The 2016 presidential campaign was one for the books. An untested outsider who seemed to defy all conventional wisdom upset a well-known veteran backed by a massive party machine. And whether you agree with the outcome or not, you have to admit that the race was memorable.
An occasion that monumental calls for a commemorative coin to reflect the history of this campaign.
The nation of Equatorial Guinea has released a 1 troy ounce 99.99% pure gold Donald Trump inaugural commemorative coin that’s 65mm in diameter, nearly twice as large (and half as thick) as an American Gold Eagle. It’s a proof-quality coin made with special planchets and dies at the BH Mayer Mint in Germany. The face of the coin portrays the president in profile with an American flag in the background. The coin’s reverse has the Republican Party elephant along with coin details.
These Trump commemorative coins are legal tender of Equatorial Guinea and carry a value of 5,000 CFA francs, a currency pegged to the euro and guaranteed by the French treasury.
What Do You Get for $3000?
Unlike many so-called commemorative coins that are properly called medals, the Equatorial Guinean 5,000-franc coin is legal tender. At current exchange rates, its face value is about $8.50 US or 7.6 euros. That’s not unusual in itself---U.S. 1 oz. gold American Eagles only have a face value of $50 and sell for over $1,500. The value comes from their gold content and marketability as collectibles.
The Equatorial Guinean coin contains a full ounce of gold, worth about $1,215 at current prices. Whether it’s worth the considerable premium being asked is a matter of personal opinion. It’s unquestionably unique, both in its size and country of issue, and only 500 coins are being made, so this could be a situation where collectors and presidential memorabilia enthusiasts push the value above the current price.
A Word of Caution
The market is flooded with Trump commemoratives, some of which are deceptively marketed. These include coins made of base metals with a microscopically thin coat of silver or gold. They are advertised as gold or silver plated, but the amount of precious metal has a negligible value compared to the prices asked. They’re hyped as collectibles that will soar in value over time, an opinion not shared by most coin experts.
To Buy or Not to Buy?
Buying collectible coins is like buying fine art or other collectible items. You can buy because you expect its value to increase, or simply because you like it, regardless of price. Lucky collectors score on both counts.
If you’re interested in bringing “The Donald” into your collection, the Equatorial Guinean coins are available from online sellers including govmint.com and moderncoinmart.com. Details are available on their sites. The Great American Coin Company offers this as information only and does not endorse these or any other sources—other than ourselves, of course.
For more information about coin collecting, its joys and its pitfalls, we invite you to visit The Great American Coin Company blog, where you’ll find dozens of articles about coins and currency.
