominated the international gold coin market by the 1980s, but fell off when countries outlawed importing them during apartheid.

Unlike many coins, a Krugerrand's value is its weight, not a fixed face value.

American Gold Eagle

Pictured above: Reverse of 1 oz American Gold Eagle coin | Image credit: Mb1000, Public domain

American Gold Eagles are the official US bullion coins, first minted in 1986. You’ll see 1 oz gold eagle coins specified as “1-ounce American Gold Eagle” to avoid confusion with the pre-1933 $10 US “eagle” coin.

• Purity: 22K (91.7% pure)

• Face Value: $50 USD

• Obverse: Version of full-length Statue of Liberty (Lady Liberty) with inscriptions of mintage year and “LIBERTY”

• Reverse: 1986 to 2021 - male eagle carrying olive branch & flying over nest with female eagle and her baby; 2021 on - close-up of eagle’s head

• Other Weights: 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz

Roman numeral dates appear on 1986 to 1991 Gold Eagles, with Arabic numeral dates on Gold Eagles minted from 1992 on.

A similar 1 oz gold coin is the American Buffalo, introduced in 2006 as the US Mint’s first 24K gold proof coin.

The Gold Buffalo coins are limited-edition proof bullion coins with a design inspired by the 1913 Type I Buffalo Nickel or “Indian Head” coin. They also have a $50 USD face value.

Liberty Gold Coin

Pictured above: Obverse of 2015 1 oz gold Liberty Coin | Image credit: US Mint, Public domain

A newer American addition, the American Liberty high relief coin is a proof gold coin minted since 2015. The 1 oz coin has the highest denomination of any US coin.

• Purity: 24K (99.99% pure)

• Face Value: $100 USD (first in US)

• Obverse: Changes every 2 years, often Lady Liberty

• Reverse: Changes every 2 years, always eagle featured

• Other Weights: 2.5 oz (2019) – also uncirculated, not proof

The 1 oz liberty gold coin designs are submitted through the Artistic Infusion Program.

Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

Pictured above: Obverse of 1 oz gold Canadian Maple Leaf coin atop 1 oz silver Canadian Maple Leaf coin | Image credit: Calgary Reviews, Flickr, CC-BY-SA-2.0

The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (GML) is the official Canadian bullion coin, introduced by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) in 1979 as the second gold bullion coin available worldwide after the Krugerrand.

• Purity: 24K; 99.9% pure until 1982, 99.99% pure after 1982, 99.999% pure for special $50 CAD & $200 CAD editions (2005-2016)

• Face Value: $50 CAD

• Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II effigy, replaced with King Charles III effigy in 2024, with inscriptions of mintage year, “ELIZABETH II” and “50 DOLLARS”

• Reverse: Canadian maple leaf with inscriptions of fineness (as “999” or “9999” on either side of leaf), “CANADA” and “FINE GOLD 1 OZ OR PUR”

• Other Weights: 1/25 oz, 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1 gram (0.032 oz)

Since 2013, these coins have been protected with BULLION DNA™ anti-counterfeiting technology, a top-notch authentication measure.

American Double Eagles

Pictured above: Obverse of 1 oz gold American Double Eagle coin from 1910

American Double Eagles are historical, circulated 1 oz (technically 0.9675 troy ounce) gold coins minted in the US from 1850 to 1933.

• Purity: 21.6K (90% pure)

• Face Value: $20

• Obverse: Different versions of Lady Liberty encircled by stars

• Reverse: Different versions of eagle with inscriptions of denomination and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”

These coins have two versions, each with three varieties: Liberty Head / Coronet Type I, II, or III (1849-1907) and Saint-Gaudens Type I, II, or III (1907-1933).

The Saint-Gaudens varieties are far more valuable.

Additionally, the US Mint created an ultra high-relief version of Saint-Gaudens’s original design in 2009 with 24K gold and a mintage of around 20.

Gold Britannia

Pictured above: Obverse of 1 oz silver and 1 oz gold Britannia coins from 2023 | Image credit: The Royal Mint

Gold Britannia coins are British 1 oz gold bullion, proof, or uncirculated coins first introduced by the Royal Mint in 1987.

• Purity: 22K (91.7% pure) until 2012; 24K (99.99% pure) since 2013

• Face Value: £100 GBP

• Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II effigy, replaced by King Charles III effigy in 2023

• Reverse: Different designs of Britannia (female warrior personification of Britain) with inscriptions of “1 OZ” plus fineness (e.g. ‘999’ FINE GOLD) & “BRITANNIA”

• Other Weights: 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/2 oz, 5 oz

Besides being 24K, other changes in 2013 made them thinner and larger in diameter.

Chinese Gold Pandas

Pictured above: Obverse and reverse of 1 oz Chinese Gold Panda coin from 2016 | Image credit: Olga Kolmykova, CC-BY-SA-4.0

Chinese Gold Panda coins are gold bullion coins first released in 1982. These 1 oz gold panda coins have a brilliant finish.

• Purity: 24K (99.9% pure)

• Face Value: ¥100 yuan until 2000, ¥500 yuan since 2000

• Obverse: Temple of Heaven; Inscriptions of mintage year and "中华人民共和国" (Chinese for “People’s Republic of China”)

• Reverse: One or more giant pandas

• Other Weights: 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 5 oz, 12 oz

The reverse design for Chinese Gold Panda coins changes annually (with the exception of 2002).

