How to Buy Pre-1933 U.S. Gold
At a Glance:
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- Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins were minted before the end of the gold standard in 1933.
- You can buy pre-1933 U.S. gold online or locally at coin and bullion shops near you.
- Before you buy, be sure to familiarize yourself with coin grading and key date gold coins.
- Learn more about how to buy pre-1933 U.S. gold coins on this page.
How to Buy Pre-1933 U.S. Gold
Pre-1933 U.S. gold refers to gold coins minted in the United States prior to the end of the gold standard in 1933. With the exception of the mythically rare and (usually) illegal-to-own 1933 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle, no genuine U.S. circulating gold coins are available with the date of 1933.
Since pre-1933 U.S. gold coins are numismatically valuable, they can be a great way to add more diversity to your precious metals portfolio. On the flip side, the complexity and variety of pre-1933 U.S. gold coins can make them difficult for new or inexperienced investors to effectively trade.
If you’re interested in learning how to buy pre-1933 U.S. gold coins, you’ve come to the right place. On this page, learn more about how, where, and when to buy pre-1933 U.S. gold coins.
What is Pre-1933 U.S. Gold?
Pre-1933 U.S. gold describes gold coins minted in the United States prior to 1933, the year that President Franklin D. Roosevelt ended the gold standard in the country. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 6102 effectively ended the gold standard by prohibiting private gold ownership and removing gold from circulating coins.
With the exception of a handful of 1933 Saint Gaudens Double Eagles, all but one of which are illegal to own, all existing 1933-dated circulating gold coins were melted down by the U.S. Mint. This means that the last date you’ll find on U.S. circulating gold coins is 1932, hence the name of this investment type.
Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins are distinct from modern gold bullion coins, primarily because the age of pre-1933 U.S. gold coins gives them additional numismatic, or collectible, value. Pre-1933 U.S. gold coin values depend on a range of factors, including condition, mint mark, date, mintage, and the presence of rare errors. Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins vary greatly in value, with some coins selling for little more than melt value and others realizing hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.
Types of Pre-1933 U.S. Gold Coins
Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins feature a range of different designs and denominations. The most commonly traded pre-1933 U.S. gold coin denominations include $20, $10, and $5. Some of the most popular pre-1933 U.S. gold coins include:
- $20 Liberty Head Gold Double Eagle
- $20 Saint Gaudens Gold Double Eagle
- $10 Liberty Head Gold Eagle
- $10 Indian Head Gold Eagle
- $5 Liberty Head Gold Half Eagle
Each of these coins can vary in value, depending on their year, condition, the series’ popularity, mint mark, and more.
Buying Pre-1933 U.S. Gold
It’s easy to find and buy pre-1933 gold, and both online and local dealers sell gold coins minted prior to the end of the gold standard in 1933. Although pre-1933 U.S. gold coins are widely available and easy to buy, sell, or trade, we recommend that collectors take some time to familiarize themselves with how these coins are valued before buying.
Comparing Pre-1933 Gold Coins
What is the best pre-1933 U.S. gold coin to buy? The best pre ’33 gold coin to buy depends on your personal preferences, investing objectives, and budget. Smaller denomination U.S. gold coins are typically cheaper because they contain a smaller amount of gold, but you can also secure popular coins for low prices if you’re willing to compromise on your coin’s year and condition.
For most collectors, choosing a pre-1933 U.S. gold coin involves comparing designs, historical context, and prices. Because the U.S. gold series features a wide range of different strike types, designs, and artists, there’s quite a bit of diversity in the pre-1933 U.S. gold market.
Understanding Gold Coin Grading
When deciding which pre-1933 U.S. gold coin you’d like to buy, it is also important to think about coin grading. Like all numismatic coins, pre-1933 U.S. gold coins are largely valued based on two values: rarity and condition. The condition of a coin can radically impact its market value, with some mint-state coins selling for tens of thousands more than coins in average condition.
Coin grading is a complicated process that varies based on the type of coin, the metal, the strike type, and more. Some circulating U.S. gold coins are incuse coins, which further complicates the grading process. Familiarizing yourself with the basics of how coin grading works for pre-1933 gold pieces can help you make more informed buying and selling decisions.
Even if you don’t choose to become an expert on pre-1933 U.S. gold coin grading, you can learn a lot by just viewing pictures of PCGS or NGC-graded specimens from the coin series you enjoy. This practice can give you a rudimentary idea of what a high-grade and low-grade coin from that collection may look like.
About Key Date Pre-1933 U.S. Gold Coins
Much like other coins, pre-1933 U.S. gold coin series sometimes feature key dates, which tend to be the most valuable U.S. gold coins in the numismatic gold market.
A key date is a coin that is considered especially rare or important among other coins in its series. Key dates are usually limited in mintage and vary from series to series. Many coin grading and certification companies, including PCGS and NGC, track key dates and their market values for notable coin series.
Buyer beware, though! Key date pre-1933 U.S. gold coins can be extremely expensive. Some key date circulating U.S. coins are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, although exact values depend mostly on each key date coin’s condition.
Where to Buy Pre-1933 U.S. Gold
Once you know which pre-1933 U.S. gold coins you’d like to buy, it’s time to decide where to buy. Luckily, you have quite a few options. You can find pre-1933 U.S. gold coins locally at coin shops near you, and you can also buy pre-1933 U.S. gold coins online from dealers like Hero Bullion.
Below, we’ll take a look at some of the pros and cons of each approach to buying pre-1933 U.S. gold coins.
Buying Numismatic Gold Coins Online
Online dealers are one of the most convenient places to shop for pre-1933 U.S. gold coins. Most online coin and bullion dealers offer a range of pre-1933 United States gold coins, including Saint Gaudens Double Eagles, Liberty Head Double Eagles, and more.
Buying pre-1933 gold coins online is highly convenient, and online dealers tend to offer wider inventories and more competitive prices compared to many local coin and bullion shops. Two notable downsides of buying pre-1933 U.S. gold coins include shipping fees and the inability of collectors to physically view and assess the condition of their coins before purchase.
Buy Pre-1933 U.S. Gold Locally
Local dealers near you can also be a great source of pre-1933 U.S. gold coins. The biggest benefit of buying pre-1933 U.S. gold locally is that local shops allow investors to physically review their coins prior to purchase. Purchasing gold from local coin shops can help you avoid deceptive photography practices used to obfuscate the true condition of coins on some online marketplaces.
Your local gold dealer may also offer certain hard-to-find U.S. gold coins that you may have trouble locating at large online bullion dealers. However, many local coin shops may sell pre-1933 U.S. gold coins at higher premiums than normal, and buying precious metals locally is less convenient than investing online.
Overall, both online and local dealers can be fantastic sources of high-quality pre-1933 U.S. gold. It’s up to you to choose which source of pre-1933 U.S. gold is right for your investing journey!
Final Thoughts: How to Buy Pre-1933 U.S. Gold
Pre-1933 U.S. gold refers to gold coins produced by the U.S. Mint for circulation prior to the end of the gold standard under FDR in 1933. Investing in pre-1933 U.S. gold can be a great way to further diversify your precious metals portfolio, although investors should brush up on their numismatics and coin grading skills before buying these coins.
No matter where you choose to buy your pre-1933 U.S. gold coins, you can rely on Hero Bullion for industry-leading prices, fast shipping, and a range of educational tools to help empower investors like yourself.
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About The Author
Michael Roets
Michael Roets is a writer and journalist for Hero Bullion. His work explores precious metals news, guides, and commentary.