Coins vs. bars vs. shot
Gold and silver come in many shapes. Coins, bars and shot all hold metal, but they differ in price, how easy they are to sell, and how easy they are to check.
Bullion coins
Made by government mints, such as the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf and South African Krugerrand. Their weight and purity are guaranteed by the government that issues them.
- Good: known everywhere, easy to sell, harder to fake well.
- Less good: usually cost more over spot than bars of the same size.
Bars
Made by private refiners such as Valcambi, PAMP Suisse and Geiger, from 1 gram up to 1 kilo or more. Small gold bars often come sealed in a card called an assay card with a serial number.
- Good: larger bars usually have the lowest cost over spot.
- Less good: very small bars (1 gram) cost a lot more per gram, and big bars are harder to sell in pieces.
CombiBars are bars scored into small squares (for example 50 × 1 gram) that can be snapped apart.
Shot and grain
Small beads of pure metal, sold by weight. Jewelers use them for casting, and some buyers like them because you can buy an exact amount.
- Good: flexible amounts, often a modest premium for gold.
- Less good: no stamp or serial number, so buyers may want to test it before paying full price.
Nuggets and crystals
Natural gold nuggets are found in nature and are usually 80-92% gold mixed with silver and other metals. Silver crystals are usually grown in a lab and are very pure. Both are bought mostly as collectibles, so their price depends on looks and rarity, not just metal value.
Which is right for you?
| If you want... | Consider |
|---|---|
| The most metal for your money | Larger bars (1 oz gold, 10 oz or kilo silver) |
| Easy to sell anywhere | Well-known government coins |
| Small amounts or gifts | 1 gram to 10 gram bars, CombiBars |
| Something to display | Nuggets, crystals, toned bars |
Not financial advice. This guide is general information. For tax or investment decisions, talk to a qualified professional.