Au · 79
Gold
Complete guide to gold investing, from bars and coins to ETFs and mining stocks. Independent analysis for every type of gold investor.
Gold Spot Price
Gold currently trades near $4,506 per troy ounce. As the most widely held precious metal, gold serves as both a monetary asset and a safe-haven investment. Its price is influenced by central bank policy, inflation expectations, currency movements, and geopolitical risk.
Gold Guides & Analysis
7 Gold Scams to Avoid The 7 most common gold investment scams: overpriced numismatics, bait-and-switch, high-pressure phone sales, rare-coin schemes, counterfeit bars, fake online dealers, and too-good-to-be-true pricing — with red flags and protection steps for each. American Gold Buffalo: Complete Buyer's Guide American Gold Buffalo specs, pricing, and buying guide. The only .9999 fine gold coin minted by the US government since 2006. American Gold Eagle: Complete Buyer's Guide American Gold Eagle specs, pricing, Type 1 vs Type 2, IRA rules, and where to buy. The most popular US gold bullion coin since 1986. Best Gold Bars to Buy in 2026 Ranked guide to the best gold bars by manufacturer. PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Perth Mint, and more. Premiums, sizes, cast vs minted comparison. Best Gold Coins to Buy in 2026 Ranked comparison of the 7 best gold bullion coins. Premium data, purity specs, pros and cons for each coin, and which to buy for your situation. Canadian Gold Maple Leaf: Buying Guide Canadian Gold Maple Leaf guide covering .9999 purity, RCM security features, premiums, sizes, and how it compares to the American Eagle. Fractional Gold Guide Fractional gold buying guide: 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz coins and small bars. Premiums, best products, and when fractional gold makes sense. Gold as an Inflation Hedge Historical data on gold's performance during inflation. CPI correlation, 1970s vs 2020s analysis, and comparison to TIPS and real estate. Gold Australian Kangaroo: Buyer's Guide Australian Gold Kangaroo specs, premiums, and buying guide. Perth Mint's .9999 fine bullion coin with annual design changes. Gold Bars vs Coins: Which Should You Buy? Gold bars vs coins compared on premiums, liquidity, storage, IRA rules, and resale. Clear recommendations for different investor profiles. Gold Bars: Sizes, Manufacturers, and Buying Guide Guide to buying gold bars. Compare sizes from 1 gram to 1 kilo, top refiners, typical premiums, and storage options for bullion investors. Gold Britannia: Complete Buyer's Guide Gold Britannia specs, security features, premiums, and tax advantages. The Royal Mint's flagship .9999 fine gold bullion coin. Gold Chinese Panda: Complete Buyer's Guide Gold Chinese Panda specs, annual designs, gram sizes, premiums, and collector value. China's flagship gold coin since 1982. Gold Coins: Bullion Coins Compared and Ranked Compare top gold bullion coins including American Eagle, Maple Leaf, Krugerrand, and Britannia. Specs, premiums, and IRA eligibility. Gold ETFs Compared: GLD, IAU, GLDM, and SGOL Compare gold ETFs by expense ratio, AUM, tax treatment, and structure. GLD vs IAU vs GLDM vs SGOL with pros and cons of each. Gold for Beginners First-time gold buyer guide: what to buy first, how much to spend, choosing a dealer, understanding premiums, and avoiding common mistakes. Gold Krugerrand: History, Specs, and Buying Guide South African Krugerrand guide covering its 1967 origins, 22K composition, premiums, anti-apartheid history, and current market position. Gold Mexican Libertad: Buyer's Guide Gold Mexican Libertad specs, premiums, and scarcity data. Mexico's low-mintage .999 fine gold coin with no face value. Gold Mining Stocks: Producers, Royalties, and ETFs Gold mining stocks guide covering major producers, royalty companies, key metrics like AISC, ETFs (GDX, GDXJ), and why miners can lag gold. Gold Philharmonic: Complete Buyer's Guide Austrian Gold Philharmonic specs, premiums, and buying guide. Europe's best-selling gold coin at .9999 fine purity since 1989. Gold Portfolio Allocation How much gold to own: research-backed allocation data, advisor recommendations, implementation methods, and the cost of over-allocating. Gold Premiums Explained: What You Pay Over Spot