When a dealer says a bar is from a recognised refiner, or that a coin is from a major mint, that recognition has practical value. It is what lets any dealer anywhere price the item quickly without testing it.
Here is who the main producers are and what they are known for.
Government mints
These are national institutions issuing legal tender bullion coins, guaranteed by the state for weight and purity.
The Royal Mint, United Kingdom. Over a thousand years old and among the oldest continuously operating institutions of its kind. Issues the Britannia in gold and silver. Modern Britannias carry surface security features designed to make counterfeiting substantially harder.
The Royal Canadian Mint. Issues the Maple Leaf, produced to 9999 fineness in gold and silver, among the purest bullion coins available anywhere. Widely traded and recognised globally.
The United States Mint. Issues the American Eagle in gold and silver, the most widely held bullion coin in the world, and the American Buffalo, the first 24 carat gold coin issued by the United States.
The Perth Mint, Australia. Issues the Kangaroo series with an annually changing reverse design, and produces well regarded minted bars in gold and silver.
The Austrian Mint. Issues the Philharmonic, Europe's most traded silver bullion coin, with an orchestral design that has run largely unchanged for decades.
The South African Mint. Produces the Krugerrand, the coin that effectively created the modern bullion market, now issued in silver as well as gold.
New Zealand Mint. Produces the Silver Fern round among other issues, and is the local option for buyers who want a New Zealand connection.
Private mints and refiners
These produce bars and rounds rather than legal tender coins. The good ones are as trusted as government mints for bullion purposes, and their products move easily through the dealer network.
Germania Mint produces gold and silver bars known for design quality and finish.
Scottsdale Mint produces silver bars in a range of sizes with a distinctive style.
Cast bars are also produced by a range of refiners, and here the name matters most, since a cast bar has fewer distinguishing features than a struck coin.
Why the name matters
Three practical reasons.
Resale speed. A dealer who recognises the producer can price quickly. An unfamiliar producer means verification, which costs time and can widen the spread you are offered.
Consistency. Established mints hold tight tolerances on weight and purity. That consistency is exactly what makes weight and dimension checks a useful authenticity test, since a genuine piece matches published specifications precisely.
Security features. Some mints build anti counterfeiting measures into their products, which adds a layer of protection.
Our guide to spotting fake bullion covers verification in more detail.
Does the mint change the value
For bullion purposes, only marginally. An ounce of 999 silver is an ounce of 999 silver regardless of who struck it, and dealers price primarily on metal content.
Where the mint matters is at the edges. Recognised producers attract tighter spreads and sell faster. Obscure producers can attract caution. And specific issues occasionally develop collector interest, which is a separate market from bullion and much less liquid.
Frequently asked questions
Which mint makes the purest gold coins?
Several mints produce 9999 fine gold, including the Royal Canadian Mint, the Royal Mint and the United States Mint.
Does it matter which mint my bullion comes from?
For metal content, no. For ease of resale, yes. Recognised producers sell faster and generally attract tighter spreads.
What is the most widely traded bullion coin?
The American Silver Eagle is the most widely held silver bullion coin. In gold, the Krugerrand, Maple Leaf and Eagle are all heavily traded.
Are private mint bars as good as government coins?
For metal content, yes, provided the refiner is recognised. Government coins carry sovereign backing, which supports slightly easier resale.
Is there a New Zealand mint?
Yes. New Zealand Mint produces bullion including the Silver Fern round.
Browse by mint
We stock products from the major sovereign mints and recognised private refiners. See the range or visit the showroom at 124 Peterborough Street, Christchurch.