A coin and a bar can look equally priced until you divide by the weight. Here is how to compare them fairly using cost per gram of fine gold.
Short answer: divide the all-in price by the grams of fine gold in each product, and compare those numbers. Remember that some coins weigh more than their fine gold content, so use the fine weight, not the total weight.
A coin stamped one troy ounce contains 31.1035 g of pure gold, but a coin made of an alloy, such as 22 karat, may weigh more in total. What you are paying for is the pure gold, called the actual gold weight.
The premium over spot calculator does this for any product.
Larger bars tend to have a lower premium per gram, because the costs of fabrication and handling are spread over more metal. Small bars and collectible coins carry higher premiums.
A lower price per gram only helps if you can sell the product easily. Popular coins and recognised bars tend to be easy to sell. Ask for each product's buyback price as well, because that is what you will receive, and consider size, since a very large bar is harder to sell in part.
Record the fine weight and total cost of each piece so your average cost per gram stays accurate across coins and bars.
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