Which size gold bar should I buy?
The most appropriate size will depend largely on your budget and the balance you want between lower premiums and flexibility.
Smaller bars cost less individually and allow a holding to be divided into smaller units. Larger bars will generally have a lower premium per gram but require more capital for each individual purchase and sale.
Physical Gold stocks a range of sizes including:
- 5g gold bars
- 10g gold bars
- 20g gold bars
- 50g gold bars
- 100g gold bars
- 250g gold bars
- 500g gold bars
- 1kg gold bars
For example, several smaller bars can provide greater flexibility if you later want to sell only part of your holding, while a larger bar may provide a lower overall premium per gram. + Read more
Understanding gold bar premiums
The price of a gold bar is based on the value of the gold it contains plus a premium. This reflects costs associated with refining, manufacturing and supplying physical bullion.
As a general rule, the larger the bar, the lower the premium per gram. Brand and availability can also affect the price you pay.
Investors primarily interested in gold content may also want to consider Best Value gold bars, where the emphasis is on obtaining investment-grade gold at a competitive premium rather than choosing a particular design or newly minted bar.
Our guide to how much a gold bar is worth explains how the spot price, weight and premium affect the value of a gold bar.
Metalor and LBMA-recognised gold bars
We stock investment gold bars from internationally established refiners, including Swiss refiner Metalor.
Metalor produces 999.9 fine gold bars in sizes ranging from 5g to 1kg and is included on the London Bullion Market Association’s Good Delivery List.
Buying bullion produced by an established refiner provides recognised standards of weight and purity. Depending on the product, bars may also include individual serial numbers, assay certification and tamper-evident packaging.
Tax on gold bars in the UK
Qualifying investment gold bars are exempt from VAT in the UK.
However, unlike qualifying British legal-tender gold coins such as Sovereigns and Britannias, gold bars are not exempt from Capital Gains Tax. If you sell gold bars at a gain, CGT may therefore be relevant depending on your individual circumstances and the applicable allowances.
For investors expecting to build a substantial holding, the different tax treatment of coins and bars may be an important factor when choosing between them.
Read our guide to the tax implications of gold and silver for more information.
Gold bar prices and the gold spot price
The value of a gold bar is closely linked to its weight and the underlying gold price.
You can use our live gold price chart to view the current gold price in pounds sterling and see how it has changed over time.
The price displayed for an individual gold bar will also include the applicable premium, so comparing the price per gram can be useful when choosing between different sizes and products.
Delivery and secure storage
Gold bars purchased from Physical Gold can be delivered using our free, fully insured UK delivery service. Orders are discreetly packaged and tracked.
Alternatively, customers who would prefer not to keep their bullion at home can choose specialist secure vault storage.
For current information about delivery arrangements, insurance and storage options, see our gold delivery and secure storage page.
Paying for your gold bars
Gold bars can be purchased online using the payment methods available at checkout, including debit card, credit card and bank transfer, subject to the applicable transaction limits.
For current payment limits, security information and the options available for larger purchases, see our guide to buying gold online with a debit or credit card.
Why buy gold bars from Physical Gold?
Physical Gold is a specialist precious-metals dealer based in London’s Hatton Garden. We offer investment gold bars in a wide range of sizes from established refiners, alongside Best Value options for investors focused on obtaining physical gold at competitive premiums.
Our team is available to answer questions about bar sizes, premiums, delivery and storage before you make a purchase.
For assistance, call 020 7060 9992 or email info@physicalgold.com.
