Simon Bolivar is often called the ‘George Washington of South America.’ Leading the War of Independence from Spanish rule for Columbia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, Bolivar became the president of a confederation of these nations called 'Gran Colombia' and served in that role from 1819 until 1830. Bolivar was descended from an aristocratic Spanish family, and drew inspiration from Thomas Jefferson, Voltaire and Adam Smith among other writers and philosophers. He believed, however, that the newly-freed nations of South America would fail as a U.S.-style republic.
Gold has played a significant role in South African history since the yellow metal was first discovered in the Transvaal back in 1873. The two Boer Wars in the late 19th century -- between Dutch (Afrikaners) and British settlers -- were essentially territorial struggles over South African gold fields. Paul Kruger, whose portrait graces the Krugerrand bullion gold coins, led the Afrikaners and became the first president of the new South African republic.
The Saint-Gaudens is famous for its beautiful design. It was in 1904 that President Theodore Roosevelt decided to revolutionize U.S. coinage, and chose sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign each and every denomination. In the end, however, the famed artist designed only two: the $10 and $20 gold pieces. A high relief version of the $20 coin was minted in 1907, but the design was too difficult to strike and had to be modified. Similar to the $10 Indian Eagle, the motto “In God We Trust” was nowhere to be found on the Double Eagle of 1907.
When people think about a gold coin, this is the one that comes to mind. It’s a big, heavy coin that once was heard clanging on store counters and at saloons. The sound of a gold coin is unforgettable; nothing else sounds like it. Designed by James B. Longacre, the Double Eagle is a beautiful coin. The obverse is a left-facing Lady Liberty wearing a jeweled crown, her golden hair gently flowing down her neck. Framing her are the 13 stars that represent the beginning of our great nation. The reverse has a stylized bald eagle facing left with its wings pointed out as if in flight.
Designed by the famous sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the $10 “Indian” stirred up quite a bit of controversy. The image of Lady Liberty wearing an Indian war bonnet was shocking to the American public in 1907. In addition, the omission of the motto “In God We Trust” by President Theodore Roosevelt was upsetting to many people. Public outcry helped add the motto to the coin the following year (1908), and the citizenry came to accept and later appreciate the “Indian” design.
The obverse presents the crowned Lady Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht, as well as 13 stars representing the 13 colonies that broke free from the oppressive yoke of Great Britain. The reverse features the bald eagle with a shield on its breast, clasping three arrows in its left talon and an olive branch in its right.
The sunken (incuse) designs and lettering make this (along with the $2.50 Quarter Eagle Indian) series unique in U.S. coinage. This unusual design, however, was not popular with the general public. The recessed design of the coin was believed to be a breeding ground for bacteria. Thus the coin was well circulated and gem examples are quite difficult to find. Bela Lyon Pratt designed this coin which features an Indian in profile wearing a ceremonial headdress on the obverse. An eagle perched on a bundle of arrows and an olive branch decorate the reverse.
This coin is unique among American coins: it is the only one to be struck at all seven of the U.S. Mints. The obverse presents the crowned Lady Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht, as well as 13 stars representing the 13 colonies that broke free from the oppressive yoke of Great Britain. The reverse features the bald eagle with a shield on its breast, clasping three arrows in its left talon and an olive branch in its right.
The sunken (incuse) designs and lettering make this (along with the $5.00 Half Eagle Indian) series unique in U.S. coinage. This unusual design, however, was not popular with the general public. The recessed design of the coin was believed to be a breeding ground for bacteria. Thus the coin was well circulated and gem examples are quite difficult to find. Bela Lyon Pratt designed this coin which features an Indian in profile wearing a ceremonial headdress on the obverse. An eagle perched on a bundle of arrows and an olive branch decorate the reverse.
The obverse presents the crowned Lady Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht, as well as 13 stars representing the 13 colonies that broke free from the oppressive yoke of Great Britain. The reverse features the bald eagle with a shield on its breast, clasping three arrows in its left talon and an olive branch in its right.
These coins are produced in four denominations with the following platinum content per coin: one oz., one-half oz., one-quarter oz., and one-tenth oz. The obverse motif is an almost lifelike rendering of the head and pointed crown of the Statue of Liberty designed by John Mercanti. Thomas D. Rogers, Sr. crafted the reverse: an eagle gliding in the sky with the morning sun rising in the background. When the coin debuted in 1997, the regular strike and proof versions both had the same reverse design.
1997-present
1 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/10 oz. (depending upon coin chosen)
This dramatic coin was the first .9999 fine (24-karat) gold coin produced by the U.S. Mint. The nostalgic Old West theme of an American Indian on the obverse and the majestic bison (buffalo) on the reverse are featured on this 1-oz.coin. Adapted from the popular Buffalo nickel (1913-1938) design crafted by James Earle Fraser, this pure gold coin is available in both regular strike and proof.
The gold American Eagle bullion coins are minted in four sizes and denominations that contain net weights of one oz., one-half oz., one-quarter oz., and one-tenth oz. of gold. The obverse design is an adaptation of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Liberty that appeared on the $20 gold piece (Double Eagle). A “family of eagles” is the reverse motif, designed by Miley Busiek. All gold American Eagle bullion coins are available in both regular strike and proof.
