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Below are all the questions you might have about U.S. Mint gold coins.
Enjoy and LMK in the comments if you want to know more.
- What Types of Gold Coins Does U.S. Mint Produce?
- Why Does the US Mint Gold Coins?
- Where are U.S. Mint’s Gold Coins Minted?
- When Did the US Mint Stop Making Gold Coins? Are They Still Minted in the US?
- Is it Possible to Buy Gold Coins Directly from the U.S. Mint? How? Do You Need a Broker?
- Can You Sell Gold Coins Back to the US Mint?
- What are Some US Gold Coins Minted Prior to 1933?
Table of Contents
What Types of Gold Coins Does U.S. Mint Produce?
The U.S. Mint produces two types of gold coins, bullion coins and commemorative coins.
Gold bullion coins are investment-grade coins made of pure gold (fine gold). These coin’s value is based on their metal content and weight, and not their rarity or historical significance.
Gold bullion coins are purchased as a tangible way to invest in precious metals and are often minted by governments to a specific weight and fineness, making them a liquid asset.
Note: U.S. Mint also produces bullion coins made out of three other main precious metals (silver, platinum and palladium).
U.S. Mint also produces gold commemorative coins. These are special coins minted to honor a specific event, person, or theme, such as an anniversary, a historical figure, or a cultural milestone.
Gold commemorative coins often have a distinct design related to the occasion and are produced in limited quantities, making them valuable for collectors.
Commemorative coins nearly always have higher value that the vale of precious metals they contain.
Why Does the US Mint Gold Coins?
The U.S. Mint produces gold coins for the profit they make of it.
All coins produced t the U.S. Mint have production cost and face value. This amount is different from the price each coins gets on the market when bought.
That difference makes up the profit of U.S. Mint from these coins.
Btw, this process is called “seigniorage”.
According to Wikipedia:
“Seigniorage is the increase in the value of money due to money creation minus the cost of producing the additional money. Monetary seigniorage is where government bonds are exchanged for newly created money by a central bank, allowing debt monetization (“borrowing” without repaying).”
Where are U.S. Mint’s Gold Coins Minted?
U.S. Mint’s gold coins are primarily minted at the West Point Mint in New York.
West Point Mint produces the popular American Eagle and American Buffalo bullion coins and also a variety of proof coins and commemorative coins.
Other U.S. Mint facilities at different locations produce different types of coinage. For example, Philadelphia Mint and Denver Mint are major producers of circulating coins that you encounter in your day-to-day life.
When Did the US Mint Stop Making Gold Coins? Are They Still Minted in the US?
The US Mint stopped making gold coins for circulation in 1933. This happened after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order that made private ownership of gold coins illegal as a measure to stabilize the U.S. currency during the Great Depression.
While the Mint still produces gold bullion and collectible coins, they are not for use as legal tender currency.
Is it Possible to Buy Gold Coins Directly from the U.S. Mint? How? Do You Need a Broker?
No, it’s not possible to buy gold coins directly from the U.S. Mint.
The U.S. Mint sells its bullion coins through a network of authorized purchasers (online precious metal dealers) who then sell to the public.
This means you must buy gold coins from an authorized precious metal dealer so you don’t get scammed out of your money. And you don’t need a broker to get your hands on your desired gold coins.
I recommend you contact Augusta Precious Metals if you’re looking to invest into gold bullion coins and you don’t want to get scammed.
Augusta Precious Metals is the best and safest US gold investment company and working with them is safe, fast and easy given that you’ll get help along the way and every information you need.
Augusta also stocks plenty of gold bullion coins you can choose to own.
Alternatively, you can go with a service like US Gold and Coin. They specialize in evaluating these pieces based on their numismatic worth rather than just their melt value.
Finally, Augusta Precious Metals is also a gold IRA provider.
This means you’ll be able to open a new gold IRA account with them without any hassle whatsoever.
And you also won’t have to worry about gold IRA scams given that Augusta is a proven company with hundred of satisfied customers served over the years.
Can You Sell Gold Coins Back to the US Mint?
No, you can’t sell back your gold coins back to the U.S. Mint.
The U.S. Mint is a coin manufacturer and they don’t buy back precious metal coins from the public.
The only exception to this rule was a Mutilated Coin Redemption program, but that initiative is now discontinued.
Note: the Mutilated Coin Redemption Program was a program of the United States Mint that allowed individuals and businesses to exchange damaged and bent coins for their face value.
The program started all the way back in 1911, but was suspended in 2015 due to concerns over counterfeits and security.
The program was briefly reinstated in 2018 but was then officially ended in 2024 due to similar issues of security, increased volume, and the cost of authentication.
What are Some US Gold Coins Minted Prior to 1933?
Some United States gold coins minted before 1933 include the Saint-Gaudens and Liberty Double Eagles ($20), Indian and Liberty Eagles ($10), Indian and Liberty Half Eagles ($5), and Indian and Liberty Quarter Eagles ($2.50). Other denominations include the Gold Dollar and the $3 Gold Piece.
Note: it used to be illegal to own gold bullion coins without a license. This ban lasted from from 1933 to 1974. But, on December 31, 197 restrictions were fully lifted allowing individuals to freely buy, own, and possess gold.
The only exception is the 1933 Double Eagle which was minted but never officially released, and all the samples were supposed to be melted down (note: 445,500 specimens of this Saint-Gaudens double eagle were minted in 1933, smack in the middle of the Great Depression).
Any other pre-1933 gold coins can be legally owned by collectors and investors.
U.S. Mint Gold Coins- Everything You Need to Know! Conclusion
The U.S. Mint produces two types of gold coins: bullion coins for investment and commemorative coins honoring special events or individuals.
Gold bullion coins are made of pure gold, valued by metal content, while commemorative coins have limited production and collector value.
The Mint profits through seigniorage—the difference between production costs and market price. Gold coins are primarily minted at West Point, New York.
The Mint stopped producing gold coins for circulation in 1933. Consumers cannot buy directly from the U.S. Mint; purchases must go through authorized dealers. The Mint also doesn’t buy back coins from the public.
References:
- American Buffalo (coin)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Buffalo_(coin)
- American Gold Eagle- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gold_Eagle
- American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin- https://www.usmint.gov/american-liberty-2025-high-relief-gold-coin-25DA.html
- United States commemorative coins- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_commemorative_coins
- Seigniorage- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seigniorage
- Time, expense lead U.S. Mint to stop coin redemptions- https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/time-expense-lead-u-s-mint-to-stop-coin-redemptions
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
