AMERICAN GOLD BUFFALO — MARCH 22, 2012
🪙 99.99% Purity · GST/HST-exempt · RRSP/TFSA: Yes
On Thursday, March 22, 2012, the American Gold Buffalo was priced at C$1,710.45 in Canadian Dollars. This included the spot price of C$1,629.00 plus a typical dealer premium of C$81.45 (5.0% over spot). Gold fell C$6.15 (-0.38%) from the previous session.
The American Gold Buffalo is the US Mint's 99.99% pure gold coin, introduced in 2006. Unlike the American Eagle, the Buffalo's high purity means it IS GST/HST-exempt in Canada and IS eligible for RRSP/TFSA registration—making it an attractive alternative for Canadian investors who appreciate American coin designs.
In 2012, gold in CAD traded between C$1,546.80 and C$1,784.72, with an annual average of C$1,667.17. This day's price was -2.3% below the yearly average and -8.7% from the year's high.
PRICE BREAKDOWN
| Component | CAD |
|---|---|
| Gold Spot (XAU/CAD) | C$1,629.00 |
| Premium (5.0%) | +C$81.45 |
| American Gold Buffalo | C$1,710.45 |
| Per Gram | C$54.99 |
CANADIAN DEALER PRICES — MARCH 22, 2012
| Dealer | 1 oz Bar (CAD) | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Kitco | C$1,694.00 | C$65.00 |
| Sprott Money | C$1,707.00 | C$78.00 |
| SilverGoldBull | C$1,684.00 | C$55.00 |
| TD Precious Metals | C$1,724.00 | C$95.00 |
| Royal Canadian Mint | C$1,739.00 | C$110.00 |
| Border Gold | C$1,699.00 | C$70.00 |
📊 Market Analysis — March 22, 2012
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I hold gold in my RRSP or TFSA?
Gold bars and coins with 99.5%+ purity from approved refiners can be held in a self-directed RRSP or TFSA through a qualified custodian. Storage is handled by approved vault facilities like those operated by the Royal Canadian Mint.
❓ Is this product GST/HST-exempt in Canada?
Under the Excise Tax Act, investment-grade gold bullion with 99.5% or higher purity is exempt from GST/HST across all Canadian provinces. Products below this threshold (e.g., American Eagle at 91.67% gold) are subject to full provincial sales tax.
❓ How should I store gold safely at home?
If storing at home, use a UL-rated fire-resistant safe bolted to concrete. Consider a rider on your home insurance policy. For larger holdings, allocated vault storage through Kitco Pool or Sprott Money provides institutional-grade security.
💡 Canadian Gold Investor Guide
Portfolio Allocation: Most Canadian financial planners recommend allocating 5–15% of a diversified portfolio to gold and precious metals. This allocation provides downside protection during equity bear markets while maintaining growth potential during inflationary periods.
Physical vs Paper Gold: Physical bullion (bars, coins) provides tangible ownership with no counterparty risk, ideal for long-term holdings. ETFs (CGL.TO, MNT.TO) offer convenience for trading and rebalancing. A combination of both can optimize for both security and flexibility.
⚖️ Unit Conversions (CAD)
| Unit | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Per Troy Ounce (31.1g) | C$1,710.45 |
| Per Gram | C$54.99 |
| Per Kilogram | C$54,992.16 |
| Per Pennyweight (1.555g) | C$85.52 |
| Per Tola (11.66g) | C$641.42 |
📚 Learn more: How to Buy Gold in Canada · Gold Tax Guide · 25 Year Price Analysis · All Guides