Perth Mint Certificate Program

The Perth Mint in Australia, runs a highly successful Gold Certificate Program called The Perth Mint Certificate Program (PMCP).

This gold certificate program is designed for the individual to buy and keep gold and other precious metals without the inconvenience associated with transportation and storage of large quantities of gold. This is done by The Perth Mint issuing a Certificate confirming your purchase and which is then stored at the Mint on your behalf.

According to the Mints' website, "The Perth Mint Certificate gives you legal title to precious metals held by The Perth Mint on either a segregated (allocated) or unsegregated (unallocated) basis. The Certificate is in your name and identified by a Certificate number. The PMCP is also the only Government Guaranteed certificate program in the world, making it one of the safest ways to own precious metals."

There are two main aspects to the program. An investor can select either Allocated (segregated) or Unallocated (unsegregated) storage. Both allocated or unallocated storage accounts are covered by a Western Australian Government Guarantee so the main difference, as far as the investor is concerned is that there are NO storage fees on the unallocated option.

With the Unallocated (unsegregated) Bullion You have title to unspecified precious metal deposited in a metal account. You pay only the precious metal cost at the time of your purchase. You pay NO storage fees on this option. This is a pool of precious metal such as gold or silver and one simply 'shares' in that pool.

With the Allocated (segregated) Coins or Bars (Gold and Silver only) however, you own title to specific coins and/or bars, which are placed in a physical form in the PMCP storage facility. You pay the quoted precious metal cost, fabrication charges and storage fees at the time of your purchase. Storage fees are based on the purchase value of your precious metal at the time of purchase, so your storage costs will not rise if precious metal prices increase. Annual storage fees are collected every three years in arrears, with one year's storage payable at time of purchase.

The minimum account opening amount is USD 10,000 (AUD 5,000 for Australian/New Zealand residents) And further minimum subsequent purchases or sales are USD 5,000 (AUD 5,000).

Products included are Perth Mint allocated coins and bars and unallocated bullion. All certificates are purchased through a reputable international Approved Dealer network and are transferable, non-negotiable, and have no fixed size.

The PMCP is especially suitable for investors seeking confidentiality, flexibility and low cost secure storage for their precious metal assets. As far as Australians are concerned, no sales tax is levied on purchases and sales of precious metals in Australia and there are no restrictions on the movement of precious metal in and out of Australia. Consult your own financial adviser with regard to taxes in your own country.

With regard to security. As per the Perth Mint, "All precious metal held by the Perth Mint Depository in both allocated or unallocated storage accounts is covered by a Western Australian Government Guarantee. The Perth Mint is wholly owned by the Government of Western Australia and has been providing investors with precious metal storage and trading facilities since 1899. Western Australia is rated AAA by Standard and Poor's. The bullion bar products of the Gold Corporation group enjoy accreditation from the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), the New York Commodities Exchange (COMEX) and the Tokyo Commodities Exchange (TOCOM). And all precious metal owned or controlled by the group, including PMCP metal, is insured (at The Perth Mint's cost) by reputable international insurers."

The Perth Mint Certificate Program is the only Government Guaranteed precious metal accumulation program in the world. It is owned by the Gold Corporation, a unique diversified Australian precious metals group created by statute in 1987, and wholly owned by the Government of Western Australia.

Transaction confidentiality is provided for under the Gold Corporation Act 1987 and the Perth Mint Certificate Program's administrative procedures.

