How Much is 1 Gold Coin Nintendo Switch?
To get right to the point – 1 Nintendo Switch gold coin is worth $0.01 USD. At face value, a single gold coin has very minimal monetary value. But let‘s explore the ins and outs of Nintendo‘s gold coin program so you can understand the full value and savings opportunities.
What are Nintendo Switch Gold Coins?
As a Nintendo gamer myself, I find gold coins provide a nice added perk to buying digital content. Here‘s an overview of how they work:
Gold coins are a digital currency granted for purchases made on the Nintendo eShop and other select services. For example, buying a $60 digital game earns you 600 gold coins automatically.
These coins accumulate in your Nintendo account wallet. You can then redeem them on future eShop purchases for dollar discounts, essentially getting money back.
Now let‘s dive deeper into the coin earning and redemption process.
How to Earn Gold Coins on Nintendo Switch
There are a handful of ways to add more gold coins to your account balance:
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Buy Nintendo eShop games and DLC – The #1 way to earn coins. You get 5 coins per $1 spent based on actual amount paid. So a $40 game nets 200 coins.
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Redeem eShop gift cards – Topping up your wallet also earns gold coins based on amount redeemed.
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Purchase Nintendo Switch Online membership – Grants 5 coins per $1 spent on 1/3/12 month plans. A 1-year membership provides 165 coins.
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Complete My Nintendo Missions – Occasional Missions provide bonus coins for gameplay time or achievements.
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Buy Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers – Special 2-pack vouchers offer double coins compared to buying separately.
Below is a table summarizing different coin earning activities and potential amounts:
| Gold Coin Earning Activity | Coins Received |
|---|---|
| $20 eShop game purchase | 100 coins |
| $35 eShop gift card redemption | 175 coins |
| 1-year Switch Online membership | 165 coins |
| Complete "Play Switch Online 60 min" Mission | 50 coins |
| Purchase $100 Voucher Pack | 600 coins |
To maximize earnings, I recommend buying more eShop content digitally vs. physical. Linking Nintendo accounts across platforms like Switch and 3DS also pools coins.
Nintendo Switch Gold Coin Expiration Dates
Before redeeming coins, be aware they expire annually if left unspent. Here are key gold coin expiration rules:
- Expire 1 year after earning on the last day of that month
- Tied to account, not console – carryover on new Switch
- Earn date and exact expiry visible in account wallet
For example, 300 coins earned on March 1st, 2022 would expire March 31, 2023.
I advise spending coins within 10-11 months for a buffer. And check your wallet periodically for upcoming expirations. Here‘s a sample expiration schedule for different earning periods:
| Earn Date | Expiration Date |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2023 | January 31, 2024 |
| May 15, 2023 | May 31, 2024 |
| October 5, 2023 | October 31, 2024 |
As you can see, the year end holidays are a prime time for coin expirations – so be vigilant!
Redeeming Gold Coins on the Nintendo eShop
Redeeming gold coins is straightforward when making Nintendo eShop purchases including games, DLC, indie titles, and more.
During checkout, you‘ll be prompted to apply available gold coins to lower your purchase price. Coins can even discount the total to $0 if you have enough!
However, keep in mind gold coins must be redeemed in full increments – no partials. So 100, 200, 300 coins work but not 125 coins. Nintendo could improve flexibility here.
I like to use coins for smaller purchases under $10 to avoid partial coin waste. Stacking with sales stretches value even further.
Nintendo Switch Gold vs. Platinum Coins
Alongside gold coins, My Nintendo Platinum coins are another rewards currency. Here‘s how they differ:
- Gold – Earned from purchases, redeem for eShop discounts
- Platinum – Earned from game actions, redeem for wallpapers/themes
In most cases, I find gold coins provide better practical value compared to platinum coins based on my gaming habits. But platinum coins do offer unique rewards like 3D printable keychains.
Below is a quick comparison table highlighting the key pros and cons of each currency:
| Gold Coins | Platinum Coins | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Earning Methods | eShop purchases | Completing games, missions |
| Redemption Options | eShop discounts | Wallpapers, keychains, discounts |
| Expiration | 1 year | 6 months |
| Value | Higher | Lower |
Both have a place, but gold coins are my personal priority to earn and burn.
Tips to Maximize Nintendo Gold Coins
As a seasoned Nintendo gamer, here are my top tips to maximize gold coin earnings and savings:
- Buy eShop digital over physical to earn coins
- Redeem eShop gift cards for bonus coins
- Complete My Nintendo Missions when possible
- Buy Nintendo Switch Online membership
- Purchase Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers
- Stack coins with eShop sales and vouchers
- Avoid partial coin waste by redeeming in full increments
- Track expiration dates in account wallet
- Increase coin earning opportunities by linking Nintendo accounts
Following these tips, you can easily save $10, $20, even $50+ annually in gold coins. That‘s a big discount on games!
My Take – Gold Coins Are a Valuable Perk
While each gold coin has minimal standalone value, I think Nintendo‘s program provides excellent incremental savings for loyal gamers. It incentivizes buying more digital content to increase earnings.
Sure, improvements around partial coins and expirations would be great. But overall, gold coins give my gaming budget a nice boost. I‘ve earned over $40 in discounts this year alone!
If you play Nintendo Switch heavily, take time to maximize gold coin activities. Over the long run, they really add up thanks to the solid 1 cent per coin value.