In 2015, the coins started being measured in grams instead of troy ounces, with options from 1g to 30g.

Australian Gold Nugget Coin

Pictured above: Reverse of 1 oz Gold Australian Kangaroo Proof coin from 2011 in presentation case

Australian Nuggets are gold bullion coins first minted at Perth Mint in 1986. These Australian gold coins are now nicknamed “Australian Gold Kangaroos.”

• Purity: 24K (99.99% pure)

• Face Value: $100 AUD

• Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II effigy, replaced by King Charles III effigy in 2023

• Reverse: Different designs featuring Australian gold nuggets until 1989; Different designs featuring kangaroos from 1989 on

• Other Weights: 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 2 oz, 10 oz, 1 kg (21.15 oz)

Although most Australian coins come from the Royal Australian Mint (RAM), gold bullion coins like these come from Perth Mint because RAM doesn't refine gold. 

Although almost every 1 oz gold coin has a “face value,” their actual value is much higher.

Pictured above: Reverse of 2012 1 oz American Gold Buffalo proof coin with deep cameo contrast | Image credit: Bruxton, Public domain

Collectibility and Numismatic Value

Most 1 oz gold coins aren’t circulated because the value of their gold content is higher than their face value.

Even though all 1 oz gold coins have the same amount of pure gold, they carry different prices.

The value of a 1 oz gold coin is based on:

• Current Gold Spot Price: The market value (“spot price”) of gold fluctuates. Generally, higher inflation means higher gold prices and vice versa. You can check the current gold spot price here.

• Rarity: Gold coins that have lower mintages or aren’t minted anymore (e.g. 1849-1933 American Double Eagles) will have significantly higher value. Any 1 oz gold error coins may also have higher value.

• Historical Significance: Historical value can translate monetarily. What makes a coin historically significant can range from being the first of its kind (e.g. Krugerrand is the first modern bullion coin) to representing an important change (e.g. 1866 Liberty Heads bearing new US motto).

• Condition: Most 1 oz gold coins are uncirculated, but wear can still happen. Better preserved coins are more valuable.

• Current Demand: Greater popularity means higher prices. For example, a Canadian Maple Leaf, American Buffalo, or American Gold Eagle has consistently high demand, so expect higher premiums. But demand fluctuates, so having your coin graded by an expert can help determine its current value.

When buying a 1 oz gold coin, you’ll usually pay a premium around 5 percent over the current spot price.

Prices of 1 Oz Gold Coins

So, how much is a 1 oz gold coin worth? At minimum, the current gold spot price.

Here are current average prices (in USD) for the 1 oz gold coins we’ve discussed — with a current spot price of gold for 1 troy ounce worth about $2,030 USD:

• Krugerrand: $2,040 to $2,160 (most expensive sold over $300,000)

• American Gold Eagle: $2,005 to $2,130

• American Gold Buffalo: $2,110 to $2,170

• Liberty Gold Coin: $2,050 to $2,150

• Canadian Gold Maple Leaf: $2,095 to $2,110

• American Double Eagle: $2,000 to $2,900 (most expensive sold $18.9 million)

• Gold Britannia: $2,080 to $2,250 (most expensive sold $50,000)

• Chinese Gold Panda: $2,240 to $8,000

• Australian Gold Nugget: $2,060 to $3,200

Ready to start buying or selling 1 oz gold coins?

Pictured above: 2017 American Eagle Gold Proof 4-coin set containing 1 oz, 1/2 oz , 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz gold coins | Image credit: US Mint, Public domain

Purchasing and Selling Gold Coins

The best 1 oz gold coin to buy depends on your budget and goals.

Buying for an investment with a high budget? Look for a Krugerrand or American Double Eagle.

On a tighter budget or just starting a collection? Try finding a 1 oz Gold Britannia, Gold Eagle, or Liberty Gold coin.

Tips for buying and selling 1 oz gold coins:

1. Choose an expert dealer who is reputable & experienced. You can buy or sell gold coins at local coin stores, online sellers, or pawn shops. Check reviews, certifications, and accreditations beforehand.

2. Opt for certified gold. Assess your gold’s value before selling by getting it professionally graded. It’s best to buy/sell gold coins with a verified professional grade and certificate of authenticity.

3. Track gold spot prices. These change every day, so check day-of. 1 oz gold coins usually have lower premiums than under-an-ounce gold coins. Retail mark-ups vary by country.

4. Plan your transaction ahead of time. Learning what you want and preparing for your investment will pay off… literally.

5. Prepare insurance. Physical gold can be stolen, so budget and prepare to protect it. You can look for a specific gold bullion insurance policy and an authorized vault or depository for storage.

You’ll often find the best deals on auction sites with verified sellers like we have here at Coins Auctioned.

Make Your Collection Glimmer with 1 Oz Gold Coins Investments!

Gold remains one of the top investments, and 1 oz gold coins are a great way to invest in your future while building a meaningful collection of artifacts.

Want to buy 1 oz gold coins without leaving your home? We’ve got you covered with plenty of 1 oz gold coins for sale, all from verified sellers at competitive prices.

Buy collectible gold coins from our extensive array today!