The right format depends on your preferences, budget, and intended use.
| Cast bar | Minted bar | Coin |
Cost of production | Low | Medium | High |
Finish | Rough | Smooth | Fine |
Government backing | No | No | Yes |
Security feature | Low | Low | High |
Premium | Low | Medium | High |
Which format should you choose?
Our buyback price is always based on metal content and spot price, not on format, so any premium you pay at purchase is a cost, not something you recover on resale. See How is my sell price calculated?
With that in mind:
If you're buying purely for metal value, cast bars give you the most metal per dollar. They have a lower premium, and premiums aren't recovered on resale.
If presentation matters to you, minted bars or coins offer a finer finish, but you're paying a premium for aesthetics, not resale value.
If you want government backing, security features, or worldwide recognition, coins offer that at the highest premium of the three.
Disclaimer: The above is not financial advice.