The American gold Eagles were authorized by the United States Congress in 1985 and began production in four different weights in 1986. The obverse of the coin features Augustus Saint-Gaudens famous Liberty design, walking forward in front of the Capital Building. In 2021, the reverse design changed from nesting eagles to a bold, heroic bust of an eagle. In 2006, the United States government unveiled its newest bullion coin, the American Buffalo. Its design was based on the previous Buffalo nickel design, and the coin was minted in 0.9999 fine gold, as opposed to the 0.9167 purity of the American Eagle.

The Australian gold Kangaroo is the most enduring gold bullion coin from Australia. While the country also produced gold Nuggets, gold Koalas, and gold Lunar coins, the Kangaroo series has become synonymous with Australian bullion. The production of these coins began in 1986 as a gold Nugget, and changed to Australia’s iconic animal, the Kangaroo, in 1990. After the change in design, the coin rapidly gained popularity. Now, the coin’s design is revised each year to feature a new depiction of the national animal. What makes this coin desirable to bullion collectors is its amazing purity – 0.9999 fine gold, in contrast to some other coins on the market that only boast 0.999 or 0.9167.

The Austrian gold Philharmonic was introduced in 1989 as an ode to the arts and culture of the nation. Originally, the coin was only offered in two weights: one ounce and quarter ounce. The design pays tribute to the Vienna Philharmonic, one of the finest orchestras in the world. From 1989 until 2001, the coin was valued in Austrian Shillings, the nation’s currency at the time. Beginning in 2002, the value of the coin was shown in Euros following the adoption of the European Union’s common currency. The Philharmonic is the main bullion coin for Austria, but the country still produces commemorative bullion coins to satisfy the needs of collectors, much like the United States.

The Canadian gold Maple Leaf was the second bullion coin to be introduced, making its debut just a few years after the South African Krugerrand. The Maple Leaf always features the British monarch on the obverse, regardless of which metal it is struck in. The reverse of the coin shows the country’s Sugar Maple leaf, a motif that has only been changed to include security features like lines and privy marks. From 1979 to 1981, the coin was minted in 0.999 fine gold. Beginning in the latter half of 1982, the coin’s purity was increased to 0.9999 fine gold. Canada continues to mint various gold bullion pieces featuring different designs. This coin, though, is the most recognizable amongst them.

Since its beginning in 1982, the Chinese gold Panda program has become one of the most popular bullion coins on the market. Each year, the image of the Giant Panda is reinvented to give collectors a new, intriguing item to purchase. Only once, in 2002, did the design remain the same, much to the dismay of collectors. The coin is offered in plenty of sizes to accommodate all budgets, ranging from 5 ounce and kilo coins, all the way down to 1/20 troy ounce and 1 gram coins. 2016 marked the first year that gram weights were used exclusively, in a switch from the previous troy ounce measurements.

First produced in 1987, the Great Britain gold Britannia is the official bullion coin of the United Kingdom. The coin was originally produced in 0.917 fine gold, but was changed to 24-karat pure gold in 2013. The coin’s obverse features a depiction of the British monarch and is occasionally updated with a newer portrait. Just like some other countries, the reverse design of Britannia will typically change from year to year. The Royal Mint has been known to add interesting details like privy marks and new symbolic lettering to commemorate certain events. The Mint has continued to update the coin to deter counterfeiting, including adding a radial sunburst.

The first Mexican gold Libertad coins were struck in 1981 in three weights: 1 ounce, 1/2 ounce, and 1/4 ounce. After a successful first year mintage, the government did not produce another coin until 1991 when it also added 1/10 ounce and 1/20 ounce weights. Production of the coins continued until a halt in 1995, this time lasting five years. These original strikings were in 0.900 fine gold. When production of the coins resumed in 2002, the purity was increased to 0.999 fine gold. While there are other gold coins being produced by the Mexican Mint, the gold Libertad has risen to the top in terms of popularity. The Mint now offers Proof and Reverse Proof striking of the coins as well.

South African Krugerrands were the first bullion coins to enter the international market, making their first appearance in 1967 as a way for the South African government to promote their gold reserves. Initially, the coins were only produced in 1 troy ounce pieces, but later fractional denominations were added to the series. From 1979 to 1989, other bullion options came available with the introduction of Canada’s gold Maple Leaf, China’s gold Panda, the United States gold Eagle, Austria’s gold Philharmonic, Australia’s gold Kangaroo, and the United Kingdom’s gold Britannia.

As with most gold bullion bars, Credit Suisse bars are almost always found with the same design: a logo or wordmark that identifies the company, the amount of gold, and the purity. Gold bars such as this one are distributed with the target audience of investors instead of collectors. Credit Suisse was founded in Switzerland in 1856 with the purpose of funding the national rail system. However, Credit Suisse grew over time and ended up making its name in the international investment banking arena. Now, Credit Suisse is among the most trusted gold and silver bar distributor. All new bullion items purchased directly from Credit Suisse come with an assay card that verifies the weight, purity and metal content.

The beginnings of Engelhard date back to the early 20th century, when Charles Engelhard moved from Germany to work for a platinum marketer. He soon formed his own company that focused on platinum and its uses within the dental and jewelry professions. The platinum business grew as the years wore on. By the late 1950s, Engelhard was a well-known and trusted name within the precious metal community. It produces millions of dollars worth of gold and silver bars each year. However, in 2006, the company was acquired for roughly $5 Billion by BASF, a fellow company of German origins. To this day, the Engelhard name remains reliable. Engelhard Industries was praised for their honest dealings, accurate weights, and spot-on purities.

The firm of Johnson Matthey began in 1817 in London when Percival Norton Johnson set up shop as a gold assayer. George Matthey joined as a partner in 1851, at which point the business became Johnson & Matthey. The firm has served as official assayer and refiner to the Bank of England, and its successor firm of Johnson Matthey is still highly active in the world precious metals marketplace. However, the firm stopped minting bullion bars in the 1980s. An agreement with a Dallas wholesaler has allowed the Johnson Matthey logo to appear on newly minted bars. The company is located in over 30 countries and employs nearly 10,000 people. Johnson Matthey’s refining business has since sold to Asahi.

Pamp Suisse is a gold, silver, and platinum refiner with origins in Ticino, Switzerland. Founded in 1977, the company is legally known as Produits Artistiques Metaux Precieux, or PAMP for short. This international brand releases a variety of themed gold bars. Among their most popular designs are the Fortuna gold bars, Rosa gold bars, and Lunar gold bars. Pamp Suisse is also recognized for having an array of weights which range from 0.30 grams up to 250 grams on most bars. Another popular design is the 25 gram incremental bars, that allow the buyer to break off 1 gram sections of the bar to create whatever fractional amount is needed. All items from Pamp Suisse are sold with their assay card to insure the weight, purity, and metal content is accurate.

Valcambi is based in Balerna, Switzerland and was founded in 1961 under a different name. Shortly after its founding, the company was bought by Credit Suisse and was used as a tool to diversify the bullion industry and to bring new products to market. Most of the bars produced by Valcambi are cast gold bars, meaning molten gold is poured into open dies and left to cool. Minted ingots are formed with the help of computer controlled stamps and presses. Much like Pamp Suisses fractional bars, Valcambi created the CombiBars, which are 1 ounce bars that are divisible up to 1/10 ounce. This allows the buyer to divide up the bar to their liking after their initial purchase.