Buying Bullion Bars VS Coins — Pro’s and Con’s

Guardian Gold Australia
5 min readApr 19, 2023

Original Source: Guardian Gold Australia: https://guardian-gold.com.au/market-updates/buying-bullion-bars-vs-coins-top-pros-and-cons/

When it comes to investing in precious metals, gold and silver are two of the most popular options. But within each of these metals, there are two distinct forms of investment: bullion bars and coins.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between gold and silver bullion bars and coins, and help you decide which one is right for you.

Gold Bullion Bars Vs Coins

Gold bullion bars are usually rectangular blocks of pure gold, usually ranging in size from one gram to one kilogram. They are produced by private mints and government mints (such as The Perth Mint), and their value is based purely on the weight and purity of the gold they contain.

Gold bullion coins, on the other hand, are coins that are usually minted by government mints and have a face value, which is usually much lower than the value of the gold contained in the coin. The value of the coin is based on its gold content, as well as its rarity, condition, and historical significance.

One of the main advantages of investing in gold bullion bars is their lower premium. Since they are produced by private mints, there are fewer production costs associated with their manufacture, which means that they are often sold at a lower premium over the spot price of gold than gold bullion coins. This makes them a cost-effective way to invest in gold.

Another advantage of gold bullion bars is that they are easy to store and transport. Since they are compact and uniform in shape, they can be stacked neatly in a safe or storage facility, which makes them ideal for investors who want to store large quantities of gold in a small space. For example, the safe deposit box options at Guardian Vaults will fit a greater weight of bullion bars VS coins, as the coins packaging tend to take up more space.

Gold bullion coins, on the other hand, are often preferred by investors who are interested in collecting as well as investing. Since they are minted by governments, they often have a unique design and historical significance, which can make them more valuable to collectors.

In addition, gold bullion coins can be easier to sell in certain markets, since they are more widely recognized and accepted as a form of currency. This can make them a more liquid investment, which is important for investors who may need to sell their gold quickly in the event of a financial emergency.

Silver Bullion Bars Vs Coins

Like gold, silver bullion can also come in the form of bars or coins. Silver bars are typically made using the same process as gold bars, and they can range in size from as small as one ounce to as large as 1,000 ounces. Silver coins, on the other hand, are typically smaller than bars and are often made in denominations of one ounce as the most popular size.

One of the advantages of silver bars is that they are generally cheaper than coins. This is because the manufacturing process for silver bars is simpler than for coins, which means that the production costs are lower. This can make silver bars an attractive option for investors who are looking for a cost-effective way to invest in silver.

However, like gold bars, one of the downsides of silver bars is that they can be difficult to sell privately. This means that investors may need to find a bullion dealer like Guardian Gold who is willing to buy the bars in larger volumes.

Silver coins, on the other hand, are generally easier to sell and very liquid given their low value per coin. They are recognized by dealers around the world, and there is a well-established market for silver coins. This means that investors can sell their coins quickly and easily, which can be an important consideration for those who may need to liquidate their investment quickly. Many silver coins are traded in the secondary market.

Another advantage of silver coins is that they can be much more collectible than silver bars. This means the selling value of the coin in the future could be well above the underlying spot value of the coin, depending on it’s rarity. Many Perth Mint silver coins like the lunar series are considered collectable and often have larger premiums in the secondary market some years after their initial release.

One of the most important considerations would be where you intend on liquidating your bars or coins in the future. The vast majority of bullion dealers will pay the same per ounce price on bars and coins, so it may be best to stick to bars if you intend on selling back to the bullion dealer you initially purchase through.

Disclaimers: Guardian Gold, Registered Office, Scottish House, 100 William Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000. ACN 138618176 (“Guardian Vaults” & “Guardian Gold”) All rights reserved. Any reproduction, copying, or redistribution, in whole or in part, is prohibited without written permission from the publisher and/or the author. Information contained herein is believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. It is not designed to meet your personal situation. Guardian Gold, its officers, agents, representatives and employees do not hold an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), are not an authorised representative of an AFSL and otherwise are not qualified to provide you with advice of any kind in relation to financial products. If you require advice about a financial product, you should contact a properly licensed or authorised financial advisor. The information is indicative and general in nature only and is prepared for information purposes only and does not purport to contain all matters relevant to any particular investment. Subject to any terms implied by law and which cannot be excluded, Guardian Gold, shall not be liable for any errors, omissions, defects or misrepresentations (including by reasons of negligence, negligent misstatement or otherwise) or for any loss or damage (direct or indirect) suffered by persons who use or rely on such information. The opinions expressed herein are those of the publisher and/or the author and may not be representative of the opinions of Guardian Gold, its officers, agents, representatives and employees. Such information does not take into account the particular circumstances, investment objectives and needs for investment of any person, or purport to be comprehensive or constitute investment or financial product advice and should not be relied upon as such. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or laws the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. You should seek professional advice before you decide to invest or consider any action based on the information provided. If you do not agree with any of the above disclaimers, you should immediately cease viewing or making use of any of the information provided.

--

--

Guardian Gold Australia
0 Followers

Business Development Manager at Guardian Gold Australia