EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: Since writing this review, Regal Assets has had a TON of negative feed. Over the second half of 2022 there have been many extremely negative and disturbing reviews about the Regal Assets company. We will be stripping ALL links to Regal Assets and we DO NOT recommend them at all. It's very obvious that something big changed with this company (the owner has disappeared). IGNORE all information about Regal Assets in this review until we are able to change it. Again, do NOT do business with Regal Assets.

Have you been hearing more and more about inflation? Do you want to be able to hedge against inflation with an investment that isn't tied to the US dollar? If so, purchasing physical gold is an excellent option.

In addition to hedging against inflation, gold is just an all-around good investment. Historically, it has been highly coveted and used as the basis for currency for many countries. Gold continues to be in high demand, and since there are limited gold supplies, this works to keep driving its value up.

Buying physical gold also allows you to diversify your investment portfolio. This is crucial, because if the stock market crashes or takes a major downturn, you can be significantly impacted if all of your money is held in stocks. But, when you invest some of your money in gold, it lessens the impact of a market downturn.

When you're looking to buy physical gold, there are a few different ways to do it. You can always purchase gold coins and bars from a reputable online dealer and have them sent to you for home storage or storage in a facility of your choice.

The other option you have is to open a Gold IRA which will allow you to hold your physical gold coins and bars in a retirement account. This lets you take advantage of the tax rules for IRA holders, while also helping ensure that you're financially set for retirement.

Regardless of the option you choose, one of the gold dealers we've reviewed below can help you meet your goals. Each of these gold dealers offer a nice selection of gold coins and bars and can also help their customers set up a Gold IRA to save for retirement. Continue reading to choose which company you'd like to use to purchase physical gold coins and/or bars.

Gold Dealer Reviews

#1. Goldco


Goldco

If you're looking to buy physical gold, Goldco is our top recommendation. Since the company was founded by Trevor Gerszt in 2006, it has earned a highly positive reputation in the gold investment industry. Goldco has received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, a Triple A rating from the Business Consumer Alliance, and very high ratings form past customers.

Goldco offers to different options for customer looking to purchase gold: they can help you set up a Gold IRA, or you can purchase individual coins and bars as a personal investment. If you'd like to open a Gold IRA, a member of the Goldco team can work with you to set up the transfer of fund from your bank account or rollover the funds from an existing retirement account.

You'll find that Goldco offers an impressive selection of IRA-approved gold coins for their investors. These coins all meet the 99.5% pure requirements laid out by the IRS. You can choose from:

  • Gold American Bald Eagle Coin
  • Gold American Eagle Coin
  • Gold American Eagle Proof
  • Gold Buffalo Coin
  • Gold Maple Leaf Coin
  • Royal Mint Gold Lunar Series: 2016-Year of the Monkey Coin
  • Royal Mint Gold Lunar Series: 2017-Year of the Rooster Coin
  • Royal Mint Gold Lunar Series: 2018-Year of the Dog Coin
  • Royal Mint Gold Lunar Series: 2019-Year of the Pig Coin
  • Gold Lucky Dragon Coin
  • Gold Australian Saltwater Crocodile Coin
  • PAMP Suisse and Perth Mint Gold Bars in 1 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz, 100 oz, and various other sizes

In addition to these gold coins and bars, Goldco also offers silver coins and bars. You can consider adding some of these to your portfolio alongside your gold pieces for further diversification.

Whether you purchase gold for a Gold IRA or as a personal investment, Goldco takes care of shipping it to you or the IRS-approved depository. You can rest easy knowing your metals are securely packaged and insured on their way to you or the depository.


Pros:

  • Goldco has been in business since 2006 and is highly trusted by reviewers and review organizations alike.
  • They offer a vast selection of gold coins and bars to choose from.
  • They offer a free self-directed IRA guide if you'd like to learn more about investing in gold and other precious metals.

Cons:

  • Goldco only offers gold and silver; you cannot also invest in platinum or palladium.


Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta Precious Metals is another one of the best places to buy physical gold coins or bars. The team at Augusta Precious Metals can help you diversify your portfolio by purchasing gold as a personal investment or for a new Gold IRA. They can also help you determine whether an existing retirement account is eligible for a rollover.

If you're interested in a rollover, the team member at Augusta Precious Metals will connect you with an IRA custodian from top-rated custodian companies like GoldStar Trust Company, Kingdom Trust, or Equity Trust.

