Proof gold Coin, face value Vs. weight & purity, which is more important?

Question

I want to buy a gold coin, but I am confused over, whether it's the face value printed on the coin is more important in determining the selling price, or the weight and purity of gold are more important in determining the selling price?... Given all other condition same, e.g. mintage. I wanna buy something which is really worth the intrinsic value.

I'm a newbie in gold coin collection, I don't even have 1 yet, but currently looking at some coins to buy, which are those issued by government mint yearly to mark the new year.

So now I'm assessing the value of gold coin, not sure which one to buy.

Answer 1

Older proof gold coins would be out of most peoples reach and are not always available even if one does have the cash. With the price of gold these days most modern gold coin denominations are just there to make it so-called legal tender. No one would spend a $5 gold coin as five dollars. Proof gold coins are a collector item or at least they want you to think that. They cost far more than the gold in them is worth. One takes a chance in buying one hoping the mintage stays low and people will keep collecting them. To me it is an unwise investment. Forget the proof thing and buy an older coin in the highest grade you can afford and make sure it is one of the semi key coins. That is it does not have the lowest mintage but is lower than most of the common types. See a couple of coin dealers for their opinion. If they try to sell you modern gold bullion see someone else. Modern gold coins are more for IRAs and the such and don't seem to have a high collector base only an investor base. I would like to have a coin that has both bases and that is the real thing that was once really money. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

With modern gold coins, face value is almost meaningless. The bullion value will surely be worth more than the face value. I'd look into investing in some of the older coins (rather than new mintings). These should retain value, and even gain value in the future.

Edit: just re-read your question - you're looking at proof coins... so an older coin may be quite expensive. For modern coins, you should look at the mintage numbers. Those with lower mintings will probably cost more (and be worth more in the future). This value, of course, is not intrinsic. If you're looking for purely intrinsic value, the gold bullion is the way to go. Coins give you artistic value as well as collector value (which means you do have to consider the mintage numbers).

Answer 3

The previous person who answered this question is correct, but not very clear. To clarify, your 1964 and earlier coins are actual real coins with a monetary value. They can be (and have been) used as spending money. Your Canadian Maple Leaf coins have a dollar denomination printed on them, but that is just for show, really. They cannot (nor have they ever been able to) be used as currency. Therefore, they are technically not coins. They are bullion (a pure precious metal in any form - round (coin-looking), square (ingot), etc,).