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What a Krugerrand is
The Krugerrand is a South African gold bullion coin first struck in 1967. The one-ounce coin is 22 karat and contains a full troy ounce of gold.
The Krugerrand is the coin that taught much of the public to buy gold by the ounce.
South Africa first struck it in 1967. The one-ounce version is 22 karat and contains 1.000 troy ounce of fine gold. Extra alloy makes it harder than a 24k bar, which was the point for a coin people might actually carry.
Why it mattered
Before the Maple (1979) and the American Gold Eagle (1986), the Krugerrand was the default bullion coin in a lot of the world. US import politics in the 1980s complicated that story. The coin never stopped being gold.
At a US shop today
Recognized on sight. Bid as a one-ounce gold coin, often a little behind an Eagle or a Maple because US retail prefers those two. Still honest metal. Fractionals — 1/2, 1/4, 1/10 — exist and cost more premium per ounce.
What a Gold Eagle is made of. Maple. Sovereign. Government vs generic.
Fakes exist. Weight and diameter still do most of the work. Counterfeits.
Continue in the coin and money library. Related visitor guides: for shop visitors.
Extra pad history for the Krugerrand
South Africa first struck the Krugerrand in 1967. It taught much of the public to buy gold by the ounce before the Maple (1979) and the American Gold Eagle (1986). The one-ounce version is 22 karat and contains 1.000 troy ounce of fine gold. Extra alloy makes it harder than a 24k bar, which was the point for a coin people might actually carry.
US import politics in the 1980s complicated the story. The coin never stopped being gold. Fractionals — 1/2, 1/4, 1/10 — exist and cost more premium per ounce. Fakes exist. Weight and diameter still do most of the work.
What a US shop does today
Recognized on sight. Bid as a one-ounce gold coin, often a little behind an Eagle or a Maple because US retail prefers those two. Still honest metal. Government vs generic. Sovereigns are a smaller British cousin. Do not mix the specs.
We still test when the look is off. Counterfeits. Do not clean a circulated Krugerrand to “make it bright.” Don’t clean. If it is in jewelry, say so. A bezel is extra weight and a details problem if you wanted a collector coin. Most Krugerrands are bullion, not a date hunt.
People also ask
Is a Krugerrand less than an ounce because it is 22k? No. Extra weight, full ounce of gold.
Why do US shops prefer Eagles? Local demand. Not a purity insult.
Are old 1970s Krugerrands rare? Usually no. They are early bullion.
Can I spend one in South Africa as money? Here it is gold. Face is not the bid.
Live melt (1 oz gold Krugerrand and fractions): search Krugerrand on Melt Prices. Metal only — not a shop premium.