Beginner’s Guide to Buying Gold & Silver

If you’re new to precious metals, the range of products on offer — coins, bars, different weights, different mints — can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down the basics so you can buy with confidence.

Coins vs bars: Coins like the Britannia or Sovereign are minted by national mints, are legal tender, and are easy to recognise and resell. Bars are typically cheaper per gram since they cost less to produce, but are slightly less liquid to sell privately, as buyers rely more heavily on assay certificates and trusted dealers. For most first-time buyers, coins are the simpler and more flexible starting point.

Choosing a size: Gold is available in a range of weights, from 1/10oz coins up to 1oz coins and larger bars. Smaller denominations cost more per gram but are easier to sell in smaller amounts if you ever need partial liquidity. Larger bars are more cost-efficient for a substantial one-off purchase where you don’t anticipate needing to sell in parts.

Understanding the spread: Every bullion dealer buys and sells at slightly different prices — the ‘spread’ — which reflects their costs and margin. A reputable dealer will show you live buy and sell prices clearly, with no hidden fees at checkout. Always compare the total cost of a purchase, including any delivery or insurance charges, rather than just the headline price per ounce.

Verifying authenticity: Buy only from an established, verifiable dealer. Legitimate bullion should arrive in tamper-evident packaging and, for bars, with an assay certificate confirming weight and purity. If a deal looks significantly cheaper than the prevailing market price, treat it with caution.

Storage and delivery: You can choose to take physical delivery to a secure address, or arrange professional vault storage — which many investors prefer for larger holdings, since it avoids the practical and insurance considerations of keeping bullion at home.

At IBV Gold, our team talks new investors through every one of these decisions in person at our London studio, or over the phone — there’s no obligation, and no pressure to buy more than what’s right for you.