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What is a 1/2 troy ounce gold coin?
A 1/2 troy ounce gold coin contains 15.55 grams of fine gold, exactly half of a full troy ounce (31.103 grams). The term "1/2 troy ounce" refers to the net weight of pure gold, not to the total weight of the coin.
That distinction matters, because not every coin has the same gold content. Coins such as the Maple Leaf and Philharmonic are 24 carat (99.99%), while the Krugerrand and American Eagle are 22 carat and contain copper alongside the gold. A 22 carat coin therefore weighs more in gross terms, but the amount of fine gold is the same: 15.55 grams.
When making your choice, compare the net weight of fine gold, the gross weight, the gold content and the premium above the gold value.
Why buy a 1/2 troy ounce gold coin?
A half-ounce coin has a lower purchase price than a full ounce, with the same recognisability and coin status. You buy the same design, but tie up less capital per coin.
- Accessible entry: a well-known coin series at roughly half the price of a full troy ounce.
- Flexible when selling: with several smaller coins you can later sell part of your position, rather than one large unit.
- Suitable as a gift: a compact, recognisable coin with gold value.
- Recognised worldwide: struck by sovereign mints and tradable anywhere in the world.
The downside belongs here too, in fairness: the premium per gram on a half ounce is higher than on a 1 troy ounce gold coin or a gold bar. If you want as much gold as possible per euro, a larger format is more favourable. You choose the half ounce for the lower entry point and the flexibility, not for the lowest cost per gram.
Which coin series can you choose from?
The half ounce is available in nearly all internationally recognised investment series. At equal weight the amount of fine gold is identical; the difference lies in design, mint and gold content.
- Maple Leaf (Royal Canadian Mint): 99.99% pure gold and known for its advanced security features.
- Krugerrand (South African Mint): 22 carat with a copper alloy that makes the coin extra scratch-resistant.
- American Eagle (US Mint): 22 carat, an alloy of gold, silver and copper.
- Britannia (Royal Mint): 99.99% pure gold with modern security features.
- Philharmonic (Münze Österreich): 99.99% pure gold and recognisable by its European music design.
- Kangaroo (Perth Mint): 99.99% pure gold and a design that changes each year.
We also regularly sell the Lunar series and the gold Panda. If you would like to see all sizes and series side by side, view our full range of gold coins.
Premium and price of a half-ounce coin
The price of a 1/2 troy ounce gold coin consists of the gold value of 15.55 grams plus a premium for production, distribution and trade. Because the gold price moves continuously, our prices are updated automatically every three minutes in line with the current gold price.
For coin weights, a simple rule of thumb applies: the smaller the coin, the higher the premium per gram. This is because the fixed production costs are spread across less gold. A half ounce therefore has a higher premium per gram than a full ounce, but a lower one than a 1/4 or 1/10 ounce.
Among the fractional coins, the half ounce is therefore the most efficient choice. The exact ratio varies by series, condition and market moment, so always compare the current total price.
The half ounce compared with other coin formats
| Format | Fine gold | Premium per gram | Flexibility when selling |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 troy ounce | 3.11 grams | Highest | Very high, small units |
| 1/4 troy ounce | 7.78 grams | High | High |
| 1/2 troy ounce | 15.55 grams | Most favourable of the fractional coins | Good balance |
| 1 troy ounce | 31.10 grams | Lowest (of the coins) | Lower with a single coin |
A comparison based on weight alone is not enough: series, condition and availability also help determine the price. So do take a look at the separate pages for 1/4 troy ounce and 1/10 troy ounce gold coins.
A half ounce is mainly for those who look deliberately at how their gold is divided. You tie up less capital per coin than with a full ounce, and you can sell part of it later without having to offer a complete ounce. When doing so, look not only at the coin price, but also at the premium and the tradability of the series.
Rolf van Zanten - founder The Silver MountainSpecifications of 1/2 troy ounce gold coins
The net weight of fine gold is the same for every half ounce (15.55 grams), the other specifications vary by series. In the table below you can compare the best-known ½ troy ounce gold coins:
| Coin | Fine gold | Gold content | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Leaf 1/2 oz | 15.55 g | 99.99% (24 carat) | 25 mm |
| Krugerrand 1/2 oz | 15.55 g | 91.67% (22 carat) | 27 mm |
| American Eagle 1/2 oz | 15.55 g | 91.67% (22 carat) | 27 mm |
| Philharmoniker 1/2 oz | 15.55 g | 99.99% (24 carat) | 28 mm |
| Lunar 1/2 oz | 15.55 g | 99.99% (24 carat) | 25.1 mm |
For the 22 carat coins (Krugerrand, American Eagle), the gross weight is higher than 15.55 grams because of the copper alloy. The amount of fine gold is the same as in the 24 carat coins.