The following coins and bars are available under allocated storage:
Australian Nugget gold coins in eight sizes: 1 kilo, 10oz, 2oz, 1oz, 1/2oz, 1/4oz, 1/10oz, 1/20oz
Australian Lunar gold coins in seven sizes: 1 kilo, 10oz, 2oz, 1oz, 1/4oz, 1/10oz,1/20oz
Australian Kookaburra silver coins in four sizes: 1 kilo, 10oz, 2oz,1oz
Australian Lunar silver coins in five sizes: 1 kilo, 10oz, 2oz, 1oz, 1/2oz
Perth Mint gold bars in eight sizes: 50oz, Kilo, 20oz, 10oz, 5oz, 2.5oz, 1oz, 1/2oz
Perth Mint silver bars in five sizes: 100oz, 50oz, Kilo, 20oz, 10oz
AGR Matthey 400oz gold bar and 1,000oz silver bar

The Perth Mint Certificate can easily be liquidated if required. The owner simply sells the Certificate back to an Approved Dealer. Alternatively, the owner can take physical delivery at the Perth Mint or arrange for physical delivery at a variety of locations worldwide of their gold.

One can also surrender any portion of the Certificate, provided you continue to meet the account minimum. A new Certificate will be issued for the remainder of your precious metals.

In addition to the purchase of the precious metals and payment of fabrication charges, there is a USD $50.00 (AUD $10.00 for Australian/New Zealand residents) certificate fee regardless of the size of the certificate. The only other fee is the Approved Dealer's commission.

Lastly, if you lose or have stolen your certificate(s) a replacement is available by filing a Lost Certificate Declaration Form and paying a re-issuance fee.

The Perth Mint Certificate is made available to individual investors through anapproved dealer much like the purchase of physical precious metals for delivery.

For those who want to own gold without the inconvenience of transport, storage, the security risks of having and owning gold on your property and the additional cost of insurance, a Gold Certificate Program from the Perth Mint is a useful alternative.

Buy Gold in Australia

To buy gold in Australia is very easy. Australia is fortunate enought to have two mints. the Perth Mint and the Australian Mint. Probably the first place one would look to is the Perth Mint who sell a very extensive range of gold products. Also there are a number of reputable Australian Gold Dealers one can buy gold from in Australia.

Australian gold products include:

• Australian gold coins
• Australian gold bars and bullion
• Australian Nuggets
• Early Australian Gold Jewellery

The Australian Gold Sovereign is popular with collectors, having an investment potential as well as beauty and rarity. The Sovereign has been struck at the Australian Mint and Perth Mint over a period of years and while the recently minted ones are excellent in their own right, the earlier and rarer ones are also sort after by enthusiasts building a collection.

The Australian Gold Bar is another fine gold product popular with collectors. These are obtainable from the Perth Mint as well as dealers around Australia.

There is a lot of romance and mystery surrounding the Australian Nuggets. These are quite rare as are only found on the surface while prospecting and never found underground. Australian Nuggets are an excellent investment due to their rarity and popularity with collectors. Each nugget is individual with no two being alike. They range from fractions of an ounce to over 10 ounces in very rare cases.

Early Australian Gold Jewellery is almost a separate subject itself and it requires some considerable experience and expertise to know what to collect and what to pass by. Available mostly from dealers and auction houses, the value of Australian Gold Jewellery depends largely on the rarity, genuineness and historical interest of the piece. Early Australian Gold Jewellery is not something the novice gold collector would collect.

Australian Gold usually has a history that provides a bonus to the serious side of gold collecting. To buy gold in Australia can indeed be a satisfying and rewarding pastime.

Chinese Gold Coins

There are two Chinese gold coins of note issued by the Chinese Government.

The Unicorn gold coin, issued in 1986, is legal tender in the People’s Republic of China. Struck by the People's Bank of China, the obverse (head) depicts a Chinese unicorn - the title of PRC in Chinese and the issuing year, and on the reverse (tail) the Western unicorn.

They are 99% pure gold and weigh one twentieth of a troy ounce. They have a face value of 5 Yuan but will sell for around 40 to 50 dollars US depending on the condition. The condition should always be brilliant uncirculated as far as serious coin collectors are concerned.

The other Chinese gold coin available is the very popular Panda. Probably due to the adorable and cute pandas, always a favorite animal around the world, featured on the obverse (head) of the coins.

