Gold coins for collecting and investing are gold pieces that contain at least 90 percent of pure gold. During recent years with gold prices constantly on the rise gold coin collecting and gold investing has increased in popularity. Buying gold coins is a great way to invest in gold and to own something tangible and beautiful into the bargain. For those of you starting out here is a list of some of the most famous collectable gold bullion coins:

The American Gold Eagle:
American eagles were first issued in the late 18th century. The eagle coin had a face value of 10 dollars and the double eagle of 20 dollars. Half and quarter eagles were also minted. When the US mint began to issue bullion coins in 1986 they continued with the same design.
Obverse: Standing Liberty / Reverse: Eagle
Diameter: 32.7 mm / Weight: 34.05gms
Gold: .9167 / Gold content: 31.104 g / 1 oz

The Canadian Maple Leaf
Canada was the first country to issue a "pure" gold bullion coin, the Maple Leaf. First issued in 1979 in a 1 ounce version of .999 fineness. Later the fineness was increased to .9999 and the bullion was made available in six varying sizes from 1 ounce to 1/20th ounce.
Obverse: Elizabeth II / Reverse: Maple leaf
Diameter: 30 mm / Weight: 31.15 g
Gold: .9999 / Gold content: 31.104 g / 1 oz

Australian Gold Kangaroo (Nugget)
Australian bullion 1 ounce coin is known as the 'Kangaroo'. The first issues 1986-89 featured gold nuggets on the reverse so they are also known as the 'Nugget'
Obverse: Elizabeth II / Reverse: Kangaroo
Diameter: 32.1 mm / Weight: 31.16 g
Gold: .9999 / Gold content: 31.104 g / 1 oz

Austrian Vienna Gold Philharmonic
The Vienna Philharmonic coin is issued every year in four different face values, sizes and weights. According to the World Gold Council, it was the most-common-selling gold coin worldwide in 1992, 1995 and 1996. Made by PAMP Suisse the Philharmonic is sold in 1/10oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2oz and 1oz sizes.
Obverse: The great organ in the Golden Hall in Vienna’s Musikverein.
Reverse: Musical instruments representing the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Diameter: 37mm / Weight: 31.15gms
Gold: 999.9 / Gold content: 31.104gms / 1 oz

Chinese Gold Panda
The Chinese Gold Panda was introduced the official mint of the People’s Republic of China in 1982. The panda design changes every year (with a single exception) and the gold Panda coins come in different sizes and denominations, ranging from 1/20 troy oz. to 1 troy oz. and larger.
Obverse: Panda / Reverse: Hall of Prayer
Diameter: 32mm / Weight: 31.15gms
Gold: .999 / Gold Content: 31.104gms / 1 oz

Mexican Gold Centenario
The Centenario gold bullion coin was first minted in 1921. The 1821 on the lower left commemorates the year of Mexico’s independence. The date on the right indicates year of mintage, with the 1921 and 1931 mintages being quite valuable. Production restarted in 1943 and coins minted between 1949 and 1972 are usually marked “1947″.
Obverse: The Angel of Independence ( El Angel de la Independencia )
Reverse: Mexican Coat of Arms with Eagle
Diameter: 37mm / Weight: 37.5gms
Gold: .900