New or pre-owned 1/2 oz gold coin
Newly struck coins are suitable when you are looking for a specific year of issue or a flawless coin. The premium may be higher because production and issue costs are included in the price.
Pre-owned coins have previously been owned by someone else and are checked for authenticity, weight and content after we buy them in. They are often more sharply priced, while the gold value stays the same. For those who mainly look at the ratio between price and gold content, they are usually the most economical choice in this format.
Use the "pre-owned" filter or view the available pre-owned gold coins.
Buy-back guarantee and tradability
Our gold coins come with a buy-back guarantee. This means you sell your half-ounce gold coin back to us through our sister company Inkoop Edelmetaal. The bid price is linked to the current gold price and moves with the market in real time. Coins are bought in on the basis of their metal value. Because half-ounce coins from well-known mints are recognised worldwide, they are easy to trade, including to private buyers or abroad.
Buying a 1/2 troy ounce gold coin online at The Silver Mountain
A 1/2 oz gold coin is a relatively small purchase, and that gives you room in how you receive the coin. For individual coins, many buyers choose insured delivery or collection by appointment in Baarn or The Hague. If you are building up a larger holding, you can also have the coins stored on an allocated basis through Edelmetaal Beheer Nederland (EBN). If you want to sell later, our sister company Inkoop Edelmetaal takes the coin back at a bid price linked to the gold price.
The Silver Mountain has traded in physical precious metals since 2008 and is listed in the AFM register under licence number 12048860 for offering investment objects. You can read current customer experiences on Trustpilot, where our service is rated 4.8/5 based on 4.562 reviews.
Everything about premium, formats and tradability
Frequently asked questions about ordering 1/2 troy ounce gold coins
1. How much gold is in a 1/2 troy ounce gold coin?
A 1/2 troy ounce gold coin contains 15.55 grams of fine gold, exactly half of a full troy ounce. For 24 carat coins that is also the gross weight; for 22 carat coins such as the Krugerrand and American Eagle the gross weight is higher because of the copper alloy, while the amount of fine gold stays the same.
2. Why is the premium on a half ounce higher than on a full ounce?
The fixed production costs are spread across less gold for a smaller coin. As a result, the premium per gram on a half ounce is higher than on a full ounce, but lower than on a 1/4 or 1/10 ounce. Among the fractional coins, the half ounce is the most cost-efficient.
3. Is a 1/2 troy ounce gold coin exempt from VAT?
Yes, provided the coin meets the conditions for investment gold. It is not the weight that is decisive, but among other things the gold content, the year of issue, the status as legal tender and the ratio between the selling price and the gold value. Most common half-ounce investment coins meet these conditions.
4. Why does a half Krugerrand weigh more than 15.55 grams?
The Krugerrand is 22 carat and contains copper alongside the gold. To still contain 15.55 grams of fine gold, the coin weighs more in gross terms than a 24 carat coin of the same format. The extra weight is copper; the amount of pure gold is the same.
5. Which coin series are available in half ounce?
Nearly all well-known investment series are available in half ounce: Maple Leaf, Krugerrand, American Eagle, Britannia, Philharmonic and Kangaroo, along with the Lunar series and the gold Panda. The gold value is identical at equal weight; the design, mint and gold content vary by series.
6. Can I easily sell a half-ounce coin again?
Yes, half-ounce coins from well-known mints are easy to trade and recognised worldwide. Through our sister company Inkoop Edelmetaal, you sell the coin back at a bid price linked to the current gold price. The smaller format also makes it easy to sell part of your holding.
7. What does a 1/2 troy ounce gold coin cost?
The price of a 1/2 troy ounce gold coin consists of the current gold value of 15.55 grams of fine gold plus a premium for production, distribution and trade. Because the gold price moves continuously, our prices are updated every three minutes. The premium also varies by series, condition and availability, so you can see the exact daily price at each coin in the overview at the top of this page.
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