Common U.S. Gold Coins (Pre-1933)

Another way to invest in gold is to buy United States gold coins that were minted in 1933 or before. Up until 1933, gold coins circulated freely in the U.S. economy until President Franklin D. Roosevelt recalled all gold coins except those with numismatic value.

Fortunately, many people did not turn in their gold coins and they are available today to collectors for not much more money than their gold content.

For example, an 1879 $20 Liberty gold coin minted in Philadelphia has 0.9675 Troy ounces of pure gold or AGW. If gold is $1,800 per troy ounce than there is $1,741.50 worth of pure gold and it.

As of this writing, an average circulated example is currently selling for approximately $1,865. This is a premium of $123.50 (or approximately 6.6%) over the spot price of gold. You can buy common U.S. gold coins that have a face value of $1, $2.50, $3.00, $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00.