Key points
- Large bars have the lowest premiums per gram.
- Well-known bullion coins are easier to check and sell faster privately.
- Small denominations keep you flexible but cost more per gram.
- Many investors combine both.
The comparison at a glance
| Bars | Coins | |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Low from 100 g, high at 1–10 g | Moderate at 1 oz, small coins cost more |
| Ease of testing | Harder, tungsten-core fakes possible | Easier thanks to standard sizes and designs |
| Private resale | Good for well-known refiners | Very good for well-known designs |
| Sizes | 1 g to 1 kg and more | Usually 1/10 to 1 oz |
| Storage | Very compact | A bit more space, stack well in tubes |
| VAT | Exempt (fineness 995 or higher) | Exempt (bullion coins) |
When bars make sense
If you want to invest larger amounts for the long term, bars from about 100 g are usually the cheapest way to buy gold. Look for LBMA-accredited refiners such as Heraeus, Umicore or Valcambi. Minted bars often come sealed with a certificate. Keep the packaging closed – it makes resale easier.
A special case is the divisible bar (also “CombiBar”): it can be snapped into 1 g pieces and combines the lower price of a larger bar with small denominations.
When coins make sense
Bullion coins such as the Krugerrand, Maple Leaf, Vienna Philharmonic, Kangaroo, Britannia or American Eagle are known to every dealer worldwide. Weight and dimensions are standardised and easy to verify. In private trading that is a big advantage: the buyer can check the coin with a scale and caliper and trust follows.
If you might want to sell your gold in parts later, 1 oz coins are a good compromise between price and flexibility.
Choosing the right size
The smaller the piece, the higher the premium per gram. A single 1 kg bar is cheap but can only be sold as a whole. Many investors therefore mix: some in larger bars as a low-cost base, some in coins for flexibility.
Collector coins are something else
Coins with small mintages, special finishes (“proof”) or historic value trade above their gold value. That extra depends on collectors, not on the gold price. For a pure gold investment, classic bullion coins are usually the better choice.
This guide is general information and does not replace investment, tax or legal advice. No guarantee of accuracy; rules can change. Updated: 30 September 2026.