1986-present
1 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/10 oz. (depending upon coin chosen)
The Silver Eagle is a net weight 1-oz. bullion coin with a face value of $1. The obverse features the beautiful design of Adolph A. Weinman that appeared on the obverse of the Walking Liberty half dollar from 1916 until 1947. The reverse design is a modern version of the heraldic eagle -- which first graced our coinage in 1798 -- by engraver John Mercanti. The Silver Eagle is available in regular strike and proof.
The Maple Leaf made its first appearance in 1979 -- when the only other gold bullion coin in the world was the South African Krugerrand. Originally minted at .999 purity, since 1982 the fineness has been a solid gold .9999. Each coin bears the .9999 stamp as well as the date, the weight and the face value. The solid gold Maple Leaf is a legal tender coin. Thus it is allowed to be used as currency and to settle debts. The economic meltdown of 2008 gave a boost to the sale of Maple Leafs: from 278,600 ounces in 2007 it shot up to 896,000 in 2008.
The Australian Kangaroo employs a different design each year. But every year it is a unique presentation of that nation's famous marsupial. The obverse features Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. The Kangaroo made its debut in 1989 and it is quite popular with investors. The mintage is generally low when compared with other bullion coins; this feature increases its appeal to collectors and investors alike.
Wilhelmina became queen at a young age after the Dutch parliament passed a law allowing a woman to become the monarch. Despite her youth, she showed an uncanny ability to stand up for herself when confronted with a formidable opponent. During a meeting with Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany before the onset of World War I, he boasted to Wilhelmina that "my guards are seven feet tall and yours are only shoulder high to them." Her polite response was, "Quite true, Your Majesty, your guards are seven feet tall, but when we open our dikes, the water is ten feet deep!"
Helvetia, the female national personification of Switzerland, is usually presented in a flowing gown holding a spear and a shield decorated with the Swiss cross. Her hair braided, Helvetia’s wreath is a symbol of the Swiss confederation. The name is derived from the ethnic Helvetii, the Gaulish tribe that lived on the Swiss plateau in the time before the Roman conquest. Helvetia appears in patriotic and political art in the context of Swiss national identity and historical development after the collapse of the Napoleonic Helvetic Republic.
The Gallic rooster (le coq gaulois) is the symbol of France, as a nation and its history, land and culture. The French connection with this bird is derived from a play on words in Latin: Gallus means an inhabitant of Gaul (France) and gallus means rooster or cockerel. Its use dates back to the Medieval period, but gained mass popularity during the French Revolution (1789-94). The rooster has been the national emblem of France ever since that time.
The motif of this coin is taken from the French Revolution. The Angel on the obverse is the guardian angel Genius writing the French Constitution on a stone tablet. The tablet is sitting upon a column and a rooster is nearby. The rooster is the symbol of France as a nation and its history, its land and culture. Above the angel is found the words, “REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE.”
The Philharmonic is the top selling gold coin in Europe. This pure gold coin (.9999 fine) is also popular around the globe: it was the top-selling gold coin in the world in 1992, 1995 and 1996. At the height of the world-wide economic crisis in 2008, more 1-oz. Philharmonics were sold than U.S. Eagles or South African Krugerrands.
It was during the rule of Tudor King Henry VII that the first British Sovereign was struck. The “Sovereign” got its name from that first mintage in 1489 which depicts Henry VII seated majestically on his throne facing outward. The current motif with St. George slaying the dragon on the reverse and the monarch on the obverse was introduced in 1816 during the reign of George III. Sovereigns have been minted almost continuously from that date until 1932, when Great Britain went off the gold standard. Minting was resumed, however, in 1957 as a bullion coin with Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.
This 20 Mark gold coin is very popular with investors. Those Germans who put these coins away before the disastrous inflation of the 1920s were able to preserve their family’s wealth. At the height of the hyper-inflation in 1923, a family’s life savings could not even buy a bratwurst. A purse filled with Wilhelm I 20 Mark gold coins held onto its value, a valuable lesson for the investor of 2010.
Austrian emperor Franz Joseph, who appears in profile on the obverse of this visually stunning gold coin, has been called “the last great monarch of Europe.” He actually called himself the “last monarch of the old school.” Indeed, when he died in 1916, the First World War was raging and the nearly 700-year reign of the Hapsburg dynasty -- along with the Austro-Hungarian empire -- was about to crumble into dust.
The year 1910 saw Mexico celebrate the centennial of the beginning of its War of Independence against Spanish rule. A huge column was erected in the middle of Mexico City with the statue “El Angel de la Independencia” atop it to commemorate the centennial celebration. The statue was crafted of bronze and gold and represents “Winged Victory,” a Greek symbol for the goddess Nike (Victory). The laurel crown in her right hand symbolizes Victory, while the broken chain in her left is a symbol of Freedom.
(5 Peso) 1905 to 1920, 1955 (50 Peso) 1921-31, 1944-47