The Panda was first produced in 1982 and comes in one tenth, one quarter, one half and a full troy ounce in weight coin. Although the design is that of a Panda on the obverse, each year, with the exception of 1992, a different panda design was struck. All are brilliant uncirculated.

From 1986 to 1995 proof sets were issued and these now command a very respectable price due to their increasing rarity.

Another gold coin, although it could hardly be called a coin as it looks more like a wafer or bar, is the China Year of the Monkey 2004 half troy ounce coin. This features, of course, a monkey on the obverse and is not round like most coins but fan shaped. These usually come brilliant uncirculated and in a presentation box. Only 6600 were made so these are quite rare. They will sell for between 400 and 500 dollars US each.

The Chinese Mint sometimes issues other Gold Commemorative Coins.

Some examples are:

1979 International Children's Year gold commemorative coin (First year gold coin)
Mintage: 13000
Denomination: 450 Yuan
Quality: Proof
Diameter: 27mm
Fineness: 90%
Weight: 1/2oz
Reverse shows two children planting a tree.
Can be purchased for about 325 to 350 dollars US.

1993 Peacock Gold Coin
Mintage: 1200
Denomination: 100 Yuan
Quality: Proof
Diameter: 32mm
Fineness: 99.9%
Weight: 1oz
Obverse: The Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Imperial Palace.
Reverse: "Peacock" painted by Lang Shining in Qing Dynasty.
Usually costs about 1000 dollars US

1994 Endangered Wildlife Gold commemorative coin (Panda)
Mintage: 5000
Denomination: 100 Yuan
Quality: Proof
Diameter: 23mm
Fineness: 91.6%
Weight: 8g
Available for around 340 – 350 dollars US

1995 Dinosaur gold commemorative coin
Mintage: 2000
Denomination: 50 Yuan
Quality: Proof
Diameter: 27mm Fineness: 99.9%
Weight: 1/2oz
Obverse: The Wooden Pagoda in Shanxi province.
Reverse: Dinosaur.
This coin will fetch over 400 dollars US

1998 Guilin Scenery gold commemorative coin set (4 rectangular shaped coins)
Mintage: 1600 sets (actually mintage only 904 sets)
Denomination: 50 Yuan x 4
Fineness: 99.9%
Weight: 1/2oz x 4 Diameter: (29mm x 19mm) x 4
Obverse: Four famous scenic pots ( the Elephant Trunk Hill, The Flowery Bridge, The Duxiu Peak and the Nanxi Hill).
Reverse: Guilin landscape.

This set regularly fetches over 2000 dollars US.

With such an impressive selection of popular and rare gold coins, a coin enthusiast can enjoy a fascinating and absorbing hobby collecting Chinese gold coins.

Indian Head Gold Coins

Indian Head gold coins can command a very high price due to their rarity provided they are in fgood condition. They were only minted from 1907 to 1933 and the total minted was less than a single year's mintage of the Morgan Silver Dollar so there is not that many of them.

President 'Teddy' Roosevelt wanted to create a new gold coin for the US and contracted the famous sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens to create the Indian Head gold coin. Saint-Gaudens basically sketched the design for the coin on a napkin and passed the design to German-born Adolph A. Weinman, better known to collectors today for his 'Mercury' Dime and Walking Liberty Half Dollar.

The great sculptor used the 'Miss Libert' profile, adding a feathered Indian headdress and stars to represent the States. On the reverse of the ten dollar gold coin was an eagle perched on a collection of arrows.

This coin is now much sought after for its rarity, unusual design and history by collectors.

The coin weight is 16.718 grams with .900 fine gold. It has raised stars and the net weight of pure gold is .48375 troy ounce.

