Gold coins: specs, value and where to buy
Each guide below covers one gold coin: its official weight and purity, live melt value, real dealer prices and tax rules in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. New to coins? Start with the beginner comparison. In October 2026, 1 oz coins cost from about 2.8% over the gold price.
A gold coin is worth at least the gold inside it, so the first job is knowing how much gold that is. These guides give you the figures from the mints themselves, then show what dealers charged on the day we checked.
Where should a beginner start?
Read best gold coins for beginners to compare the main coins side by side, and how to buy gold for the whole process. To work out what a coin should cost, see what the gold spot price is.
Which modern bullion coins do we cover?
| Coin | What it is |
|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle | The US Mint's 22 carat coin, issued since 1986 and allowed in US gold IRAs. |
| 1/2 oz Gold Eagle | The half-ounce Eagle, a $25 coin, for buyers who want to sell in smaller pieces. |
| 1/4 oz Gold Eagle | The quarter-ounce Eagle, a $10 coin, with a higher premium than the full ounce. |
| 1/10 oz Gold Eagle | The smallest Eagle, a $5 coin, and the most expensive per ounce of gold. |
| Gold Sovereign | The Royal Mint's small British coin, about a quarter ounce of gold and free of UK Capital Gains Tax. |
| Canadian Gold Bison | A Royal Canadian Mint coin showing the North American bison, as a 1/4 oz bullion coin and a rare 1 oz release. |
| Perth Mint Lunar | An Australian 99.99% coin that changes its zodiac animal every year. |
| Royal Mint Lunar | The Royal Mint's zodiac coin, sold mostly as limited-edition proofs and free of UK CGT. |
| Queen's Beasts | A Royal Mint series of heraldic beasts issued from 2016 to 2021, in 1 oz and 1/4 oz sizes. |
| Tudor Beasts | The Royal Mint's follow-on series based on the beasts at Hampton Court Palace. |
Which older and historical gold coins do we cover?
These coins are no longer made as everyday money, or are restruck by mints. Most trade close to their gold value, so they can be cheaper to buy than new coins.
| Coin | What it is |
|---|---|
| $20 Double Eagle | The large US gold coin struck from 1849 to 1933, holding 0.9675 oz of gold. |
| Indian Head gold coins | The US $2.50, $5 and $10 coins struck between 1907 and 1933, all 90% gold. |
| French 20 franc Rooster | A small French coin of 0.1867 oz of gold, struck from 1899 to 1914. |
| Swiss 20 franc Vreneli | A small Swiss coin with the same gold content as the French 20 franc, struck from 1897 to 1949. |
| Austrian 4 Ducat and 100 Corona | Austrian Mint restrikes of 1915 coins, held at close to their gold value. |
How does coin size change the price?
Smaller coins cost more per ounce. In the GoldVetted price check of 10 to 11 October 2026, a single 1 oz American Gold Eagle cost 3.3% to 5.5% over spot by wire, a 1/4 oz cost 10.3% to 13.6%, and a 1/10 oz cost 17.3% to 21.5%. Live figures are in the premium tracker.
Does tax depend on which coin I buy?
Yes. In the UK, Sovereigns and Britannias are exempt from Capital Gains Tax. In Canada and Australia, only coins of 99.5% purity or more are free of sales tax. In the US, gold coins are generally taxed as collectibles. Each coin guide has a tax table for the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
Once you own coins, see how to sell gold coins. Not sure what a term means? Check the learn section.
Frequently asked questions
What is a gold bullion coin?
A bullion coin is a coin sold mainly for the value of the gold in it, not for rarity. Mints such as the US Mint, the Royal Mint and the Royal Canadian Mint stamp the weight and purity on the coin, which makes it easy to value and resell. Prices follow the gold spot price plus a premium.
Which gold coin is best for a first purchase?
A 1 oz coin from a national mint is the usual starting point, because it is recognised by dealers and has a lower premium per ounce than smaller sizes. Which one suits you depends on your country and its tax rules. Our beginner comparison sets out the trade-offs.
What is the difference between 22 carat and 24 carat gold coins?
A 22 carat coin is 91.67% gold with copper added to make it harder wearing, like the Sovereign and American Gold Eagle. A 24 carat coin is almost pure, at 99.9% or more, like the Britannia. Purity matters for tax in Canada and Australia, where only 99.5% gold is exempt from sales tax.
How do I find out what my gold coin is worth?
Multiply the pure gold content in troy ounces by the live gold spot price. Each coin guide on this site shows a live melt value. A dealer will usually pay a little below that when buying from you, and charge a premium above it when selling.
Why do small gold coins cost more per ounce?
Minting, packaging and dealer handling costs are similar for any size, so they are spread over less gold in a small coin. In our October 2026 check, 1/10 oz American Gold Eagles cost 17.3% to 21.5% over their gold value, against 3.3% to 5.5% for the 1 oz coin.
Are gold coins taxed differently from gold bars?
In some countries, yes. In the UK, Sovereigns and Britannias are exempt from Capital Gains Tax as sterling currency, while most bars are not. In the US, both are taxed as collectibles. In Canada and Australia, purity decides sales tax. Check the tax section of each coin guide.
Sources
We checked these primary and official sources when writing and fact-checking this page.
Not financial advice. GoldVetted provides general information to help you compare options. It is not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Gold prices go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay. Check tax rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.