Old Gold Coins

Vintage Gold Coins at Provident Metals

At Provident Metals, we have a wide range of Vintage Gold Coins to choose from. While the history of modern bullion gold coinage starts with the South African Krugerrand in 1967, gold coins have been issued around the world for thousands of years prior. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of popular Vintage Gold Coins, such as various European Gold Coins, available at Provident Metals.

Vintage British Gold

Among the most popular options available are British Sovereign Gold Coins. These coins debuted in 1817 during the reign of King George III. These coins were originally called English Sovereign Gold Coins and were last minted in 1603. However, the Great Recoinage of 1816 brought coins like these back.

These Sovereigns are available as a Sovereign, Half-Sovereign, and Double-Sovereign. Initially serving as circulation coins, they generally became out of circulation by World War I. The reigning monarch of Britain is always depicted on the obverse. These have included the following:

• King George III
• King George IV
• Queen Victoria
• King Edward VII
• King George V
• King Edward VIII
• King George VI
• Queen Elizabeth II

The reverse of these coins displays one of two potential designs. Benedetto Pistrucci’s design of St. George slaying the dragon whilst on horseback was introduced in 1817. This design was used until 1837, and again in the 1880s. During a portion of Queen Victoria’s lengthy reign, a version of the Royal Arms was used on the reverse.

Vintage Austrian Gold

At Provident Metals, another popular option you’ll find is gold coins from Austria. The Austrian Empire, and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was the third largest in the world at the time, and as such these gold coins are among the most diverse issued in Europe at the time.

The obverse, reverse, and denomination of these coins are all dependent on several factors. Some popular denominations are the following:

• Austrian Schillings: Issued by the Republic of Austria following the collapse of the empire post-World War I.
• Austrian Corona: Issued by the Austrian Mint beginning in the 1890s after the adoption of the gold standard.
• Austrian/Hungarian Korona: Issued by the Austro-Hungarian Empire along with the Corona. More so used within Hungary.
• Austrian Ducat: History dating back to the 1100s. Adopted as a format of trade currency in the 1850s in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
• Austrian Florin: Issued after the adoption of the gold standard in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
• Austrian Franc: Issued after the adoption of the gold standard in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Design elements on both the obverse and reverse can differ greatly. One popular image used on the obverse of these coins was the effigy of Emperor Franz Joseph I. He first ruled as the Emperor of the Austrian Empire and later served as the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after the merger with the Kingdom of Hungary, He was one of Europe’s longest-reigning monarchs.

Common reverse designs include the coat of arms for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This design was inspired by the Habsburg seal. Another popular reverse design was the face value encircled by a wreath, commonly found on Austrian Schillings.

Vintage French Gold Coins

French Francs are another option available to you at Provident Metals. The term “franc” originated in France in the mid-1300s. The franc would eventually become the official currency of France from 1795 to 1999. With such a large history, design elements are dependent on the year of issue.

These coins were issued in an array of denominations such as 5 Francs, 10 Francs, 20 Francs, and 40 Francs. Napoleon Bonaparte was the first to appear on the obverse of these modern French Francs. His nephew, Napoleon III was also featured on these coins from 1848 to 1870. Common reverse designs feature the coat of arms for France, a face value encased in a wreath, and even a rooster design that was first used in 1899.

Other Popular Vintage Gold Coins

• Dutch Guilder: The Dutch GULDEN was used in 1517 but it didn’t become the official currency of Holland until the 17^th 10 Guilder and 5 Guilder denominations are among the most popular. The ruling King or Queen of the Netherlands was seen on the obverse while the nation’s coat of arms was used on the reverse.
• German Mark: Primarily issued from 1873 to 1914 and was the official legal tender of the German Empire beginning in 1876. These coins were the shortest-lived European Gold Coins. The obverse showcases the ruling emperor for Germany while the reverse shows the Imperial German Eagle. World War I brought the ending of these coins.
• Swedish Kroner: Issued from 1873-1902 these coins are scarce due to them being made in lower quantities. These coins are still considered legal tender in Sweden. Oscar II is used on the obverse with the Swedish coat of arms on the reverse.
• Swiss Franc: Used by the Helvetic Republic from 1798 to 1847. Helvetia is seen on the obverse. Helvetia is the female personification of Switzerland, like how Britannia is to Great Britain. The reverse features the national shield of Switzerland.

Investing in Vintage Gold Coins at Provident Metals

For any inquiries about Vintage Gold Coins, don’t hesitate to contact the Provident Metals customer service team at 800-313-3315. Our team can also be contacted via email or through our online chat feature.