Most collectors believe that there is no more beautiful coin than the gold one in uncirculated condition, so each one is highly collectible. Besides rich history, the fact that they are rare increases gold coin values. However, there are a few other things you need to consider before going trading.
Gold Coin Values
The US circulated gold coins
Although the possibility of using gold coins in everyday life is unthinkable nowadays, all these pieces were in regular circulation. After removing them from use in 1933, they became highly collectible and an excellent risk-free investment.
Even those in poor condition are worth money, thanks to the gold value. On the other hand, highly graded pieces are more expensive since they have both numismatic and gold values.
The US circulated gold coins by Coinflation |
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| Coin type | Year | Face value | Gold composition | Gold per coin | Gold value |
| Liberty head
gold dollar type 1 |
1849 to 1854 | $1 | 90% | 0.04838 troy ounces (1.5 g) | $90 |
| Small head Indian princess
gold dollar type 2 |
1854 to 1856 | $1 | 90% | 0.04838 troy ounces (1.5 g) | $90 |
| Large head Indian princess
gold dollar type 3 |
1856 to 1889 | $1 | 90% | 0.04838 troy ounces (1.5 g) | $90 |
| Liberty head quarter eagle | 1840 to 1907 | $2.5 | 90% | 0.12095 troy ounces (3.76 g) | $225 |
| Liberty head half eagle | 1839 to 1908 | $5 | 90% | 0.24187 troy ounces (7.5 g) | $450 |
| Liberty head eagle | 1838 to 1907 | $10 | 90% | 0.48375 troy ounces (15 g) | $900 |
| Liberty head double eagle | 1849 to 1907 | $20 | 90% | 0.96749 troy ounces (30 g) | $1,800 |
| Saint Gaudens double eagle | 1907 to 1933 | $20 | 90% | 0.96749 troy ounces (30 g) | $1,800 |
| Indian head quarter eagle | 1908 to 1929 | $2.5 | 90% | 0.12095 troy ounces (3.76 g) | $225 |
| Indian head half eagle | 1908 to 1929 | $5 | 90% | 0.24187 troy ounces (7.5 g) | $450 |
| Indian head eagle | 1907 to 1933 | $10 | 90% | 0.48375 troy ounces (15 g) | $900 |
Unbelievable American gold coins’ beauty makes these pieces some of the most valuable worldwide. The crucial thing is to check a few features if you have one since some details can make a difference between hundreds and thousands of dollars. Always look for:
- The specific date
- A mint mark
- The coin condition
- Rare and key dates
Only the proper evaluation can show you the actual value for each gold coin.
Foreign circulated gold coins
Besides US circulated gold coins, you can also trade with some foreign gold pieces. They usually have both gold and numismatic values, so you can count on an excellent price if you have some of them in your collection.
Foreign circulated gold coins by Coinflation |
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| Coin type | Year | Face value | Gold value |
| British Sovereign | 1817 to 2007 | £1 | $437.65 |
| French Angel Franc | 1871 to 1898 | 20 Francs | $346.4 |
| Swiss Helvetia Franc | 1897 to 1947 | 20 Francs | $346.4 |
| French Rooster Franc | 1901 to 1914 | 20 Francs | $346.4 |
The US Gold Coin Types
Liberty 2.5 dollar gold coin minted from 1840 to 1907 is worth at least $225, which is its gold value. However, you can expect to get $265 to $330 for highly graded pieces. Keep in mind that a few surviving goldens from 1885 are more expensive. For instance, the one in the mint state will cost you at least $4,283.
Thanks to the higher gold price, Liberty ten dollar gold coin value is significantly higher nowadays than several years ago. You can get at least $850 to $900 for a piece, but some are worth much more.
For instance, the price of a few coin dates in uncirculated condition can go over $1,000, including those minted in 1878, 1879 S, 1883 S, 1891 CC, 1893 O, 1894 O, 1895 S, and 1896 S. Some are even more expensive, like:
- 1881 CC, with a price up to $5,664
- 1882 O, with a price up to $6,563
- 1889, with a price up to $3,904
- 1890 CC, with a price up to $4,656
- 1892 CC, with a price up to $6,113
- 1894 S, with a price up to $4,341
The value of Liberty five dollar gold coin is approximately $410 to $450. Since this coin type is old, you can find several rare pieces worth a lot of money. For instance, you should pay approximately:
- $3,150 to $10,000 for 1877 CC gold coin
- $3,650 to $10,000 for 1878 CC gold coin
- $1,925 to $4,138 for 1879 CC gold coin
- $678 to $13,413 for 1880 CC gold coin
- $602 to $4,800 for 1883 CC gold coin
Most pieces in the mint state are rare and are worth a fortune.
