A gold coin is a coin made mostly or entirely of gold. In modern times, most gold coins are intended either to be sold to collectors, or to be used as bullion coins—coins whose nominal value is irrelevant and which serve primarily as a method of investing in gold.
Gold has been used as money for many reasons. It is fungible, with a low spread between the prices to buy and sell. Gold is also easily transportable, as it has a high value to weight ratio, compared to other commodities, such as silver. Gold can be divided into smaller units, without destroying its value; it can also be melted into ingots, and re-coined. The density of gold is higher than most other metals, making it difficult to pass counterfeits. Gold is extremely unreactive.
Read more about Gold Coin: Collector Coins, Bullion Coins, Fineness of Gold Coins, Grading Coins, Rarity Factor, Counterfeits
Famous quotes containing the words gold and/or coin:
“We are educated in the grossest ignorance, and no art omitted to stifle our natural reason; if some few get above their nurses’ instructions, our knowledge must rest concealed and be as useless to the world as gold in the mine.”
—Mary Wortley, Lady Montagu (1689–1762)
“Washington society has always demanded less and given more than any society in this country—demanded less of applause, deference, etiquette, and has accepted as current coin quick wit, appreciative tact, and a talent for talking.”
—M. E. W. Sherwood (1826–1903)