Sunday 8 July 2012

Krugerrand gold coin bullion denominations

The Krugerrand is the most famous gold coin in the world and probably the most minted gold coin. Only in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the Krugerrand is also "Krugerrand" is written, - in all other countries it's called "Krugerrand" - without the umlaut.

The Krugerrand is named after the bullion coin pictured on the Paul Kruger. Krugerrand gold coins are legal tender in South Africa, even if not a separate denomination printed on the bullion coin.

Every day is set in South Africa, a mathematical equivalent to the gold price - which, after the gold prices in London (LBMA Gold Fixing) is calculated.

Since 1967, the South African Krugerrand is made. Producer of Krugerrands is not the South African Mint, as many suspect, instead, the Rand Refinery, a gold refinery in South Africa, which manufactures the Krugerrand under extreme security precautions in the Republic of South Africa.

From 1967 to 1979 there was only the full ounce Krugerrand, since 1980 there are denominations (English: "Fractionals") fine ounce to 1/4, 1/2 oz fine ounce and 1/10. Krugerrands are produced to the quality in bullion coins (bullion coins quality) per annum, there are also so-called "Proof" Krugerrands, which dealt specifically with specially polished dies and coin blanks (blanks). This Proof Krugerrands have a very reflective surface and are sold at a significant premium to the price of pure precious metal coin enthusiasts in limited editions.



Famous are inter alia The proof sets (usually 4 Bullions of 1/10 ounce to 1 oz) in red packaging and the so-called "Prestige Sets" in wooden boxes, which generally each time (fine ounce 1/10 to 1 fine ounce) every 4 Bullions included and additionally by a seal of approval be accompanied. Similarly, there are also single Bullion coins in proof (PP) in cases and other compilations.

The Krugerrand coins as an investment, that investment coin is delivered ex-manufacturing Mint WITHOUT certificate and no box. In general, Krugerrands sold in "tubes" / tubes and a 10 to 15 bullion coins (involves 1-ounce edition).

The bullion coin quality is usually the case of new German quality "stempelglanz". Usually made in Germany by the dealers for two different prices:

Krugerrand prägefrisch and uncirculated (usually the current year)
Krugerrand several years (circulated)
Since the Krugerrand is among modern gold bullion coins, the bullion coin, which is the longest on the market, there are huge amounts of secondary market goods, ie Coins, the former owners and heirs of is converted back into foreign currency.

Krugerrand Gold Bullions from the secondary market generally have no more of an aesthetic, polished surface can be scratched. The quality is usually referred to as the "banker's" goodness.

The share of a gold Krugerrands from the secondary market and a new Krugerrands are very probably identical. There are also more aesthetic aspects that make one or another investor rather buy a new one rather than a "used" Krugerrand.

The years 1967, 1968 and 1969 are trading at slightly higher values ​​because they are the first Krugerrand vintages and the rest is relatively low.
The same applies to the years in which the Krugerrand because of a U.S. boycott is not allowed to be exported (1986-1999)

Since the Krugerrand is so popular and well known, there are many fakes and there are also regular fraud, for example on the online auction site eBay.

The genuine Krugerrand gold consists of 91.667% hydrogen. Many counterfeit Krugerrands are just gold-plated ("gold-plated") or of 333, 585 or 750 gold. Also appear regularly in online auctions so-called "sample" on which to "test", "Copy" or "NP" are earmarked for new coinage or restrike. Coin collectors often already have fallen for those medals. They all have one thing in common: They are not bullion coins but cheap medals, which generally serve only one purpose: to be kept ignorant of buyers for real. This should be approached cautiously.

Real Krugerrands can be for example Buy from coin dealers such as In Silver & Gold price comparison search engines such as find a clue to what gold price range are usually employed in Germany Krugerrand bullion coins offered. You do not always buy from the cheapest provider - this could also be with the longest delivery time or the highest shipping price, - but it sure hurts not to know the price range that is seriously unacceptable. Who wants to buy gold in the form of Krugerrands is, in Germany, usually in specialized coin dealers be better than in banks and savings banks, which operate in part due to lower margins, the business or not but demand much higher prices.

Size Diameter Thickness Weight minted
1/10 ounce 16.46 mm 1.19 mm 3.3931 g in 1980
1/4 oz 22.02 mm 1.52 mm 8.4826 g in 1980
1/2 oz 27.00 mm 2.24 mm 16.9653 grams in 1980
1 ounces 32.60 mm 2.75 mm 33.9305 grams in 1967