US gold coin value by CoinStudy |
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| Type | Year | Very fine | Extra fine | AU | MS |
| Liberty head quarter eagle ($2.5) | 1840 to 1907 | $265 | $287 | $300 | $330 |
| Liberty head half eagle ($5) | 1839 to 1908 | $410 | $417 | $420 | $444 |
| Liberty head eagle ($10) | 1838 to 1907 | $833 | $837 | $842 | $865 |
| Indian head quarter eagle ($2.5) | 1908 to 1929 | $250 | $265 | $272 | $327 |
| Indian head half eagle ($5) | 1908 to 1929 | $410 | $417 | $420 | $444 |
| Indian head eagle ($10) | 1908 to 1933 | $850 | $860 | $870 | $885 |
| Liberty head double eagle ($20) | 1949 to 1907 | $1,685 | $1,688 | $1,695 | $1,738 |
| Saint Gaudens double eagle ($20) | 1907 to 1933 | $1,685 | $1,690 | $1,695 | $1,745 |
The minimal Indian 2.5 dollar gold coin‘s price is $225. Most common dates in worn condition are worth approximately $250, but you need to pay more than $300 for a piece in mint condition.
The 1911 coin is the rarest and most expensive in the series, regardless of condition. Therefore, you need to set aside at least $1,650 to $4,000 for one.
The lowest price you can get for an Indian five dollar gold coin is $410 to $450, but those in high grade are worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The most expensive is the 1909 O coin, with a price of over $6,000 in circulated condition.
If you are lucky to find this goldie in the mint state, you will need to pay almost $14,800 for it. The coin minted in 1929 is rare, and it is practically impossible finding one.
Indian ten dollar gold coin costs at least $850 to $900 for a common date. Most pieces in the mint stage are worth at least $100, but you can find a few rare dates with premium collector values, including:
- 1911 D that costs $1,034 to $4,925
- 1911 S that costs $948 to $4,186
- 1913 S that costs $1,034 to $3,978
- 1915 S that costs $1,034 to $5,253
The most valuable US gold coins |
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| Coin type | Year | Grade | Value |
| Saint-Gaudens $20 gold double eagle | 1933 | Gem BU | $18,872,250 |
| Saint-Gaudens gold double eagle proof (ultra-high relief lettered edge) | 1907 | PCGS PR 69 | $2,990,000 |
| Draped bust $10 gold eagle (13 leaves) | 1795 | PCGS MS 66+ | $2,585,000 |
| $4 Stella coiled hair proof | 1880 | NGC PR 66 Cameo | $2,570,000 |
| Capped bust $2.50 gold quarter eagle | 1808 | PCGS MS 65 | $2,350,000 |
| Satin Indian $10 gold eagle proof (rolled edge) | 1907 | NGC PR 67 | $2,185,000 |
| Saint-Gaudens $20 gold double eagle | 1927 D | NGC MS 66 | $1,997,500 |
| Draped bust $2.50 gold quarter eagle (without stars) | 1796 | PCGS MS 65 | $1,725,000 |
| Indian $10 gold eagle | 1920 | PCGS MS 67 | $1,725,000 |
| Liberty head $20 gold double eagle (Paquet reverse) | 1861 | PCGS MS 61 | $1,645,000 |
| Liberty head $10 gold eagle proof (large letters) | 1839/8 | NGC PR 67 ultra cameo | $1,610,000 |
| Roman Saint-Gaudens $20 gold double eagle proof | 1921 | PCGS MS 63 | $1,495,000 |
| Liberty head $20 gold double eagle | 1856 O | PCGS SP 63 | $1,437,500 |
| Capped bust $5 gold half eagle proof (large date) | 1829 | PCGS PR 64 | $1,380,000 |
| Capped bust $5 gold half eagle proof (large date) | 1833 | PCGS PR 67 | $1,351,250 |
Thanks to the gold it contains, each Liberty twelve dollar gold coin costs at least $1,700 to $1,800 each. However, some pieces are much more valuable, including the 1891 CC one.
The Carson City mint produced only 5,000 of these gold coins this year, and not many of them have survived until today. That makes this goldie highly valuable, and you need to pay $5,600 to $18,747 for a piece, depending on its condition. Those in the mint state are considered scarce.
Besides this rarity, you can find a few others that will cost you $2,000 to over $8,000 each in circulated condition. However, those coins in the mint state are costly:
- 1877 CC can reach $56,000
- 1892 can reach $18,503
- 1892 CC can reach $8,080
1878 CC is extremely rare in the MS, so the most expensive are those in AU state with a price of $9,840.
Saint Gaudens twenty dollar gold coin is named after its designer, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Most collectors consider it is the most attractive of US coins ever minted.
The gold value this coin contains is $900 at the current market, but you can’t find any even in the low condition for less than $1,685. A few rare dates are costly in the mint stage, including:
- 1908 S, worth $9,010
- 1924 S, worth $4,403
- 1925 D, worth $5,395
- 1925 S, worth $7,344
- 1926 D, worth $11,234
- 1926 S, worth $4,136
A few dates are considered scarce, like 1920 S, 1921, 1927 S, 1927 D, 1929, 1930 S, 1931, 1931 D, and 1932, so they cost a fortune.
Summary
You can quickly calculate the gold coin value by multiplying its gold content by the current gold price on the market. Many people consider these coins an excellent investment, but it is true only for collectibles. Since the gap between buying and selling gold prices can be 10 to 15%, it is questionable if it is a good idea.