Rare dates to look for are: 1920-S, 1930-S, and 1933. Scarce dates to watch out for are: 1908-S, 1911-D, 1911-S, 1913-S

In 1908 Roosevelt commissioned a new five dollar Indian Head gold coin and this was a most unusual coin in that the designer, Bela Lyon Pratt, designed the coin with the head incuse, which is to say, the sculptured head is not raised above the surface, as with most coins, but sunken below it. Again, very few of these coins were minted from 1908 to 1915 when production ceased for ten years before resuming again. In 1929 the stock market crash, bringing the depression, halted production of the five dollars coin forever and there has been no further production since.

This makes the five dollar Indian Head gold coin one of the rarest and most sought after coins ever made.

The five dollar Indian Head gold coin contains half the gold content of a ten dollar gold piece.

As well as being an absorbing pastime if somewhat expensive, collecting Indian Head gold coins are an excellent investment and the rewards will inevitably outweigh the costs in the long term.

Austrian Gold Coins

Perhaps not so well known, outside of numismatics and coin collectors, are the Austrian gold coins. Yet Austria is a country steeped in history well known for its music and culture.

The currencies of Austria have included the Florin, the Crown and the Ducat, although the Ducat was never legal tender. Nowadays, of course, the Euro is the currency of Austria. However, one can still get Austrian gold coins in the form of Ducats, Florins, Crowns or Corona.

The currently produced Austrian gold coins are the one troy ounce, and fractional coins of one half, one quarter and one tenth of a troy ounce. Usually the face value is in Schillings with the one ounce being 2000 Schillings, the half being 1000 Schillings and so on.

The 2002 gold coins known as the "Philharmoniker" bullion coins, however, were struck in euros with the one ounce face value of one hundred euros, the half fifty euros and so on.

All coins are struck in 99.99 percent pure gold.

Gold Ducats were first minted at the beginning of the 16th century and have continued to be minted more or less continuously. Ducats are not legal tender however and have only ever been used as gold coins for specimen, collectors or for display.

Gold Florins and Crowns were once legal tender and were quite popular during the late 1800s. You can still locate, with some research, gold coins of some ten or twenty gold florins.

Pictured is the 1908, 100 Corona (Crown). This design, often referred to as "The Lady in the Clouds", is considered one of the most attractive coin designs of the 20th century.

Only 16 thousand were struck and very few struck as proofs. Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the reign of Franz Joseph, the coins fetch anywhere from one thousands dollars to several thousand US depending on their condition.

As with all coin purchases ensure you select a reputable dealer. You can get Austrian gold coins from Austrian gold coins.

For the serious collector as well as the hobbyist, collecting Austrian gold coins can be a pleasurable and profitable pastime.

Spanish Gold Coins

Of all the Spanish gold coins the Doubloon always seems to bring echoes of the romance and adventures of pirates and buccaneers.

As with Spanish silver, Spanish gold coinage was popular around the world. The basic gold coin was the eight escudo piece, often called a Doubloon. In 1537 eight escudos was set at 27.4680 grams of .92 fine gold (22-carat gold). In 1728 the weight was reduced to 27.06429 grams, and then in 1772 the fineness was reduced to .90103. The Spanish escudo eventually became the standard by which other gold coins were measured.

Different to the silver escudos, the gold escudos were only used by the wealthy so tend not to be worn down as much. Therefore, the earlier escudos tend to command a high price, sometimes in the thousands, depending on the actual condition of the coin.

For example an 8 Escudos gold coin struck from the Popayan Mint with a weight of 27.0 grams can fetch up to 1400 dollars US or more. A 4 Escudos coin minted in Madrid and weighting 13.5 grams will fetch up to $795.00.

There are hundreds of different Spanish gold coins and many collectors specialize in collecting Spanish gold coins only, building up an impressive collection with a very high value.

When buying such coins one should seek a reputable dealer and insist upon a certificate of authenticity. This should apply to the newer coins as well as the ancient and especially for ‘shipwrecked’ coins. That is coins found in shipwrecks as salvage.

