GOLD COINS VS GOLD BARS
Coppergate House, 10 White’s Row London, E1 7NF
Gold Coins or Gold Bars?
One of the most common questions we get asked here at VC Bullion is "should I buy gold bars or gold coins"? Whether you’re new to bullion investment or not, deciding which to invest in - bullion bars or bullion coins - should be given some consideration.
Before making this decision, it would be advisable that you conduct your research as there is no definitive right or wrong answer, it will vary depending on the needs and circumstances of the individual investor.
Trends can also change over time depending on market conditions. There are a several factors to consider including the value of your investment and the product premiums, how long you plan on keeping it, where to store it, capital gains tax (CGT) and how you plan on realising the value of your investment.
Gold Coins vs Gold Bars at a Glance
Gold’s monetary value and history make it a respected investment worldwide.
But when you enter the world of precious metals, it can be challenging to determine whether to invest in gold coins or bars.
Although it seems like a difficult choice, there’s no right or wrong answer.
Some investors may benefit from gold bars or coins alone, while others could blend the two in their investment strategy.
As the UK’s leading online gold bullion dealer and supplier, we can help ease your dilemma and strengthen your investment strategy.
Our tips will clarify your options and guide you in diversifying your investment portfolio.
Gold Coins:
Higher premiums when compared to large bars due to the cost for minting and delivery being a higher percentile.
Gold Bars:
Lower premiums, due to the higher value the costs for the manufacture, etc are less noticeable. Bars of 10g or smaller can prove more expensive than coins.
One of the first factors that might come to your mind is the price. When you want to buy either gold coins or bars, remember that all gold prices are different. Even if you compare gold of the same weight, the costs could deviate from each other. But despite such differences, they have one thing in common – the price per gram usually goes down if you decide to buy large gold bars rather than gold coins.
Gold bullion coins are often more expensive per gram than larger gold bars because they carry a design and higher relative production costs. Historical, commemorative or collectable gold coins will also possess a higher value due to their scarcity and appeal. But due to their size, they might be more affordable than most gold bars and be an ideal buy for investors on a tighter budget. We offer some of the most popular gold coins, including Gold Britannias, Gold Sovereign Coins and South African Krugerrand.
Generally gold bars represent the lower cost per gram option. Rather than mimicking the intricate designs of many gold coins, gold bars tend to be produced as simple blocks of gold with the manufacturer’s stamp and a serial number. Bars are either ‘minted’, whereby they’re cut to size from large sheets of gold, or ‘cast’ by pouring molten pure gold into a cast. Either method is generally cheaper to produce than gold coins.
The most significant cost factor comes with economies of scale. Quite simply, the overall cost of producing one bar of gold worth £30k, £40k, or £50k is far lower as a percentage of cost than producing lots of small coins to the same value. The interesting caveat which most novice investors miss is that small gold bars up to 10g or 20g in weight tend to actually cost more per gram to buy than the equivalent weight in bullion coins. At this tiny size, they lose the cost advantage of size and due to them being made in lovely laminated packets are actually more costly to produce than a simple coin.
Gold Coins:
Easier to store due to their smaller size.
Gold Bars:
Require more storage due to their larger size.
When considering storage and security for gold investments, both gold coins and bars offer unique advantages and disadvantages. For UK investors, these factors play a crucial role in deciding the option that best suits their needs.
Gold coins have a smaller and more compact size, making them easier to store and transport. Their size allows discreet storage in tubes, benefiting privacy. However, their size and potential collectability mean gold coins may need more secure storage solutions to protect against theft or damage. Consider the additional costs and effort required for secure storage when investing in gold coins.
In contrast, gold bars are larger and heavier, needing more storage space, usually a secure vault which can carry with it high additional costs. We cover this in depth in our gold storage guide.
Gold Coins:
Smaller size and cost make them easier to diversify.
Gold Bars:
More cost effective, but their larger size make them less flexible in a portfolio.
When considering investment flexibility, the huge range of choice with gold coins and their smaller size means they provide far more divisibility and variety.
Gold coins are smaller and lighter than large gold bars, making it easier to buy and sell individual coins and adjust investments according to market conditions.
After all, if you own one gold bar worth say £10,000, you’re unable to sell £1,000 worth. You either have to sell the whole bar or nothing at all. By owning gold coins, the investor benefits from the flexibility of having smaller pieces of gold. This enables partial sales to either raise funds when needed or capitalize on price rises, while still leaving some investment in the gold market.
