Coin or bar: how to choose

A gram of gold is worth the same in a coin as in a bar. What changes is what you pay on top of the metal, and how easy it is to resell.

The premium

The premium is the difference between the price of the product and the value of the gold it contains. It covers minting, logistics and the dealer's margin, and varies with demand. A 100 g bar trades at a premium of 1 to 2 %. A common coin such as the Napoleon or the Krugerrand, at around 2 to 3 %. A small coin or a sought-after coin can exceed 5 %. The larger the product, the lower the premium per gram.

Divisibility

A 250 g bar is resold in one piece. Forty Napoleons contain almost the same quantity of gold, but can be resold one at a time, whenever and in whatever quantity you choose. If you expect to sell gradually, coins are more flexible.

Resale

Quoted coins (Napoleon, Sovereign, Krugerrand, 20 dollars, 50 pesos) are recognised by every dealer in Europe and can be resold without any particular appraisal. A bar must remain sealed in its original packaging with its certificate to fetch the best price; once unsealed, it will have to be re-tested and will sell for less.

Storage

For the same weight, a bar takes up less space and is easier to store. Coins need storage that protects them from scratches, as their condition affects the resale price. In both cases, use a bank safe-deposit box or a safe bolted down at home, and never leave gold in a letterbox.

Criterion	Coins	Bars
Premium	2 to 5 %	1 to 2 %
Partial resale	Yes, coin by coin	No, in one piece
Resale without appraisal	Yes, for quoted coins	Yes, if sealed with its certificate
Entry price	From 370 €	From 6 300 €