Gold Coin Sizes and Weights
Most gold bullion coins come in four standard sizes: one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce and one-tenth ounce, each stated in troy ounces of pure gold. The one-ounce coin is the market standard and usually has the lowest premium per ounce. A coin's total weight can exceed its gold content when it is struck in 22-karat alloy.
The Standard Size Ladder
The four-step ladder of 1, 1/2, 1/4 and 1/10 troy ounce is used by most major sovereign mints for their flagship gold coins. Some mints add smaller or larger sizes:
- 1/20 oz and 1/25 oz: issued by mints such as the Royal Canadian Mint (1/20 oz Maple Leaf) and the Austrian Mint (1/25 oz Philharmonic).
- Gram sizes: some mints sell small gram-denominated coins, sometimes in breakable multi-coin cards.
- 2 oz, 10 oz and 1 kilogram: the Perth Mint issues large-format Kangaroo coins, and other mints occasionally strike oversized pieces.
Sizes outside the standard ladder exist, but the four main sizes are the most widely recognized when you sell.
Fine Weight vs Gross Weight
Every bullion coin has two weights. Fine weight is the pure gold it contains, which is what the size label refers to. Gross weight is the coin's total weight, including any alloy. For .9999-fine coins the two are almost identical. For 22-karat coins (.9167 fine), the gross weight is about 9% higher because copper and sometimes silver make up the remaining 1/12 of the coin. The troy ounce guide and our page on gold purity and karats explain the math.
Specifications for Popular One-Ounce Coins
| Coin | Fineness | Approx. gross weight (1 oz) | Face value (1 oz) | Standard sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle | .9167 (22k) | 33.93 g | 50 U.S. dollars | 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/10 oz |
| American Gold Buffalo | .9999 | 31.11 g | 50 U.S. dollars | 1 oz (fractions issued only briefly) |
| Canadian Gold Maple Leaf | .9999 | 31.11 g | 50 Canadian dollars | 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/10, 1/20 oz |
| South African Krugerrand | .9167 (22k) | 33.93 g | None stated | 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/10 oz |
| British Gold Britannia | .9999 | 31.10 g | 100 British pounds | 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/10 oz |
| Austrian Philharmonic | .9999 | 31.10 g | 100 euros | 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/10, 1/25 oz |
Figures are taken from or consistent with the issuing mints' published specifications; check the mint's website for exact tolerances and any product changes. Our individual guides, such as American Gold Eagle and American Gold Buffalo, have fuller detail.
Fractional American Gold Eagle denominations
The U.S. Mint's Gold Eagle carries nominal face values that step down with size: 50 dollars for one ounce, 25 for one-half, 10 for one-quarter and 5 for one-tenth. These figures are far below the metal value and have no practical effect on price. Our page on legal tender bullion coins explains why.
Historic Gold Coin Weights
Older circulating gold coins were made to different standards that don't match the modern ounce ladder:
- British Sovereign: 22-karat, about 7.99 grams gross, containing roughly 0.2354 troy ounces of gold.
- U.S. pre-1933 gold coins: the 20-dollar Double Eagle contains about 0.9675 troy ounces of gold in a .900-fine alloy.
These coins often trade with collector premiums, so their prices aren't purely metal-based. See numismatic vs bullion for how that works.
Choosing a Size
One-ounce coins
The lowest premium per ounce among coins, the easiest to price, and the most liquid when selling. The trade-off is that each unit represents a large amount of money, so you can't sell a small portion of a single coin.
Fractional coins
Higher premiums per ounce because minting costs are spread over less gold, but smaller units that may be easier to sell gradually or give as gifts. Our guide to fractional gold coins compares them in detail.
A mixed approach
Some buyers hold mostly one-ounce coins or bars for cost efficiency and a smaller number of fractional coins for flexibility. There's no single right mix; it depends on your goals, which a licensed financial professional can help you think through.
Sizes and Retirement Accounts
Coin size doesn't affect eligibility. A one-tenth-ounce Gold Eagle is as eligible as a one-ounce Gold Eagle, and a fractional Krugerrand is no more eligible than a full one. What matters is fineness, the American Eagle exception, and your custodian's approved list. Goldco, a precious metals company, lists American Gold Eagles, Gold Buffalos and Gold Maple Leafs among its gold coins; see gold coins available through Goldco.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my one-ounce Gold Eagle weigh more than an ounce?
It's 22-karat alloy. It contains one troy ounce of gold plus copper and silver, bringing the total to about 33.93 grams.
What is the smallest common gold coin?
The one-tenth-ounce coin is the smallest widely traded size, though 1/20 oz, 1/25 oz and gram-sized coins also exist.
Are fractional coins easier to sell?
They can be easier to sell in small amounts, but they usually carry higher premiums both when buying and in dealer bids.