Gold Coins- Basics
The only gold coins worth collecting for their pure currency value are Krugerrands, Sovereigns and American Eagles. Joe Public will have heard of these, or at least respect their country of issue.
Any weird German coin is likely a fake, or for the connoisseur. If you want to sell your gold coins again easily, buy from a trustworthy source, and buy a popular 'brand'.
Some of the fakes may have the sales description 'gold-plated' (or similar in German), shown somewhere in the small print. They may also have the word "Gold" in the heading surrounded by an asterisk at each side. This is supposed to indicate that the word is not intended to be taken literally. In reality, it's a lie.
If you are not sure about the seller, read the small print. If the item looks too cheap, or the offer looks too good to be true, then it probably is.
Krugerrands were minted with the intention of supplying a piece of gold with a known weight (1 ounce)and value. This was, and still is, their chief selling point. Collectors seeking aesthetically pleasing coins would be better looking at British gold sovereigns, or some of the newer bullion coins, like the Manx Angel (great name!)
All "Investment Gold", including krugerrands, was exempt from VAT in the entire European Union, from 1st January 2000.
Gold bullion prices change constantly.
Expect to be able to buy a single krugerrand for about 7% premium, and perhaps 4 to 5% for quantity. Premiums may vary as most owners will not sell when they believe gold prices are low, but may be keener to sell when gold goes higher.
Beware gold coins which are just gold-plated; 1, 2, 5 Marks and 1, 2, 3, 10 Reichspfennig
Many of the fake items on eBay are one or more of the above, all of which are only base metal.
Gold 1, 2 Euros; These are €2 and €1 coins which have been gold plated.
Take one common Euro coin, worth 1 Euro (duh). Electroplate it in gold. Still only worth 1 Euro. Sell it for a tenner, or more. A nice little markup.
The gold plating on these items is likely very thin, and of poor quality, so it will wear off. They're rubbish.
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