Melt value of modern bullion coins and bars
Melt value is the fine gold content times the spot price ($4,072.10 per troy ounce right now). It is the floor under a coin’s price, before any premium.
| Coin or bar | Karat | Fine gold (ozt) | Melt value now |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle — 1 oz | 22K | 1 | $4,072.10 |
| American Gold Eagle — 1/2 oz | 22K | 0.5 | $2,036.05 |
| American Gold Eagle — 1/4 oz | 22K | 0.25 | $1,018.03 |
| American Gold Eagle — 1/10 oz | 22K | 0.1 | $407.21 |
| American Buffalo — 1 oz | 24K | 1 | $4,072.10 |
| Canadian Maple Leaf — 1 oz | 24K | 1 | $4,072.10 |
| Krugerrand — 1 oz | 22K | 1 | $4,072.10 |
| Bar — 1 gram | 24K | 0.032151 | $130.92 |
| Bar — 10 gram | 24K | 0.321507 | $1,309.21 |
| Bar — 1 troy ounce | 24K | 1 | $4,072.10 |
| Bar — 100 gram | 24K | 3.215075 | $13,092.11 |
| Bar — 1 kilogram | 24K | 32.150747 | $130,921.06 |
The American Gold Eagle and Krugerrand are 22K coins, but each one-ounce coin holds a full troy ounce of fine gold, so it weighs more than an ounce in total.
To add a dealer premium, sales tax and shipping, use the bullion calculator on the home page.
Melt value of older gold coins
Older coins are valued at melt as a minimum. Rare dates and high grades can be worth much more than the metal to collectors, so check before melting.
| Coin | Fine gold (ozt) | Melt value now |
|---|---|---|
| US $20 Double Eagle (Liberty or Saint-Gaudens) | 0.9675 | $3,939.76 |
| US $10 Eagle (pre-1933) | 0.48375 | $1,969.88 |
| US $5 Half Eagle (pre-1933) | 0.24187 | $984.92 |
| US $2.50 Quarter Eagle (pre-1933) | 0.12094 | $492.48 |
| US $1 gold dollar | 0.04837 | $196.97 |
| British full sovereign | 0.2354 | $958.57 |
| British half sovereign | 0.1177 | $479.29 |
| Mexican 50 pesos | 1.2057 | $4,909.73 |
Fine gold contents are the standard published figures for each coin. Confirm with your dealer before trading.
Premiums over spot
Bullion moves the opposite way from scrap: you pay more than spot rather than less. The premium covers minting, distribution, dealer margin and liquidity. One-ounce sovereign coins such as the American Gold Eagle and Buffalo usually carry about 3–8%. Fractional coins carry considerably more, because the same fixed costs are spread over less gold. Large bars carry the least. Premiums widen when retail demand spikes.
When you sell back you receive the bid price, which is below ask, so budget for a round-trip spread of several percent.
Coin or scrap?
If a coin is common and in poor condition, it trades near melt. If it is a key date, a high grade or part of a set, a collector may pay far more. Get a coin dealer’s opinion before selling old coins for their metal. For jewelry and scrap, use the scrap gold calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a one-ounce gold coin worth?
At melt value, a one-ounce gold coin is worth the spot price per troy ounce, because it contains one troy ounce of fine gold. Dealers sell it for a premium above that and buy it back below the selling price.
How much gold is in a $20 Double Eagle?
A US $20 Double Eagle contains 0.9675 troy ounces of fine gold.
Is a Gold Eagle worth more than its melt value?
New Gold Eagles sell for a premium over melt, typically a few percent for one-ounce coins. Older or scarce dates can be worth more to collectors.
Why does a fractional coin cost a bigger premium?
The costs of minting and distribution are similar for a small coin and a large one, so they are a bigger share of the price of a coin with less gold.
Is a sovereign worth more than its gold content?
Common sovereigns trade close to melt plus a small premium. Rare dates and conditions can carry much more.