What are bullion coins?

Key Takeaways 1 Bullion coins are physical coins made of precious metals. 2 The most common types are made of gold and silver, although platinum and palladium are also sometimes used. 3 While some investors purchase bullion coins as gifts or collectible items, others invest in them for their perceived value as a hedge against inflation.

What are bulk coins?

DEFINITION of 'Bullion Coins'. Bullion coins are coins made from precious metals with a defined weight and content that are generally used for investment purposes. Bullion itself is the term for bulk precious metal that is cast as bars with a specified weight. Bullion coins are basically a smaller, more affordable version of bullion.

What is a billon coin?

Billon / ˈbɪlən / is an alloy of a precious metal (most commonly silver, but also gold) with a majority base metal content (such as copper ). It is used chiefly for making coins, medals, and token coins . The word comes from the French bille, which means "log". The use of billon coins dates from ancient Greece and continued through the Middle Ages.

What is the American Eagle bullion coin program?

The American Eagle Bullion Coin Program was launched in 1986 with the sale of American Eagle Gold and Silver Bullion Coins. Platinum was added to the American Eagle Bullion Coin family in 1997 and palladium in 2017.