Melt value
The live value of the fine gold contained in the selected coin or bar, before any premium.
LIVE GOLD VALUATION TOOLS
Gold Bar & Coin Calculator
Calculate melt value, indicative premiums and buyer context for popular gold coins, standard bars, historic U.S. gold or a custom bullion item.
40+ bullion productsSeven currencies
LIVE GOLD REFERENCELoading…USD per troy ounce
PRICE PER GRAMN/A
Waiting for live priceCALCULATE YOUR BULLION
One live price. Four ways to value gold coins and bars.
LIVE FX RATE1 USD = 1 USD
SELECT BULLION
Choose a coin or bar
Gross weight33.931 g
Purity91.67%
Reference premium3–8%
22K alloy · 1 troy oz fine gold. Specifications are reference values; verify the exact year, mint and product before transacting.
QUICK REFERENCE
Gold value by product
Indicative pure-metal value at the current spot price. Retail prices include premium; buyer offers may be lower.
| Product | Face value | Fine gold | Melt value | Premium range | Retail estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle · 1 oz | $50.00 | 31.1045 g | N/A | 3–8% | N/A |
| American Gold Buffalo · 1 oz | $50.00 | 31.1049 g | N/A | 3–8% | N/A |
| Canadian Gold Maple Leaf · 1 oz | $50.00 | 31.1069 g | N/A | 2–6% | N/A |
| British Gold Britannia · 1 oz | $100.00 | 31.1004 g | N/A | 2–6% | N/A |
| South African Krugerrand · 1 oz | — | 31.1036 g | N/A | 2–5% | N/A |
| Austrian Gold Philharmonic · 1 oz | $100.00 | 31.1004 g | N/A | 2–6% | N/A |
| Chinese Gold Panda · 30g | $500.00 | 29.97 g | N/A | 4–10% | N/A |
| Credit Suisse Bar · 1 oz | — | 31.1004 g | N/A | 2–7% | N/A |
| Credit Suisse Bar · 10 oz | — | 311.0037 g | N/A | 1.5–4% | N/A |
| 1 kg Gold Bar · generic | — | 999.9 g | N/A | 0.8–3% | N/A |
PRICE STRUCTURE
Melt value vs. market price
Understand what you are paying above gold content.
Retail premium
The amount above melt that covers fabrication, mint distribution, dealer costs and product demand. Smaller items usually carry a higher percentage premium.
Collectible value
Rarity, condition, year and grading can add numismatic value that this bullion calculator does not estimate.
Dealer spread
The gap between what a dealer sells for and buys back for. Typical round-trip costs can be 5–15% for coins and 2–8% for bars.
Spot priceN/A
PremiumN/A
TaxN/A
U.S. PURCHASE PLANNING
Sales tax estimator by state
Use the statewide general rate as a starting point, then check bullion exemptions and local rules.
Estimated tax $62.50Estimated total $1,062.50
Check before buying. This starts with the statewide general rate. Local rates, bullion exemptions, product eligibility and transaction thresholds can change the actual tax.
Review 2026 state and local rate data ↗HISTORIC U.S. GOLD
Pre 1933 U.S. gold coins
Historic coins with 90% gold content. Melt value is the floor; numismatic value can be much higher.
