China's Largest Gold Coin
China recently auctioned the largest gold coin the country has ever minted. In the year 2000 when it was produced, it held the distinction of being the largest gold coin in the world.
The coin sold for about $1.18 million (7.70 million yuan) at an auction conducted by China Guardian Auctions on May 14, 2011 in Beijing.
The “2000 Millennium Commemorative Gold Coin” has a face value of 30,000 yuan. The coin weighs 10 kilograms (22 pounds) and is 99.99 percent pure gold.
A total of 20 of these coins were minted with this coin being Number 17.
World's Largest Gold Coin
While it may have been the largest gold coin in the world in 2000, it pales in comparison to the current record holder.
According to Guinness World Records, the largest gold coin in the world is now a coin minted by the Royal Canadian Mint in the year 2007. The legal-tender “Maple Leaf” coin has a purity of 99.999 percent and a face value of CAN$1 million. It weighs 100 kilograms (220 lbs). The diameter is 50 cm (19.6 inches) and the thickness is 3 cm (1.1 inches).
A total of 5 of these coins have been minted.
One of these Canadian gold coins sold for $4.02 million at auction in June 2010 in Vienna, Austria.