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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,388 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2003 Posts |
I am a bit confused when looking at the weight of a 1 oz silver eagle at 31.105 grams and a $50 gold Eagle where 1 oz equals 33.931 grams. Can somebody please explain this to me? I am used to collecting mainly silver coins and I always thought that 1 ounce was 31.1 grams. Why would the gold not follow the same standard?
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
735 Posts |
I believe it is because it is 1 oz of Gold & has a mixed composition "91.67% gold, 3% silver, copper" and the actual weight of the coin is 1.0909 troy ounces but the gold weight is 1 oz. Compared to the Silver eagles which are .999 pure and have very little excess copper making the weight exactly one ounce.
I've been collecting for a couple years... Favorite Coin's are Standing Liberty quarters, Working on my type set | Coffee, Corvettes, Coins & the CCF what could be better? Edited by Jakes Coins
02/28/2022 7:41 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5178 Posts |
The gold eagle contains 1 oz. of pure gold. But since pure gold is rather soft, the US mint decided to add a little bit of silver and copper to it. The total weight therefore is 33.931 grams (1.0909 oz).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2221 Posts |
As others said, Gold Eagles are not 100% gold, they are .9167 pure. They have some copper and maybe other trace metals to make the metal harder, reminiscent of the past when gold circulated. The $50 is 1 oz gold but the added weight is the other metals. The USA buffalo gold coin is 100% gold, as is the Canada Maple Leaf and others.
Edited by livingwater
02/28/2022 7:46 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2003 Posts |
OK, I think I understand. So the ASW of the silver eagle is still 31.1 grams and the AGW of the gold eagle is really 31.1 grams with the additional 2.862 grams being alloy?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2221 Posts |
Yes, silver eagles are 100% silver.
Edited by livingwater
02/28/2022 8:09 pm
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Valued Member
United States
312 Posts |
Of the most popular gold coins only the AGE and Krugerrands are 22kt or 31.1 grams gold + alloy for total weight around 33.93 grams.
The rest are 24kt or about 31.1 grams total weight, like Buffalos, Mapleleafs, Britannias, Pandas and Kangaroos.
One of the nice advantages of the 22kt coins is that their ping is so strong it is almost painful to the ear. Easy to confirm authenticity. Mapleleafs on the other hand have a very subdued ping.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
665 Posts |
Quote:
only the AGE and Krugerrands are 22kt For this reason AGE and Krugerrands are less popular as a bullion device in Canada. In order for gold to be "investment grade" and have a tax free status, the coin needs to be 99.5% or better; same for Platinum and Silver has a higher bar at 99.9% or better. UK Sovereigns are also 22kt. There is no way to retain value if you have to send 5-13% to the government on each transaction. |
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Valued Member
United States
266 Posts |
I think it is interesting that you can actually see the alloy differences in the color of the coins. A gold Britannia has a bright yellow color (pure gold), an American eagle is a more brownish color (91.67% gold, 3% silver, and 5.33% copper) and the newer British Sovereigns have a pinkish hue (91.7% gold and 8.3% copper).
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,388 |
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Posted 02/28/2022 7:41 pm
