Investing in Gold

Investment Gold Coins, Ingots and Bars 

Investing in gold has never been more straightforward. Today’s buyers can choose from a wide range of physical gold products, including bullion coins, bars, and ingots, available through specialist bullion dealers, online marketplaces, and commercial retailers. Alongside established products, the market also includes heavily marketed commemorative issues, often promoted as investments despite carrying substantial premiums.

If you have reached this page, you may be considering gold as a long-term store of value, a short-term hedge against volatility, or as part of a diversified investment portfolio. You may also be an established coin collector looking to add gold to your holdings. Our aim is to provide clear, practical guidance to help you understand the different forms of investment gold and make informed purchasing decisions.

Gold Bars/Ingots and Rounds.

Gold bars and ingots are available in a wide range of sizes, from as little as 1 gram to large institutional bars. Newly issued small ingots are typically supplied sealed in a tamper-evident card that also serves as a certificate of authenticity, displaying a serial number that should match the bar itself. Pre-owned or older ingots may no longer have their original certificates but should still be clearly stamped with the manufacturer’s name, weight, purity, and serial number. When purchasing larger bars, we strongly recommend obtaining the original certificate wherever possible.

Bullion gold is commonly supplied in three main formats: rounds, bars/ingots, and bullion coins. Rounds are coin-shaped pieces struck in a similar way to coins but carry no legal tender status. They are most often produced in weights from ¼oz to 1oz, although larger examples exist.

Bars and ingots may be either pressed or cast. Pressed bars are faster to manufacture and typically available up to 100oz. Cast (or poured) bars are favoured for larger weights and are available from around 50g upwards, including the well-known 400oz “Good Delivery” bars held in professional vaults. At a gold price of approximately £3,220 per troy ounce, a single 400oz bar represents a value in excess of £1.29 million.

Gold Bullion Coins

Gold bullion coins remain one of the most popular ways to invest in physical gold. They combine a recognised gold content with ease of resale, compact storage, and, in many cases, favourable tax treatment. Well-known examples include British Sovereigns, South African Krugerrands, American Eagles, and international issues such as the Australian Nugget and Chinese Panda.

While bullion coins are primarily valued for their gold content, some issues become increasingly collectable over time and may trade at a premium above intrinsic value. This is particularly true for series with changing designs or limited mintages. Our World Bullion Coins section provides further detail on these ranges.

As with all bullion products, pricing is based on the daily gold fix, set twice each weekday by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) at 10:30 and 15:00 GMT. Due to normal market movements, we do not offer fixed prices on bullion. Instead, prices are calculated in line with the live market, availability, and order size at the time of purchase, ensuring fair and competitive pricing.

Considering Investing in Gold?

If you are considering investing in physical gold and would like to discuss the different products available, we are always happy to help. We can explain the practical differences between coins, bars, and ingots, outline current market availability, and discuss factors such as liquidity and storage.

We also have a good working understanding of UK Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and VAT rules as they relate to physical gold, and are happy to explain how these typically apply to different products in general terms.

Please note that we are not authorised or regulated to provide investment advice, and nothing on this website should be considered financial advice or a recommendation to invest. All purchases are made at your own discretion, and we always encourage customers to seek independent financial advice where appropriate.

If you have any questions or would like to speak with us, Contact us and a member of our team will be pleased to assist.