History of Pre-1933 U.S. Gold Coins

The first gold coins issued by the United States Mint were in 1795. As the country expanded west, U.S. gold coins were struck at 7 different mints from Philadelphia to San Francisco. From 1838 to 1907, $20 Liberty Head gold coins were minted. $20 Saint Gauden gold coins were minted from 1907 to 1933.

In 1933, during the height of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt made holding gold illegal for U.S. citizens, and ordered all gold coins removed from circulation and returned to the U.S. Treasury. Millions of gold coins were melted into gold bars.

After the U.S. gold recalls and meltdowns, previously common Gold Coins suddenly became very rare and difficult to obtain. Today, the total surviving pre-1933 U.S. gold coin supply is limited. Estimates have less than 1% surviving. Now, such coins are prized by rare coin collectors and investors alike.

U.S. gold coins minted before 1933 are individually valued based on date, rarity, appeal among collectors, and state of preservation known as grade. Please contact us about current availability or with offers to sell. Prices are for sample items, individual prices vary.

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