Bars give you the most metal per dollar. Coins give you liquidity and divisibility. The deciding question is not which is better — it is whether you will ever need to sell part of the position.
Spot is not a price you can buy at. The premium is the part you control — how it scales with size and fabrication, why the buy-back spread matters more, and how to compare dealers on one number.
Physical gold is taxed as a collectible, not like a stock — long-term gains are capped at 28%, and your cost basis includes the premium over spot. What a CPA would tell you to keep.
Last updated: August 2026 About this guide: This page is reviewed for tax treatment, rollover mechanics, and account-structure accuracy by a Certified Public Accountant on our team. It reflects independent research and is not personalized tax, legal, or investment advice. Speak with a qualified...
Last updated: August 2026 About this guide: This page is reviewed for accuracy against TreasuryDirect.gov rate data by a Certified Public Accountant on our team. It reflects independent research and is not personalized tax, legal, or investment advice. Speak with a qualified advisor about your...
