Coins vs rounds – What’s the real difference?

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After yesterday’s post, it’s clear that most of the #silvergoldstackers community have a soft spot for circular silver. Whether it’s the satisfying clink of a freshly minted round or the timeless elegance of a sovereign coin, the round shape seems to hold a special place in every stacker’s heart.

But it did raise an interesting question: what actually is the difference between a coin and a round? To the untrained eye, they might look almost identical, but there are a few key distinctions that every collector and investor should understand.

The easiest way to tell a coin from a round is by asking one simple question — does it have a face value? If the answer is yes, then you’re holding a coin. Coins are minted by official government mints and are recognised as legal tender within their country of issue. That means they carry an official face value — even if that value is often just symbolic compared to the metal’s true worth. Think of examples like the Britannia, minted by The Royal Mint with a face value of £2, or the American Silver Eagle, worth $1 on paper but far more in silver value. Even the Maple Leaf, with a face value of $5 CAD, follows this tradition. These coins are backed by the government that issues them, giving them an extra layer of recognition and security.