As a savvy investor, you may decide to add gold to your portfolio. If you’re wondering whether to purchase bars or coins, each has pros and cons as an investment vehicle. Learn about each so you can make a sound financial decision. 

Gold Bars

Weighing anywhere from 1 to 10 ounces, bars are produced by private mints using gold that is .9999% fine, or 24-carat. Because they’re considerably larger than coins, bars are suitable for investors who want to purchase a high volume of precious metals.

Plus, coins cost more to produce, making bars fiscally more attractive. But that means when it comes time to sell, you can expect lower premiums on bars versus coins. 

Because bars come in standard rectangular slabs, they’re easy to store, even in large quantities. Additionally, this standardization means they’re relatively easy to liquidate as needed. 

Gold Coins 

Coins are ideal for investors who are averse to putting too much money in a single commodity. You can start out small by purchasing a few coins at a time. Because they come in much smaller quantities and have legal tender status, liquidating them is even easier than selling bars. 

In terms of practicality, coins are much easier to store than bars because of their size. But keep in mind that their lack of standardization can pose a challenge for authentication. Coins can vary immensely in size, shape, design, and overall value. They may also have impurities. Some are even as low as 22 carats. 

When you’re ready to add gold to your investment portfolio, head to Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin. Located in Honolulu, this family-owned business has bought, sold, and appraised coins for almost 50 years. Their highly knowledgeable team also authenticates paper money and stamps. To learn more about their exceptional services, visit their website or call (808) 531-6251.