Augusta Precious Metals customers can choose from premium gold and common gold bullion. Many of these options are IRA-eligible coins, and all of them can be purchased as a personal investment. Below are the gold pieces you can purchase through Augusta Precious Metals:

Common Gold Bullion

  • Gold American Buffalo 1 oz BU (random year)
  • Gold American Eagle .25 oz BU (random year)
  • Gold American Eagle .10 oz BU (random year)
  • South African Gold Krugerrand 1 oz (random year)
  • Austrian 1 oz Gold Philharmonic BU (random year)
  • Gold Canadian Maple Leaf 1 oz BU (random year)
  • Gold Bar 10 oz
  • Gold Bar 1 oz

Premium Gold

  • Certified American Eagle
  • Certified American Buffalo
  • Gold American Eagle Proof
  • American Gold Buffalo Proof
  • 2014 Canadian .25 oz Gold $10 Arctic Fox
  • 2015 Canadian .25 oz Gold $10 Polar Bear and Cub
  • 2016 Canadian .25 oz Gold $10 White Falcon
  • 2017 Royal Canadian Mint .25 oz Gold Eagle
  • $20 Saint Gaudens
  • $10 Indian
  • $5 Indian
  • $2.5 Indian
  • $20 Liberty
  • $10 Liberty
  • $5 Liberty
  • $2.5 Liberty
  • 5 Piece Certified Indian Set
  • 5 Piece Certified Liberty Set
  • Commemorative 1984 Olympics Coin
  • 2016 .25 oz British £25 Gold Standard

Augusta Precious Metals has been a trusted name in the gold industry since they were founded in 2012. They believe in helping each customer meet their own personal financial goals and place a high value of forming a partnership and working closely with each customer. Augusta Precious Metals has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a Triple A rating from the Business Consumer Alliance.


Pros:

  • You can purchase coins and bars as a personal investment or add them to a Gold IRA.
  • The Augusta Precious Metals team places a high emphasis on working with each customer and meeting their specific needs.
  • They offer a nice selection of gold coins.

Cons:

  • Some other companies may offer a greater selection of IRA-approved gold coins.


Birch Gold Group

Next up is Birch Gold Group, another top choice if you are looking to purchase physical gold coins and bars. With their nearly 20 years of experience, Birch Gold Group promises to be a trustworthy company that you'll enjoy working with. Their team works to empower customers educate them to make the right financial decisions. They also place a high standard on being ethical and transparent in all of their transactions.

Some of the various gold coins and bars offered by Birch Gold Group include:

Many of the above choices are IRA-approved precious metals you can add to a Gold IRA. If you're looking to purchase coins as a personal investment, you can choose from any of the options listed above, since you aren't restricted by IRS regulations when it comes to making a personal investment.

  • American Gold Eagle (proof)
  • American Gold Eagle (bullion)
  • American Buffalo Coin
  • Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
  • Gold Polar Bear and Cub Coin
  • Gold Twin Maples Coin
  • Gold Gyrfalcon Coin
  • Australian Nugget/Kangaroo Coin
  • Austrian Philharmonic Coin
  • Gold Rose Crown Guinea Coin
  • Valcambi Combi Bars
  • Various Gold Bars and Rounds
  • Gold Indian Head Eagle $10 Coin
  • Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle $20 Coin
  • Liberty Head Double Eagle $20 Coin
  • Liberty Head (Coronet Head) Collection

Pros:

  • You can also invest in silver, platinum, and palladium with Birch Gold Group.
  • Gold for IRAs can be stored in the Delaware Depository or with Brinks Global Services, both highly reputable and trustworthy storage options.
  • Birch Gold Group has almost 20 years of experience.

Cons:

  • Some other companies offer a greater selection of non-IRA-approved gold coins.

#4. Regal Assets (NO LONGER RECOMMENDED)


Regal Assets

If you choose to purchase your gold coins and bars from Regal Assets, you'll appreciate their no-pressure sales approach. Regal Assets, which has been ranked #20 in the financial services category on the INC 500, is also very transparent about the fees and commissions they charge, so what you see is what you'll get.

Regal Assets offers a nice selection of gold coins that you can add to a Gold IRA or purchase as a personal investment. However, one of the things that sets Regal Assets apart from other companies are their special Regal IRAs. With a Regal IRA, you're able to hold gold (along with silver, platinum, and palladium) and cryptocurrencies in the same retirement savings account.

Below are the various gold coins and bars and cryptocurrencies that Regal Assets offers for its special Regal IRAs:

Gold

  • Gold American Buffalo Coin
  • Gold American Eagle Coin
  • Gold Chinese Panda Coin
  • Gold South African Krugerrand Coin
  • Gold Austrian Philharmonic Coin
  • Gold Canadian Maple Leaf Coin
  • Gold Britannia Coin
  • 1 kl Credit Suisse Gold Bar
  • 10 oz Credit Suisse Gold Bar
  • 1 oz Credit Suisse Gold Bar
  • 50 gm Credit Suisse Gold Bar
  • 20 gm Credit Suisse Gold Bar
  • 10 gm Credit Suisse Gold Bar
  • 5 gm Credit Suisse Gold Bar
  • 2.5 gm Credit Suisse Gold Bar
  • 1 gm Credit Suisse Gold Bar

Cryptocurrencies

  • Bitcoin
  • Ethereum
  • Litecoin
  • Zcash
  • Stellar
  • XRP
  • Tezos

Pros:

  • With a Regal IRA, you can invest in gold and cryptocurrencies.
  • Regal Assets also offers special investment packages to help individuals prepare for an emergency or major event.
  • You can choose to have your gold stored in the secure Dallas, Texas storage facility.

