There are limited units and they have a face value of 1.5 euros. Although we already anticipate that if you manage to get hold of one of these exclusive coins, you better ask for something else, because its real value goes further. The Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre-Real Casa de la Moneda minted this series of 1.5 euro gold coins and with the symbol of the Iberian lynx as the main image.
We are not dealing with standard euro coins, but with the first bullion coins in Spain. Here we explain what these types of coins consist of, what can be done with them and how the manufacturing process has been.
A lynx and 31 grams of gold
The coin was put into circulation at the end of 2021 and has been minted by the Royal Mint. This is a circular fine gold coin weighing one troy ounce, which is equivalent to 31.1034768 grams. It is a British imperial unit of measurement that derives from the Roman monetary system.
It has a diameter of 37 mm and the value of 1.5 euros is perceived on the face, together with the image of the head of an Iberian lynx, the legend indicating the animal and a border of pine nuts. It is a 999.9 “four nines” gold coin and precisely based on gold is how we can calculate its real value.
The price of sale to the public is defined “by the Gold Spot price REUTERS XAU=, plus a margin of 10%”. This is, predictably more than the cost of 1.5 euros than the mark of the coin itself. To this we must add the possible value as a collector’s item, since the number of minted coins is limited.
The obverse of the coin reproduces legends of a real of eight, with two hemispheres under a royal crown, flanked by the Pillars of Hercules and the motto “Plus Ultra”. The legend “Felipe VI Rey de España” also appears at the top.
What are bullion coins and what are they for?
With the minting of the 1.5 euro coin, the FNMT ventures into the market of investment coins or bullion coins, as these types of coins are called, which are not intended to be used to buy goods, but rather as a way to store value. They are therefore a collector’s item, store value and investment when exchanged with the right buyers.
The Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (FNMT) expects to obtain a good result with these exclusive coins. Initially, the face value has been paid to the Public Treasury and they have been made available to the population, being able to acquire through contracted entities. In addition to auctions and one-off sales, these organizations and distributors export them to collectors around the world.
The 1.5 euro coin is only the first in an annual series of gold bullion coins, which will gradually be made available to collectors and interested parties. At the end of 2022 and after the success of the lynx coin, the Mint minted a second print run of 15,000 unitsthis time dedicated to the bull and also with a value of 1.5 euros.
The term bullion refers to ingot and are usually coins designed by private companies as part of unique collections. What is striking is that the Royal Mint has decided to participate, joining countries like the United States, Australia or South Africa, which also have their own bullion coins, mainly based on gold and silver.
To be considered a bullion coin, they must be of a law equal to or greater than 900 thousandths, have been minted after from the year 1800 and be included in the Official Journal of the European Union. Other examples of these exclusive coins include the Krugerrand, which incorporates a South African antelope as a symbol; the 22-carat American Eagle; the American Buffalo, issued in 2006; the Australian Kangaroo or the Austrian Philharmonic, created in 1989, available in an ounce and a quarter ounce and with musical instruments to pay homage to the Vienna Philharmonic.
More information | National Factory of Coin and Stamp
