Gold Investing 101: The Beginner’s Guide to Buying, Selling, and Storing Gold

Investing in gold and precious metals can be easy, fun, and profitable. Because gold retains its value in times of crisis, this precious metal is both a hedge against chaos and a solid long-term investment. The good news is anyone can learn how to start buying gold as a physical store of wealth.

Like any activity, the process of buying, selling, and holding gold involves certain nuances that are important to understand, and it is essential to be an informed investor. We fully believe in arming our clients with knowledge about gold market trends, different ways to buy gold, values of gold coins and more so that they can use these tools to make sound choices for their financial future. Begin building your expertise in gold so that you can fully take advantage of what this investment vehicle has to offer.

Why Invest in Gold?
Unlike paper currency or other assets, gold has maintained its value for literally thousands of years. Gold has historically been an excellent hedge against inflation, because its price tends to rise when the cost of living increases.

Gold’s negative correlation to the stock market and paper currency has benefited gold investors for a long time. The spot price of gold has historically risen when the U.S. dollar weakened and when the stock market faltered. Investors have seen gold prices soar and the stock market plunge during periods of high inflation. In addition to financial insecurity, gold is also known as a crisis commodity for its ability to maintain or even grow in value during times of geopolitical uncertainty.

Demand for gold has also grown among investors. Many are beginning to see commodities, particularly gold, as an investment class into which funds should be allocated. Central bank gold buying has also significantly contributed to international demand.

As we mentioned above, gold is a low-risk commodity that many investors use to curb volatility in their portfolio. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of gold’s staying power as a wise investment class?

What are Good Investment Goals for Gold?
Do you want to build wealth? Establish a portfolio that will yield passive earnings? Are you saving funds for events that will happen five years from now, or thirty? How much will you need?

Different investment experts have different recommendations about how much of your portfolio should be allocated for gold and other precious metals, but many will agree in the power of gold to act as a hedge against volatility.

Having a diversified portfolio will provide some protection from the volatility of other riskier asset classes. Combine gold with stocks and bonds in a portfolio to reduce the overall volatility and risk. Do your research or seek advice from experts to make sound, informed decisions on how to diversify your portfolio using gold and other precious metals.

How Do I Buy Gold?
Gold stocks and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are both popular ways to invest in gold, but we believe the best way to invest in gold is in its physical form. Physical precious metals are most commonly sold for investment purposes in bars, rounds, and coins. Although gold jewelry has also been popular because it maintains value, can be worn as adornment, and passed on to provide wealth to future generations.

Where Do I Buy Gold?
These can be purchased at coin shops and internet auctions, but you can also obtain them from a reputable precious metal dealer, who may be able to advise you on the best strategies for collecting and investing based on your goals.

What Common Mistakes Should I Avoid?

• All bullion bars and coins come with a premium, but do your research when preparing to make a purchase to make sure that you are not taken advantage of by price-gouging, or unusually high premiums on bullion.
• Don’t pay numismatic prices for gold bullion. ONLY Pre-1933 U.S. gold has numismatic value.
• Avoid fractional bullion if possible. Because the cost to produce 1/10 oz. gold coins is even higher than the cost to produce a 1 oz. gold coin, you’ll end up paying a higher markup for less gold.
• Since the decision on South Dakota v. Wayfair, delivery of precious metals to states which enforce sales tax can be expensive. If possible, use offshore storage or a domestic storage facility in a state which doesn’t require sales tax on out of state purchases.
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Store your gold at home for easy access, and in secure depositories both domestically and abroad. Diversify when it comes to storing your precious metals.

Want to Find Out More?
Give us a call at 800-831-0007 or email one of our preferred client representatives. They would be happy to have a conversation with you about the best ways to buy gold to suit your investment purposes.

We’re also excited to announce the upcoming 2019 In Gold We Trust Report from our friends at Incrementum, due out on May 28th. Their 2018 In Gold We Trust Report was very well received and read by almost 2 million people all over the globe. Ronald-Peter Stöferle and Mark Valek will analyze the state of the global financial markets and their influence on gold price developments like no other.

Since 2007, the annual In Gold We Trust Report is the authoritative report on gold investing, and is required reading for anyone interested in the precious metal market. Stay tuned for the release of this free report.