Some examples of 24k gold coins include Canada’s Gold Maple Leaf, Austria’s Gold Philharmonic, and the United States American Gold Buffalo, amongst others. A 24-karat (24K) gold coin is 99.99% pure gold, making it one of the purest forms of gold. On the other hand, 22-karat (22K) gold coins are composed of just 91.67% gold alloyed with 5% silver, 2% copper, and 1.3% zinc. Some examples of 22-karat gold coins include South African Gold Krugerrands, British Gold Sovereigns, some vintage U.S. gold coins, and the American Gold Eagle.
Although 24k gold coins are considered one of the purest forms of gold, they are softer and more delicate than 22k gold coins which are fortified with copper and a trace of silver and zinc to make them stronger and more durable. As a result, 24k gold coins can be more prone to dings and other types of damage. In summary, the 24-karat gold coin is one of the purest forms of gold available for retail purchase.