Cheaper per unit, gold coins allow investors to diversify their portfolio through different types of coins without breaking the bank. With a typical Sovereign gold coin costing around £400, investors are able to add to their investment regularly in affordable amounts.
This ‘cost-averaging’ approach can iron out market volatility and act as a method of accumulating savings, albeit in gold coins rather than cash! Our Monthly Saver product provides a means to set up monthly purchases of coins on an automated basis.
Portfolio diversity can also benefit many gold investors. While gold bars vary very little between various manufacturers, gold coins are available in hundreds of designs from many mints around the world. The sheer variety of gold coins available can enable gold investors to create a mixed portfolio of coins, varying in size, age, risk, and value.
Gold Coins:
The collectability of gold coins give them a higher chance of value increase.
Gold Bars:
As pure gold, they will increase in line with the gold spot price, but no further.
You might expect the value to fluctuate when investing in a precious metal like physical gold, even though it’s a reliable investment. Before you choose whether to buy gold bars or coins, consider their upside potential.
Gold coins can offer their investors the benefit of scarcity. They come in a specific design and might be able to grow in value above the change in the gold price as time goes by. When you buy limited issue gold coins when they first get released and hold onto them for a few years, their premium could increase significantly, and you might get an excellent return on investment.
This often happens when there’s a limited issue of certain coins, like the Royal Mint Queen’s Beast Series. Some of the older series are now available on the gold market with a 30-50% premium.
When buying gold coins which command a higher premium, such as historical coins, they’re additional value offers some protection if the gold price falls. However, they represent additional risk than buying gold bars as the investor has to pay higher premiums on purchase. Therefore the gold price needs to rise more to make a profit then with gold bars.
Unlike the coins, gold bars don’t offer gold investors any scarcity. Their value might often change in line with the gold price. And because of all these factors, their premium isn’t going to change.
For this reason, gold bars are a preferred choice for investors looking to have a more simple and direct exposure to the gold price. Gold bar values will not rise at a faster pace than the underlying gold spot price, however the lower initial premiums paid means that the value has to rise less to be in profit.
Gold Coins:
Command a larger market, and are easy to sell.
Gold Bars:
Reliable and strong markets, but size can make them slightly harder to sell than coins.
When it comes to liquidity, gold coins generally have the advantage over gold bars.
If selling back to a gold dealer, there should be no difference in selling coins or bars. Both can be converted to cash within a day or two.
However, there’s a more varied market for gold coins, which includes collectors and investors who are interested in specific designs. This gives sellers more options when disposing of their gold.
For example, if you have a rare or highly sought-after coin, it can be possible to find individual collectors willing to pay high premiums.
Selling gold bars can be slightly more challenging due to their size, but this doesn’t mean that they are not a liquid investment. Transporting large gold bars to a seller (such as a registered gold dealer) can prove more costly than coins.
Our gold bars are made with consistent quality and purity, which can make them a reliable and attractive option for investors who are looking for a stable investment that can be sold with relative ease.
It’s important to keep in mind that liquidity can be affected by market conditions and other factors.
Gold Coins:
Free from VAT and can be free from CGT.
Gold Bars:
Free from VAT.
UK gold investors can enjoy buying gold bars and coins VAT-free. But UK coins are clear winners with the tax advantages they can bring to investors. They are considered legal tender and are free of the Capital Gains Tax, which can be highly beneficial to those who are investing more money or looking to invest in gold regularly.
Currently, the CGT-free threshold is £12,300 per year. But in April 2023, the amount will fall to £6,000 and decrease even more in 2024 to £3,000. This means that you won’t need to pay the tax unless your earnings from selling your gold cross £3,000 a year.
Therefore, you might want to join other UK investors and invest in gold coins to ensure you don’t get a surprise bill for the tax. You can easily recognise the CGT-free coins on our website with a grey sticker.
PCGS3000
Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is the most respected name in third-party coin certification. By establishing a universal grading standard, PCGS has paved the way for coin enthusiasts to enjoy buying and selling coins with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Gold coins offer higher investment flexibility, potential increase in value, and tax advantages, making them an attractive option for investors looking for long-term growth and tax benefits.
- Gold bars are more cost-effective for larger investments, providing a consistently pure product and lower premiums, making them a suitable choice for investors focused on gold content and value.
- When choosing between gold coins and gold bars, investors should consider their individual needs, investment goals, and preferences, as each option offers unique advantages and disadvantages.
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