Cons:

  • If you want to set up an IRA, you must have a minimum of $5,000 to invest.

Noble Gold

As a final option, you'll also want to take a close look at Noble Gold when you're looking to purchase physical gold. Noble Gold works with a variety of precious metals sellers, which means they are able to offer competitive pricing on gold coins and bars. They also offer a buyback program to help you sell your gold back in the event that your situation changes after you make a purchase.

In addition to gold, Noble Gold also offers silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars for their investors. You can purchase precious metals for a Gold IRA or as a personal investment. Below are the gold coins and bars offered by Noble Gold that are approved to be held in an IRA.

  • American Gold Eagle Proof Coins
  • American Gold Eagle Coins
  • Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coins
  • Australian Gold Kangaroo Coins
  • Austrian Gold Philharmonic Coins
  • Pamp Suisse Lady Fortuna Gold Bars
  • Pamp Suisse 100 Gram Gold Bar
  • Perth Mint 1-Ounce Gold Bar
  • Johnson Matthey 1-Kilograph Gold Bar
  • Four-Piece Set Proof Gold American Eagle Coins

If you'd like to purchase gold as a personal investment, you can choose from any of the IRA-approved options above, or from some of the other rare and collectible gold coins offered by Noble Gold. You can find the full list of these coins on their website.


Pros:

  • You can invest in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium with Noble Gold.
  • Due to their connections with various precious metals sellers, Noble Gold is able to offer very competitive pricing.
  • Noble Gold also offers special Royal Survival Packs that include a mix of precious metals starting at a $5,000 investment up to a $500,000 investment.

Cons:

  • Unlike some other companies, Noble Gold's website is not as transparent about the fees and commissions you'll be charged.

Buying Guide

With the number of online companies that sell gold coins and bars, there is no reason not to be selective and find exactly what you are looking for. We've outlined some key considerations to keep in mind as you look for the right online gold dealer.

Service

Purchasing gold coins or bars is a large investment. You want to work with a company that will offer you the service you deserve for that sort of investment. Additionally, you want to feel confident that should you have any questions about investing that someone will be able to give you a clear answer.

Look for a gold investment company that offers top-notch customer service. Confirm that when you have a question, you'll be able to speak with a live representative over the phone and won't have to rely on email or chat.

Selection of Coins and Bars

Next, you'll want to look for a gold investment company that offers a large selection of gold coins and bars. As you begin comparing the different companies out there, you'll notice that some offer a much greater selection than others. If there are specific coins or bars you want to purchase, be sure to prioritize finding a company that offers these selections.

Reputation and Trustworthiness

Finally, finding a company you can trust should also be of utmost importance. Look for reviews from past customers to confirm that individuals were pleased with their experience working with the company.

You can also look for reviews from the Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance. Companies with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a Triple A rating from the Business Consumer Alliance have earned a positive reputation in the industry and established themselves as a company worthy of your trust.

Top Pick


All of the gold dealers we reviewed above can help you diversify your portfolio and protect your financial future by purchasing physical gold coins or bars. However, while we like all of these companies, we chose Goldco as our top pick. Goldco has 15 years of experience in the gold investment industry and tons of satisfied customers. They have worked hard to earn their excellent reputation and are deserving of your business.

If you choose to purchase your physical gold from Goldco, you'll enjoy a nice selection of gold coins and bars that you can have shipped directly to you or added to a new Gold IRA. You'll find that the team at Goldco is experienced, knowledgeable, and helpful to help you start achieving all of your financial goals.

Which of the five gold investment companies that we reviewed is your favorite? Head over to their website today to choose the gold coins and bars you'd like to purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I buy gold online or in-person?

When you evaluate each option, you'll find that there are some pros and cons associated with buying gold online as well as in-person. Ultimately, you'll need to make the decision that feels best for you.

Buying gold online is very convenient. You can shop whenever you have time, even if it is outside of normal business hours. Online shopping can also be more private, and you won't need to worry about others in your town seeing you at a gold dealer. Shopping online can also help you avoid pushy sales people at an in-person gold dealer.

If you shop in an in-person shop, you do have the advantage of seeing the gold coins and bars in person, and you can even walk away with the physical gold that same day. However, you may find that prices are a bit higher in local gold shops that they are online. Sometimes gold dealers have higher premiums, which can mean more money out of your pocket.

2. Is buying gold online safe?

When you take some time and research the company you choose to use, buying gold online can be completely safe. Always look for companies that are well-established and have plenty of high reviews from customers.

Many companies also offer free shipping and free insurance during transit. This can help you feel more confident that your gold coins and bars will make it to you without getting lost or damaged.

3. Is gold a good investment?

Yes, gold can be a great investment. It has historically risen in value and been used as the basis of many currencies. Since gold is in high demand around the world, but offers a limited supply, signs point to its value continuing to rise.

Since gold is so desired, when you decide you're ready to sell your investment, finding a buyer should not be difficult. You can likely get cash for your gold that same day. Compare this to other investments, such as real estate, and you can see why many individuals choose to invest in gold.