| Coin | Years | Face value | Fine gold | Melt value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle | 1849–1907 | $20.00 | 0.9675 oz t | N/A | Large classic U.S. gold coin |
| $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle | 1907–1933 | $20.00 | 0.9675 oz t | N/A | Widely collected Saint-Gaudens design |
| $10 Liberty Head Eagle | 1838–1907 | $10.00 | 0.48375 oz t | N/A | Classic Liberty Head eagle |
| $10 Indian Head Eagle | 1907–1933 | $10.00 | 0.48375 oz t | N/A | Incuse-style Indian Head design |
| $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle | 1839–1908 | $5.00 | 0.24187 oz t | N/A | Common historic half eagle type |
| $5 Indian Head Half Eagle | 1908–1929 | $5.00 | 0.24187 oz t | N/A | Incuse Indian Head half eagle |
| $3 Princess | 1854–1889 | $3.00 | 0.14512 oz t | N/A | Scarcer denomination with collector demand |
| $2.50 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle | 1840–1907 | $2.50 | 0.12094 oz t | N/A | Compact Liberty Head quarter eagle |
| $2.50 Indian Head Quarter Eagle | 1908–1929 | $2.50 | 0.12094 oz t | N/A | Popular incuse quarter eagle |
| $1 Gold Dollar | 1849–1889 | $1.00 | 0.04837 oz t | N/A | Smallest regular U.S. gold denomination |
Numismatic warning: Date, mint mark, condition and rarity can make these coins worth substantially more than melt value. A common 1904 $20 Liberty in circulated condition may trade near melt, while a rare 1927-D Saint-Gaudens in MS-65 can be worth 10×–100× melt. This calculator shows melt value only.
BULLION BUYING GUIDE
Before you buy gold bullion
A practical starting point for understanding premiums, purity and dealer selection.
What is a bullion premium?
A bullion premium is the amount paid above the fine-gold melt value. It covers fabrication, mint distribution, dealer operating costs, payment risk and current product demand.
Why are smaller coins more expensive per ounce?
Minting, packaging and distribution costs do not fall in direct proportion to gold weight. Those fixed costs create a higher percentage premium on one-gram bars and fractional coins.
Should I buy coins or bars?
Coins are widely recognized and easy to divide across smaller sales, while bars usually carry lower premiums at larger sizes. The better format depends on budget, storage and likely resale needs.
What is the difference between 22K and 24K bullion?
Twenty-four-karat bullion is nearly pure gold. Twenty-two-karat coins add strengthening metals, but a one-ounce Eagle or Krugerrand still contains a full troy ounce of fine gold.
How do I avoid counterfeit gold?
Buy from established dealers, confirm weight and dimensions, inspect security features and keep original assay packaging. High-value or secondary-market pieces should be tested with professional equipment.
What is a graded coin?
A graded coin has been authenticated and assigned a condition grade by a specialist service. Its market value can include scarcity and condition, so melt value alone may be an incomplete reference.
When should I buy — now or wait?
No calculator can identify a guaranteed best entry point. Buyers often reduce timing risk by planning a budget, comparing premiums and purchasing in stages rather than relying on one price forecast.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Gold coin & bar calculator FAQ
Clear answers about melt value, bullion premiums, taxes and selling gold coins or bars.
Why does a 1 oz Gold Eagle weigh more than one ounce?
It contains one troy ounce of fine gold plus silver and copper alloy. The extra alloy raises gross weight to about 33.931 grams without changing the stated fine-gold content.
Are the displayed premiums guaranteed?
No. Premium ranges are educational references. Actual dealer prices change with inventory, payment method, order size, location, delivery and product availability.
Does the calculator include sales tax or shipping?
The main melt and retail estimates exclude tax, shipping, insurance and storage. Use the separate state estimator as a starting point and confirm the final dealer invoice.
What is the difference between melt value and market value?
Melt value reflects fine-gold content. Market value can also include fabrication premium, brand, scarcity, condition, grading and collector demand.
Should I buy graded or ungraded coins?
Bullion buyers often prefer lower-premium ungraded coins, while collectors may value authenticated grade and rarity. Compare the full premium with your reason for owning the coin.
Why are gold bars cheaper than coins?
Bars generally require less detailed minting and can spread production costs across more gold. Larger bars therefore tend to carry lower percentage premiums than small coins.
Can I sell my bullion back to a dealer?
Many established dealers publish buyback prices, but the offer may be below their retail price. Compare bids, shipping terms, testing rules and settlement times before selling.
What is the best gold bar brand?
Recognized refiners and sovereign mints can improve resale familiarity, but authenticity, assay documentation, condition and total premium matter more than one universal brand ranking.