Gold and Silver Coins Today

From 1933 up until 1972 gold and silver coins were used as currency in the United States of America. What happened to gold and silver coins after their death as currency (A.C.)? The U.S. Mint continues to produce gold and silver coins for two reasons: the numismatic market (collector’s coins) and bullion coins (for investment).

Numisatic coins are coins made of gold and silver that carry collector value in addition to their value in gold and silver. An example would be twenty-dollar American Eagle Coins with the St. Gauden’s Liberty design. These coins are produced specifically for the collector’s market on a regular basis. Special edition gold and silver coinage for collectors include American Eagle coins, American Buffalo coins, as well as a variety of commemorative coins celebrating historic North American figures and events. The majority of these coins have limited production runs, which boosts their collector value.

Bullion coins are made from precious metal and kept as a store of value or investment rather than used as currency. Examples of bullion coins include Kruggerands, the American Eagle Series and the Canadian Maple Leaf series.