The Canadian Maple Leaf, the Australian Kangaroo, a British Sovereign, the Mexican Peso, and the Austrian Corona are just a few of the many gold coins one can purchase through dealers and mints.

When choosing a coin type for purchase, an individual must consider the actual reasons for the purchase. A number of investors, both large and small, are diverting fair percentages of their assets into physical gold coins. Doing so allows them to retain physical wealth without cash flow requirements, corporate managers, or connections to shaky markets.

Gold bullion coins are small, easy to hide, and highly movable during an emergency or disaster. In a time when the world's lending institutions have lost the public's trust, purchasing increasingly valuable gold bullion coins is becoming a feasible choice for many investors.

What gold bullion coins should I buy?

One popular coin across the world is the South African Krugerrand. This coin was first issued in 1967 by the South African Mint and is named after Paul Kruger, a former South African president and famous figure in the South African Republic's formation. Existing as a legal tender coin, the Krugerrand is alloyed with a small amount of copper to aid in scratch and dent resistance.

Prior to the Krugerrand's minting, the only way to purchase gold bullion worldwide was to buy gold bars. The Krugerrand was the first gold bullion coin to contain exactly one troy ounce of gold. The Krugerrand comes in four denominations based on weight in gold: 1 ounce, ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, and 1/10 ounce. In the United States, this gold coin is presentable at any bank for exchange of currency, and its value is easily recognizable. Over 54 million Krugerrands are in circulation worldwide.

When purchasing a Krugerrand, a buyer will pay a premium amount above the spot price. Of all gold bullion coins, this coin sometimes sells for the smallest premium and sometimes costs less per ounce, making it the most affordable bullion coin on the market.

Another common coin is the United States Gold Eagle, which like the Krugerrand, is considered legal tender. This coin was first issued in 1986 by the United States Mint and is the top-selling gold bullion coin worldwide.

The coin's Walking Liberty face design was inspired by the American sculptor Adolph Weinman and copies the $20 Saint-Gaudens gold coin face. The coin's reverse has a gold eagle designed by Miley Busiek, and indicates the amount of gold (in troy ounces), purity, and face value of the coin.

Due to unprecedented demand in 2008, sales of these coins were actually suspended for a short period from August 14 to August 25!

Gold Eagles, like Krugerrands, are easy to buy and convert to cash at most coin and precious metal dealers. This coin sells in 1 ounce, ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, and 1/10 ounce forms.

The US government guarantees the weight, content, and purity of each coin. Over 11 million Gold Eagles have been sold worldwide since 1986.