Containing 24 Karat Pure Gold, Indonesia's 1975 Proclamation Commemorative Gold Coin is Now Valued up to Rp160 Million

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Priangan Insider - Amid the growing trend of alternative investments and collecting historical items, one Indonesian numismatic artifact has caught attention once again: the 1975 Gold Coin Commemorating the Proclamation of the Republic of Indonesia.

This coin is not just a precious metal, but a symbol commemorating 30 years of Indonesian independence, now valued at up to Rp160 million per piece, especially if still in its original condition, complete with the authenticity certificate and original box.

Printed to Commemorate Three Decades of Indonesian Independence

This coin was first issued by the Government of Indonesia in 1975 as part of the celebration of three decades since the Proclamation of Independence on August 17, 1945. Unlike regular circulating coins, this coin was minted in limited quantities and was not intended for use as a means of transaction, but rather as a commemorative coin which holds high historical value and collectibility.

The coins were minted from pure 24 karat gold (999.9 fine gold), with varying weights depending on the edition, but generally ranging from 15 to 31 grams. The design is very distinctive: on one side, it features an image of President Sukarno and Vice President Mohammad Hatta as the proclaimers of independence, while the other side displays the national emblem Garuda Pancasila along with the inscription "Proclamation 17-8-1945" and "1975" as the year of manufacture.

Attraction for Collectors and Investors

This coin has three main advantages that make it highly sought after:

1. High Historical Value

This coin is not just a physical remembrance of Independence Day, but also a symbol of Indonesia's transition towards the era of national development. It serves as a silent witness to the early days of the New Order, when there was a desire to establish national identity through symbolic objects like this.

2. Scarcity

Because it was produced in limited quantities and not generally available for sale when first launched, this coin is now very rare. Many coins have been lost, damaged, or even melted down due to their gold value, making complete specimens increasingly difficult to find.

3. High-Value Material

Made with pure 24 karat gold, the intrinsic value of this coin is very high. The increase in global gold prices over the past few years has made its metal value alone worth tens of millions of rupiah, not to mention its historical value and rarity.

According to Yudhistira Wibisono, a numismatics researcher from Jakarta, the value of this coin is determined not only by its gold weight but also by its condition.

"Coins that are still sealed, accompanied by an authenticity certificate and original box can be valued at more than 150 million Rupiah. Even in international auctions, the price can be higher if they fall into the mint condition category," he said.

Becoming an Alternative Investment Instrument

The phenomenon of rising coin prices is not unrelated to the growing interest of the public who now begin to consider collectible items such as numismatic coins as part of their investment portfolio. Compared to precious metals in the form of bars, coins like these offer two layers of value: the value of the gold itself, as well as the collectible value which tends to increase over time.

"Many collectors are starting to see these coins as rare assets and a hedge against inflation. Even some people are making them family heirlooms that will not be sold unless in dire circumstances," said Rendra Ardiansyah, a precious metals investor from Bandung.

Tips If You Have This Coin

If you feel that you have this coin at home, here are some steps you can take:

- Check Physical Condition: Make sure there are no severe scratches or color changes. Coins in original condition are more valuable.

- Find the Authenticity Certificate and Its Box: Without these documents, the value of the coin can significantly decrease.

- Do Not Clean Arbitrarily: Rubbing coins with chemicals or rough cloth can damage the surface and reduce their value.

- Verify Authenticity with an Expert: Visit a reputable numismatic store or use appraisal services to determine the current estimated value.

The Proclamation Gold Coin 1975 is proof that history can have a very large economic value if it is preserved and maintained well.

In the right hand, this coin is not just a collection, but also an asset for the future. Its value is not measured only by its gold weight, but by the story of the nation's struggle it represents.