How gold premiums work, typical ranges by product type, why premiums spike during crises, and strategies to minimize your cost per ounce. Gold Price Forecast and Outlook for 2026 Gold price forecast for 2026 with bank targets, key drivers, supply-demand analysis, and scenarios for higher and lower prices. Gold Price History: From $35 to All-Time Highs Gold price history from Bretton Woods through 2025 highs. Key eras, data points, and inflation-adjusted returns across five decades. Gold Purity and Karat System Explained Gold purity guide covering karats, millesimal fineness, assay methods, and why investment gold ranges from .9167 to .9999 fine. Gold Sales Tax by State State-by-state guide to sales tax on gold and silver bullion. Exempt states, threshold exemptions, and states that tax precious metals. Gold Sales Tax in Arizona Arizona exempts legal tender coins, bullion, and specie under A.R.S. Section 42-5061. The distinction between legal tender and non-legal-tender rounds has historically mattered. Full rules and buyer guidance. Gold Sales Tax in California California sales tax on gold and silver: the $2,000 single-transaction exemption, local rates up to 10.75%, and what qualifies as monetized bullion under Regulation 1599. Gold Sales Tax in Florida Florida exempts gold and silver bullion sales above $500 per item under Statute 212.05. Below the threshold, the 6% state rate plus local surtaxes apply. Rules, examples, and buyer guidance. Gold Sales Tax in Georgia Georgia exempts gold, silver, and platinum bullion and coins from sales tax under O.C.G.A. Section 48-8-3(88). Full exemption rules since 2018, no threshold, all local taxes avoided. Gold Sales Tax in Illinois Illinois fully exempts legal tender, medallions, and gold bullion from sales tax under 35 ILCS 120/2-5. No threshold. Combined state and local rates avoided on all qualifying purchases. Gold Sales Tax in New York New York exempts precious metals bullion and coins sold at $1,000 or more under Tax Law Section 1115(a)(27). Below the threshold, combined state and local rates up to 8.875% apply. Gold Sales Tax in Ohio Ohio fully exempts investment metal bullion and coins from sales tax since October 2021 under Revised Code Section 5739.02(B)(54). Rules, history of the 2019 repeal and restoration, and buyer guidance. Gold Sales Tax in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania fully exempts legal tender coins and investment metal bullion from sales tax under 61 Pa. Code Section 32.21. No threshold, no local tax. Buyer guidance and regional context. Gold Sales Tax in Texas Texas exempts gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion and legal tender coins from sales tax under Tax Code Section 151.336. Full exemption rules, the Texas Bullion Depository, and buyer guidance. Gold Sales Tax in Washington Washington fully exempts precious metals bullion, monetized bullion, and numismatic coins from sales tax under RCW 82.04.062 and WAC 458-20-248. Rules, B&O tax context, and buyer guidance. Gold vs. Bitcoin Gold vs Bitcoin comparison: volatility, scarcity mechanics, institutional adoption, custody, and the portfolio allocation case for both. Gold vs. Real Estate Gold vs real estate comparison: returns, liquidity, income, leverage, tax treatment, and inflation protection. Strengths and weaknesses of each. Gold vs. Silver Gold vs silver investment comparison: price ratio, volatility, premiums, storage costs, and industrial demand. Which metal fits your portfolio? Gold vs. Stocks Gold vs S&P 500: 50-year performance data, decade-by-decade returns, risk-adjusted analysis, drawdowns, and the 5-10% allocation argument. How the Gold Spot Price Works How gold spot price is determined through LBMA fixing and COMEX futures. Understand premiums, bid-ask spreads, and what moves gold. How to Sell Gold: Best Methods, Process, and Timing Guide to selling gold bullion. Dealer buyback mechanics, local coin shop negotiation, r/PMsForSale, eBay fees, shipping, tax timing, and how to prepare coins and bars for sale. How to Store Gold Compare gold storage options: home safes, bank safe deposit boxes, and private depositories. Costs, insurance, and security tradeoffs. Taxes on Gold IRS rules for gold investing: 28% collectible tax rate, reporting