Gold and Silver Bullion Mints

Government Gold and Silver Mints

Government mints have been in existence since the 7th century B.C—almost as long as the concept of government itself. The Royal Mint, opened over 1,100 years ago in Britain, and la Casa de Moneda de México, the Mexican Mint established in 1535, are some of the longest working government mints in the world.

Also known as “sovereign” mints, government mints are facilities created by a nation’s government to design and produce that nation’s currency. This national legal tender must meet stringent standards for weight, purity, and metal content as the government is responsible for them and guarantees their face value. Cupronickel, an alloy of nickel, zinc, and copper, is typically used for coins meant for circulation.

Government mints can also produce coins that are not meant to be used as legal tender. These coins are called rounds, or bullion, and typically have no face value. They are sold based on the weight and purity of the gold or silver metals used to create them as well as the spot price of the moment. The rarity of their design may also be a factor in valuation.

In addition to these bullion coins, government mints also produce gold and silver bars, rounds, and collectible coins and coin sets. They sell them as collectors’ items and investment pieces. When governments sell currency for a profit, this is called seigniorage.

Some of the most famous mints in the world are:

• The U.S. Mint (actually several mints, although not all of them physically produce currency)
• The Royal Canadian Mint (a leader in anti-counterfeiting measures)
• The Monnaie de Paris (the French Mint which also includes an innovative, hands-on museum)
• The New Zealand Mint (one of the first to embrace the .9999 standard for gold purity and that currently holds licenses for Disney, Warner Bros, BBC, and Hasbro properties, including Harry Potter, Star Trek, and Magic the Gathering)
• The Central Mint of the People’s Bank of China (creators of the Gold Panda series of coins)

Private Gold and Silver Mints

While private mints may not have the history behind them that government institutions do, private mints produce most of the world’s bullion bars and rounds.

They can range in size from home hobbyists with a small foundry to larger, worldwide organizations. Although some private mints may work with sovereign governments to produce bullion and gold or silver coins, they do not generate coins meant for circulation as currency.

In addition to gold rounds (coins without a face-value), private mints can also produce gold bars, silver bars, silver and gold rounds, or even platinum rounds and bars. These smaller, private mints may be more cost-effective for investors, although buying from an unknown mint does come with certain risks.

When investing in gold or silver, ensure that you research the private mint or collector from which you intend to make the purchase. Check them out online and contact your State Attorney General and local consumer protection agency to see if any complaints have been filed against them. Ensure that you know the spot price of silver and gold for the day and be wary of any offers that have highly inflated premiums (the markup between the spot price of the metal typically meant to cover printing costs). Your most significant defense is being an educated buyer.

Some of the most well-known private mints are Sunshine Minting, Johnson Matthey, PAMP Suisse, Highland Mint and the Franklin Mint.

Best Silver Mints

Whether you purchase from a government mint or a private mint, silver is a solid investment. It has value beyond its use as a currency. Silver will always be a necessary commodity as it is used heavily in the industrial, technological, and medical fields, in addition to its long-standing popularity in jewelry.

Available in bullion, bars, coins (numismatic and otherwise), medallions, and rounds, silver is typically sold by weight in .999 fine silver. You can purchase it by the troy ounce, pound, gram, or kilo.

Money Metals Exchange works with the best-known and most-recognized mints in the industry:

• United States Mint
• Austrian Mint
• Johnson Matthey
• New Zealand Mint
• British Royal Mint
• Perth Mint
• Royal Canadian Mint
• Royal Mint
• Mexican Mint
• Highland Mint

1 Oz Silver Canadian Maple Leaf

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1 oz Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

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1 oz Australian Silver Kangaroo

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Best Gold Mints

Ancient Greeks viewed gold as the ultimate status symbol. Since the beginning of recorded history, gold has been the goal, the quest, the prize. Jason and the Argonauts quested for the golden fleece. Prospectors settled the American west in pursuit of it. Recognized as currency as early as 643 B.C., gold has made the world economy possible.

It’s no surprise, then, that gold is the most popular investment metal. Investors value it for its insurance against inflation or financial turmoil. The value of gold has maintained a positive trend since the early 2000s.

We measure the purity of gold in carats, with 24 carats being the purest. It is sold by the ounce based on the gold “spot price,” or the quote for immediate settlement at any given time on the market.

Investors can purchase gold in bullion coins, rounds, and bars. Bars may range from a single gram to 100 ounces each, while rounds and coins can be bought in one ounce and fractional sizes.

Money Metals works with only the best mints, whether sovereign or private. You can learn about some of them here. We offer gold bullion from around the world, including the South African Krugerrand, the Austrian Philharmonic, the Canadian Maple Leaf, and the Chinese Gold Panda.

Conclusion

To invest in precious metals, whether gold, silver, platinum, or palladium, both government and private mints offer high-quality options with an excellent variety for both collectors and investors.

When looking for a reliable, timeless investment to protect your wealth, Money Metals offers you the largest selection on the market at fair prices. Contact one of our investment experts for your very own private consultation live from our website. Alternatively, call the exchange at 1 (800) 800-1865. We also offer secure storage solutions at affordable yearly rates.