Palladium Coins
All you need to know about Palladium Coins
Palladium coins are nothing but coins manufactured out of precious metal – palladium. The metal is rare and palladium coins are internationally recognized under the status of ISO 4217. However, this is not only the single reason behind its popularity and fame. It has also emerged as a renowned investment option.
Palladium coins are very popular today. Small and large precious metals investors include palladium coins in their investment portfolio.
You can find more background information about palladium and palladium coins on Wikipedia. And there is also useful Palladium discussion group on Kitcomm.
History of Palladium coins
The African country – Sierra Leone was the first country to launch palladium coins officially in the year 1966 (5th Anniversary of Independence). Soon after it, Tonga which is a South Pacific country also started issuing palladium bullion coins from the year 1967 (Coronation of King Tupou IV). This led to an emergence of a new trend, and many countries followed the trend. In the 1980s many countries issued their own coins from palladium metal.
In 1986-1989 France minted a series of four coins: Statue of Liberty (1986), La Fayette (1987), Fraternity (1988) and Human Rights (1989).
Switzerland issued 50 Francs “Wilhelm Tell” coins in 1989-1990.
Isle of Man minted 1 Crown “United States Constitution” and “America´s Cup: Boat Kookaburra” in 1987.
Russia started pruducing 25 Roubles palladium coins from 1988 (Vladimir), followed by Ivan III (1989), Peter the Great (1990), Abolition of Serfdom (1991), Catherine the Great (1992), Musorgsky (1993), Rublev Andrej (1994), Alexander Nevsky (1995), Ship St. Peter and Ship St. Paul (1990), Three Saints Harbour and Novo Archangelsk (1991), Ship Nadyezhda and Ship Neva (1993), Ship Mirny and Ship Vostok (1994) and long Ballerina serie (1989-1995).

Sierra Leone 1966 Palladium coins
Portugal issued 100 and 200 Escudos palladium coins in 1987-2000.
Today, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Soviet Union, Russia, Australia, China and Slovakia have issued their own versions of palladium coins. In total 92 types of palladium coins have been created till date. You can find complete list of all Palladium coins issued in 1966-2010 with their images here.
The palladium metal is rare and the almost 80% of the production is dominated by Russia and South Africa. The lowest mintage has been done by Canada. It produced only 1200 palladium coins that were made available in 4 versions representing 4 seasons.
Types of Palladium bullion coins
You can buy not only coins made from pure palladium metals. There are also Palladium Bimetal Coins made from palladium and gold (Slovakia 10000 Korun “10 Years of Republic” 2003 and “European Union” 2004, Isle of Man 1/2 Crown “200 Years of Palladium”, 2004) and Palladium Quadmetal Coins made from palladium, gold, platinum and silver issued in British Virgin Islands: 1 Royal “Four Elements/Sailing Ship”, 2007 (999 minted only).

Tonga 1967 Palladium Coin
Palladium coins as an investment
More and more people all across the world are purchasing palladium coins (and palladium bars) as an investment. Palladium coins contain around 92% to 99% pure palladium and therefore, palladium coins are as valuable as the metal itself. Some companies have also manufactured special type of palladium coins that does not tarnish when brought in contact with air.
Palladium coins are light in weight and the investor has the advantage of cheaper shipping costs.
Palladium coins can be very scarce to find. Many coins have mintage few hundreds only.
The most popular Palladium bullion coins
Though Palladium coins are not as popular as gold and silver coins, but they have been in circulation for almost more than 40 years. In the late 2000, palladium metal reached a soaring price of $1100 per ounce and most of the investors sold their coins to make a handsome amount of money. Most of the palladium bullion coins sold during that time were melted and used for industrial purpose. Some palladium coins that survived this melting can be found in the secondary market.

Palladium Coins: Palladium Maple Leaf Bullion Coins
Today, the most popular coin traceable is the Palladium Maple Leafs manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint in the year 2005-2007 and since 2009. There is a symbol of maple leaf on one side of the coin and a picture of Queen Elizabeth on the other. There is only size of this coin. It has a weight of 1 ounce and is 99.95% pure. So it is assured that coin is a safe investment. Palladium Maple Leaf is a good addition to your portfolio of Silver Maple Leaf coins, Gold Maple Leaf coins and Platinum Maple Leaf coins.
Palladium Maple Leaf Coins are very liquid so you can sell them any time. And it is better to invest in Palladium Maple Leaf Coins than in 1-oz Credit Suisse palladium bars or 1-oz PAMP palladium bars.
Palladium Saint Gaudens are the others famous palladium coins.
There is a pentagon shaped palladium coin also available. It was manufactured by Slovakia in the year 2004 and is a mixture of palladium and gold.
Buy Palladium bullion coins online
It is impossible to find palladium bullion coins in the local stores due to its limited supply. Hence, the best way to buy palladium coins is online. There are several renowned firms selling palladium coins. Known dealers like eBay and Amazon also deal in it. Hence you need not worry for the quality and payment options.

Bimetal Slowakei 2004 Pentagon Palladium coin