requirements, cost basis methods, state sales tax, and gold IRA benefits. How to Invest in Gold Comprehensive guide covering bars, coins, ETFs, mining stocks, and IRAs. Best Gold ETFs GLD, IAU, SGOL, GLDM, and more ranked by expense ratio and structure. Best Gold Mining ETFs GDX vs GDXJ vs RING: senior miners, juniors, and royalty ETFs compared. How to Test Gold at Home Testing methods ranked by reliability: magnet, specific gravity, acid, XRF. Gold Bar Sizes and Weights Every common gold bar size from 1 gram to 400 ounce Good Delivery. Is Gold a Good Investment? Historical returns versus stocks, bonds, and real estate with real data. Cheapest Way to Buy Gold Ranked by total cost: large bars, coins, fractional, payment method impact. Capital Gains Tax on Gold The 28% collectibles rate, reporting thresholds, and state variations. Where to Sell Gold Online dealers, coin shops, marketplaces, pawn shops compared by payout. Sell Gold Jewelry Refiners, online buyers, jewelers, pawn shops: expected payout ranges. Gold IRA vs Physical Gold Side-by-side: tax treatment, control, fees, storage, liquidity. Gold Estate Planning Stepped-up basis, gifting limits, trusts, and documentation for heirs. How Much Gold Should You Own? The 5-15% allocation rule, portfolio examples, and age-based adjustments. First Gold Purchase Guide Specific product and dealer recommendations by budget tier. Gold Bars vs Coins vs Rounds Three-way comparison: premiums, liquidity, and recognition. Gold Futures Explained COMEX contracts, margin, leverage, and why retail should usually avoid. Proof Coins Explained When proof coins hold value and when they are just expensive bullion. Graded Coins Explained NGC vs PCGS, the Sheldon scale, and when grading adds real value. Numismatic vs Bullion The distinction that saves beginners from overpaying on collectible coins. Gold Confiscation History What Executive Order 6102 actually did and why modern confiscation is improbable. Buy Gold with Crypto Which dealers accept crypto, payment flow, and dual-tax-event implications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gold a good investment in 2026?
Gold has historically served as a store of value and inflation hedge. Whether it is a good investment depends on your portfolio goals, time horizon, and allocation strategy. Most financial advisors suggest allocating 5-15% of a portfolio to precious metals. Gold tends to perform well during periods of economic uncertainty, currency debasement, and geopolitical instability.
What is the best way to invest in gold?
The most common ways to invest in gold include buying physical bullion (bars and coins), investing in gold ETFs (like GLD or IAU), purchasing shares of gold mining companies, or opening a Gold IRA for tax-advantaged retirement savings. Physical gold offers direct ownership with no counterparty risk, while ETFs provide liquidity and convenience. The best choice depends on your investment size, storage preferences, and tax situation.
How much gold should I own in my portfolio?
Most financial advisors recommend allocating between 5% and 15% of your total investment portfolio to precious metals, with gold being the primary allocation. Conservative investors may lean toward 5%, while those concerned about inflation or systemic risk may allocate up to 20%. The right amount depends on your age, risk tolerance, and overall financial goals.
Should I buy gold bars or gold coins?
Gold bars typically carry lower premiums over spot price, making them more cost-efficient for larger purchases. Gold coins (like American Eagles or Canadian Maple Leafs) offer easier divisibility, government-guaranteed weight and purity, and greater liquidity when selling. For most investors, a mix of both works well: bars for bulk investment and coins for flexibility.
Do I have to pay taxes on gold?
Yes. In the United States, physical gold is classified as a collectible by the IRS and is subject to a maximum long-term capital gains tax rate of 28%, higher than the standard 15-20% rate for stocks. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income. Dealers are also required to report certain transactions on IRS Form 1099-B. State sales tax varies. Some states exempt precious metals purchases while others do not.