Pure gold coins almost here

Alex Cohen Jun 21, 2006

TEXT OF STORY

MARK AUSTIN THOMAS: The first ever pure gold coin has been unveiled by the US Mint. It goes on sell tomorrow. Alex Cohen says buyers are already lining up to get a piece of history — or just a good investment.

ALEX COHEN: The new coin will contain one ounce of 24 karat gold and come in two versions, one minted for investors and one for collectors.

Both coins feature the same design: a replica of the famed 1913 nickel which pictured a buffalo on one side and the profile of a Native American on the other.

Joyce Harris is with the U.S. Mint

JOYCE HARRIS: The denomination on the coin is a $50 gold coin. However we are finalizing as we speak the price of the coin.

Harris says collectors can expect an initial price of roughly $800 when the coin goes on sale Thursday.

Analysts say the timing for a gold coin is good. The price of gold hit a 26-year high last month at $732 per ounce.

I’m Alex Cohen for Marketplace.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.