New.9999 fine (24 karat) 1-oz legal tender $50 gold coins will be contributed to the U.S. Mint’s line of gold bullion coins in 2006 when President Bush indications into law an expense that Congress passed in December. The legislation requires the Mint to have the coins ready to distribute by June 2006, but the coins might be all set before then.

The legislation authorizing the new.9999 fine gold coins was quite specific, mandating the style and even the approach of packaging. For the first year of issuance, the coins “shall bear the original designs by James Earle Fraser, ‘which appear on the 5-cent coin frequently described as the ‘Buffalo nickel’ or the ‘1913 Type 1’.” This phrasing, without specifically stating it, requires the obverse (front) of the coins to carry the famed Indian Head style by Fraser. The reverse will carry the equally-famed buffalo style.

Each Indian Head-Buffalo coin is to be encased in a protective pill, possibly such as the pills used by Australia’s Perth Mint to safeguard its.9999 fine gold bullion coins, including the popular restricted edition Lunar Series Gold Bullion Coins. The protective cases “will be easily distinguishable” from the packaging for evidence coins, which are also licensed by the bill.

For several years, proof coins have actually been separately encapsulated in protective cases. Separately encapsulating bullion coins will be brand-new to the U.S. Mint. The Mint’s 22-karat (.9167 fine) American Gold Eagles, which are the world’s best-selling gold bullion coins, are packaged twenty to a tube and are not individually encapsulated.

Production of the Indian Head-Buffalo coins will be unlimited, and they will be marketed towards gold investors who choose.9999 fine (24-karat) gold coins. The U.S. Mint already has the world’s very popular gold bullion coins with its 22-karat (.9176 fine) Gold Eagles. Still, there is a substantial market for pure gold coins, and the new Indian Head-Buffalo coins will give the U.S. Mint an item for that market. The Asian and Indian markets plainly prefer pure gold coins, while alloyed gold coins are more popular in the Western World.

Presently, the Royal Canadian Mint’s.9999 fine Gold Maple Leafs are the world’s best selling pure gold coins. The Gold Maple Leafs have actually fallen into disfavor with investors since of the ease with which they are harmed. To counter this, the Royal Canadian Mint recently presented new product packaging for the 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs.

The new packaging for the 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs will put the coins individually in pills that are suspended in credit card sizes cards, twenty-five coins to a box. It is too early to determine market approval of the new packaging for the Gold Maple Leafs.

Considering the appeal of the of Indian Head-Buffalo style, the U.S. Mint’s new.9999 great gold coins might offer stiff competitors for the Gold Maple Leafs. When the U.S. Mint produced a minimal number of Indian Head-Buffalo $1 silver coins sets, Fraser’s styles proved to be a winner in 2001. The sets offered out right away and today bring prices numerous times their preliminary offering prices.

The brand-new Indian Head-Buffalo.9999 fine gold coins, however, will not be restricted edition, at least not the first year. The costs permits the Mint to “change the optimum variety of coins released” in subsequent years. Even more, the bill licenses the Mint to change the styles on either the obverse or the reverse after the very first year’s production.

The U.S. Mint produces its popular American Gold Eagles in four sizes, 1-oz, 1/2-oz, 1/4-oz, and 1/10-oz, the brand-new Indian Head-Buffalo pure gold coins will be minted in just one size: 1-ounce. With the popular Indian Head and Buffalo designs, the Mint’s new.9999 great gold coins might rapidly become favorites with gold coin investors.

Production of the Indian Head-Buffalo coins will be unrestricted, and they will be marketed towards gold investors who prefer.9999 great (24-karat) gold coins. Still, there is a big market for pure gold coins, and the new Indian Head-Buffalo coins will provide the U.S. Mint a product for that market. The Asian and Indian markets plainly choose pure gold coins, while alloyed gold coins are more popular in the Western World.

Currently, the Royal Canadian Mint’s.9999 fine Gold Maple Leafs are the world’s best selling pure gold coins. Considering the popularity of the of Indian Head-Buffalo style, the U.S. Mint’s brand-new.9999 fine gold coins might provide stiff competition for the Gold Maple Leafs.