There are two types of certificates here. For shipwrecked coins there is the original certificate supplied by the original company who handle the salvage and distribution of such coins. The other is for normal coins, which is to say non shipwrecked coins.

What ever type of Spanish gold coins one collects one can be assured of an absorbing hobby that could even turn out to be quite profitable as well!

Russian Gold Coins

Early Russian gold coins consisted of gold Kopeks, Ducats, Poltinas, and Novodels. But in recent times the Rouble has become the currency of Russia and is now the Russian gold coin of choice.

It is very rare that one would encounter a gold Kopek, Ducat, Poltina, or Novodel. The most common Russian coins available today are the Imperial and later 5 Rouble and up to 150 Rouble gold coins.

These would be from the early 1800s through to the present day. The mintage, or number of coins issued, as well as the date and condition will affect the value of the coin. The coins most popular are those of the imperial age prior to the Revolution and such coins will contain the head of the then current Tsar, such as Nicholas the II, for example, on the obverse (head) of the coin. After the Russian Revolution, The R.S.F.S.R., the socialist state of Russia, came into being and they issued gold coins also. The only denomination of gold coin issued by the RSFSR was the 10 Roubles. These were known as Chervonetz.

There were three different issues of the Chervonetz. They are the original in 1923, a second issue under the USSR (CCCP) in 1925 (all but one are thought to have been melted) and a third issue from 1975 to 1982. Only coins of this third type can be commonly found. The average price for a coin of this type is around 110 -120 dollars US. If you ever find one of the original issues however, these would command an extremely high price.

Moving earlier, an 1898 10 Rouble gold coin featuring Nicholas II in very fine condition will fetch around 120 dollars US. The mintage was only 200,000 of that coin. A 10 Rouble coin will have a gold content of around .2489 of an ounce and be 90 percent fine gold. Alloys are added to maintain hardness and durability.

Some significant coins includes the 1980 Moscow Olympics coin sets. The Russian government issued a series of six gold 100 Rouble coins from 1977 to 1980 inclusive for this event. These were issued in proof and ordinary uncirculated versions. These value at around 270 to 300 dollars US each currently.

As with collecting any specialized gold coins, always seek out a reputable dealer with whom you can buy and sell.

Russian Gold coins offers a number of Russian coins available for collectors. These can be ordered online from their website.

Collecting Russian gold coins can be a fascinating and absorbing hobby for the coin enthusiast well as an excellent investment for the future!

Roman Gold Coins

Roman gold coins are worth their weight in gold! In fact, in many cases they are worth a lot more.

The Romans used gold, silver and copper coins in their monetary system. Gold coins were mainly used by administrators or wealthier merchants. The silver and a copper alloy were used by ordinary merchants and the people of Rome and the Roman Empire.

People would also often convert their earnings and life savings into gold coins and hide them.

The gold coin, or 'Aurei' as it was called then, was usually around 95 percent pure gold. A legionnaire would earn about 4 a week. One Aurei would buy 400 litres of cheap wine or 200 pounds of flour.

Roman gold coins usually had the head of the Emperor or Caesar at the time the coin was struck and most Roman gold coins were struck at the Constantinople Mint.

There are many many issues of coins depicting various Emperors. Most are rare and command a high value well over the value of the gold content.

Roman coins are usually weight by gram. They can be from a couple of grams upwards.

For example a Honorius, 22 January 393 - 15 August 423 A.D. Extra Fine weighting 4.449 grams with Honorius on both sides would fetch around 700-800 dollars US.

Because collecting Roman gold coins is very much a specialized activity, one needs to ensure that one is dealing with a reputable dealer who knows and understands Roman gold coins. In the field of coin collection or numismatics, Roman gold coin collection is somewhat more specialized.

Roman Gold coins is an excellent site to go to join a Roman gold coins collectors group or Forum. There is a wealth of information there and one can get thoroughly acquainted with this fascinating hobby of Roman gold coin collecting!