Start with the purpose, not the product
Physical gold is bought for different reasons — long-term wealth preservation, a hedge against inflation and currency risk, a gift that holds value, or simply diversification. The reason determines the product. A saver building a position over years is best served by low-premium bars; someone who values flexibility buys coins that can be sold one at a time; a gift calls for attractive packaging and a recognisable design. Decide what the gold is for, and the rest of the choices largely make themselves.
Bars or coins?
Minted bars carry the lowest premium per gram, and the premium falls as the weight rises — a 100 g bar costs meaningfully less per gram than ten 10 g bars. Bullion coins such as the Vienna Philharmonic, Maple Leaf, Krugerrand or Britannia cost slightly more per gram, but they are legal tender, recognised by dealers on every continent, and divisible: a holding of twenty 1 oz coins can be sold in any increment. Many experienced buyers combine a core of larger bars with a layer of coins for liquidity.
LBMA accreditation — the quality passport
The London Bullion Market Association maintains the Good Delivery list — refineries whose production standards are audited and whose bars the professional market accepts without further assay. PAMP, Valcambi, Argor-Heraeus and Heraeus are all on it. An LBMA-accredited bar in sealed assay packaging is the easiest product in the world to resell, because the buyer does not need to test it. That convenience is worth protecting: keep the packaging intact.
The VAT advantage
Under EU law, investment gold is exempt from VAT: bars and wafers of 995/1000 fineness or better, and gold coins minted after 1800 of at least 900/1000 fineness that are or have been legal tender and trade close to their metal value. In practice this covers every bullion bar and coin in our catalogue. Silver enjoys no such exemption — a fact that shapes silver strategy, as our silver guide explains.
How buying works with us
Our site shows reference metal values at spot; commercial prices are personal. Add products to your quote list and submit it — or call, or walk into an office — and we confirm price and availability, usually within hours. Payment is by bank transfer or in cash within statutory limits. For transactions above the legal thresholds, anti-money-laundering law requires a valid identity document; details are on our AML/KYC page.