How To Invest In Gold For Beginners

For beginner investors, gold represents an accessible asset class to start portfolio diversification. Often perceived as complex, the variety of gold investment options, ranging from physical coins to securities, can deter newcomers. However, with a basic understanding of the upsides and downsides of different gold instruments, new investors can confidently enter this market aligned with their risk appetite. Still, you need to consider whether electronic or physical ownership is more suitable, your investment time horizon, and your objectives such as risk management or speculation.

In this guide, we’ll help you understand the different methods of owning gold and outline clear steps to help you get started.

Here’s what you need to know about investing in gold as a beginner.

For investors looking to allocate capital into gold for the first time, physical bullion coins represent one of the most tangible and direct options. Starting small is a sensible way to begin your precious metals journey. Beginners can opt for fractional sizes of popular investment-grade products like the American Gold Eagle, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, or South African Gold Krugerrand, which can be purchased from reputable dealers starting from as low as 1/10th ounce. Our recommendation is to start with Gold Sovereigns which are a similar size to quarter ounce fractional coins but have two main advantages. They can be bought at a lower price per gram than the fractional bullion coins and are free from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for UK investors.

When choosing a gold dealer, first-time buyers should consider factors like the firm’s reputation in the industry, transparent pricing, online functionalities like live gold price charts or integrated storage, and the security of the gold purchasing and delivery methods offered. Specialist services tailored to guiding new investors on best practices for accumulating physical gold are highly valuable.

By selecting from fractional coin sizes, beginners can gain exposure in this asset class from just several hundred pounds. This direct form of ownership builds familiarity before considering higher-risk gold investments. An incremental monthly savings plan to steadily accumulate gold over time can smooth out price volatility.

First Time Purchasing Gold

When ready to make their first investment, we recommend beginners start by purchasing fractional physical gold coins or bars from reputable dealers like Physical Gold. Our easy ordering platforms allow customisation across product type, quantity, size, and insured delivery. Support teams provide personal guidance for newcomers on maximising value.

Consider starting a small position then pound-cost averaging through consistent monthly buys. This smooths entry points across metal price fluctuations. Storage solutions and tax implications should also be researched in parallel based on individual state regulations.

Safely securing physical gold is critical, with solutions dependent on total holding values:

• Home safes (small holdings)
• Bank safe deposit boxes (medium holdings)
• Insured bullion vault services (large holdings)

We also advise spreading across locations for improved diversification.

While buying gold does provide inflation-hedging benefits as a store of value, some downsides for beginners to consider include:

• No passive income generation – Physical gold bars and coins do not provide dividend or interest payments like bonds or dividend stocks. The only potential upside comes from price appreciation if values rise.
• Volatility risk – As with any investment, gold prices can be subject to market volatility in the short to medium term before often stabilising over longer periods. Price swings can lead to emotional decision-making if not prepared.
• Storage risks and costs – Insuring gold against theft or damage carries expenses, whether paying for home storage upgrades or external custodial services. Include such costs when projecting total returns.

Conducting measured due diligence allows the alignment of different gold instruments to your personal investing goals within an appropriate risk range and timeline.

Buying and selling gold exposure can carry certain legal and tax obligations for UK investors, including:

• Value Added Tax (VAT) – Investment grade physical gold qualifies for a VAT exemption. To meet these requirements, gold has to be in the form of either coins or bars and be at least 22 carats in fineness, which equates to around 91.66% pure. Ensure the gold you buy meets these requirements if you want to maximise cost efficiency. Bars and jewellery without such pedigrees attract a 20% VAT bill.
• Capital Gains Tax (CGT) – Generating profits from selling gold owned for over 12 months risks CGT becoming due once returns exceed the £6,000 personal tax-free allowance ceiling, which will fall to £3,000 in 2024/2025. Always factor this into projections around possible upside. No CGT is applicable to legal tender gold coins sold within an investor’s land of residence. That means Sovereigns and Britannia coins (and most other Royal Mint produced gold coins) are CGT-free for UK investors. Certain gold securities happen to be CGT-exempt.
• Inheritance Tax – The Inheritance Tax Act normally exempts physical gold passing to beneficiaries through one’s estate, as long as appropriately stored in insured UK vaults, home safes, or bank safe deposit boxes.
• Reporting Requirements – Offshore gold vault locations and holdings above specific value thresholds can require filing declarations with HMRC. Understand key jurisdictional responsibilities tied to storage selections.

With evolving tax codes, engaging accredited advisors helps fully illuminate the regs impacting larger gold investments.

Once new gold investors graduate from initial purchases to building positions, it becomes important to create longer-term maintenance plans to maximise growth potential. Rather than constantly buying and selling based on short-term predictions or emotions, focus instead on sticking to an appropriate overall mix of physical gold and other assets.

Over time, review your portfolio at least yearly to rebalance parts that became too large or small compared to original targets. Trim back gold holdings that grew very large by selling some, and boost areas lagging behind, like stocks, by adding more there. Blending coins, bars, mining stocks, and gold ETFs can balance risk.

Check also that storage and insurance properly protect your gold as the value grows. Upgrade home safes, bank deposit boxes or specialised vault services when holdings get large. Make sure you follow reporting rules on bigger amounts held overseas.

The key is managing gold and the entire portfolio mix to match your long-term investing plan, not chasing temporary gains and trends. Doing so can help investments produce steady growth over many years.

Our automated portfolio builder will provide suggestions based on various investment objectives.

Is it good to invest in gold for beginners?

Yes, buying physical gold in the form of reputable bullion coins represents an excellent starting point for novice investors. Gold provides a tangible asset to diverse portfolios and hedges against inflation or market declines. Leading gold coins like Eagles, Maples, and Britannias allow newcomers to gain exposure from fractional 1/10 ounce sizes starting at lower prices.

How to invest in gold with little money?

The options forgetting started in gold with limited budgets include fractional bullion coins, gold jewellery, gold-based ETFs, andsavings plans with consistent monthly investment contributions. The top fractional coins for small investments are the 1/10 oz American Gold Eagle, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins, orAustralian Kangaroo Nuggets.

Is gold a good way to make money?

Investing in physical gold can generate money if bullion coin/bar prices appreciate over time. However, gold should be viewed as a long-term protective asset against inflation rather than a speculative short-term trade. Though more volatile, gold company stocks and mutual funds can produce higher returns through dividends and market gains. Overall, allocations around 5-10% maximise portfolio stability.

How long should I hold gold for?

There is no set duration, but most experts advise investing in gold as a multi-year to lifetime strategy that can be passed on to heirs. Having an investing horizon of 5-10+ years allows for riding through periodic price corrections. Trading gold to time short-term price swings tends not to be as successful for average investors compared to long-term holds.