Costco added a several product lines of 24k Gold Bars to their online store and select warehouses last year, to which their members have taken quite a shine. These investment-grade gold bars are minted from 24k pure gold (.9999 fine) and are minted by a variety of private refineries.
Periodically, Costco will post gold bars for sale on their website at a fixed price relative to the current gold price.
On a recent trading day, Costco offer PAMP Suisse 1 oz Gold Bars for around $61 over that day’s gold price, which was a premium of around 2.6%. The lowest dealer price for the Lady Fortuna Gold Bar that day was around $76 over melt value, roughly 3.24%.
It’s estimated that they are selling up to 80,000 ounce per month. While the low premiums are low, many are maxing out the Executive Membership rewards while leveraging credit card offers to maximize cash back for buying gold bars.
Costco offers these various gold bars with a limited inventory like a “flash sale”. Once the available stock is sold out, the listing becomes inactive. The r/CostcoPM group on reddit tracks the latest offerings as they are available, but most Costco gold bars are sold out within an hour or two.
These same brands of gold bars are generally available in the bullion markets and can be bought from many trusted and reputable bullion dealers.
Most investors in physical gold bars will become familiar with the local coin stores in their area and will also have a handful of favorite online dealers. Not only can this be helpful in adding to your portfolio, but it is also good for down the road, when its time to sell. Local coins stores actively trade in precious metals due to their expertise in gold coins and are familiar with market conditions.
The employees at local coin stores can be extremely knowledgeable when it comes to tangible assets and will often have insights into the buy/sell spread in the local area. While online bullion dealers offer a large selection of products, including bars that are available in a variety of denominations that are less than a full ounce. Fractional gold bars are available in a range from as small as 1 gram to as large as 20 grams and are popular will investors with more modest budgets.
The smallest denomination available from Costco so far has been the 25 gram PAMP Multigram gold bar, which is comparable in price to a full 1 oz gold bar. Buyers looking for smaller denominations of fractional gold bars will have more choices shopping with online bullion dealers.
The brands that Costco has offered so far have been limited to those from PAMP Suisse and the Rand Refinery. Both are among the most reputable refineries and private mints, however, the cheapest 1 oz gold bars are often those from the secondary market.
RAND Refinery
Established in 1920, The RAND Refinery plays a central role in processing gold from the renowned South African gold mines. With over a century in operation, the RAND Refinery has established a strong reputation for reliability and quality in the global precious metals market which contributes to its trusted status among investors and collectors.
Depending on the market conditions, gold bars from the RAND Refinery can be cheaper and may be more cost-effective with a lower price per ounce compared to those from other refineries. RAND Refinery’s gold bars are a highly liquid investment that is recognized and accepted worldwide.
Costco Product Page: Item #1768080
RAND 100 Gram Gold Bar
Costco Product Page: Item #179644
PAMP Suisse
PAMP Suisse is a private mint based in Ticino, Switzerland. Established in 1977, the company has grown to become a leader in the precious metals industry with an outstanding reputation for producing gold bars of the highest quality. Each newly minted gold bar is produced to the industry standard of .9999 fineness and is accompanied by an assay certificate that guarantees its purity and weight.
PAMP Lady Fortuna Series
The Lady Fortuna has received several updates and refinements throughout its 45th year history, making it the most iconic and recognizable brand in the gold market.
Combined with PAMP Suisse’s industry leading Veriscan technology that captures the unique topographical characteristics of each gold bar. A mobile app is available that allows investors to instantly authenticate PAMP Suisse Gold Bars by uploading a series of images, which are then compared to those stored in Veriscan database during the time of minting. This anti-counterfeiting measure helps assure investors that they are buying genuine investment-grade gold bars.
PAMP 100 gram Lady Fortuna Gold Bar
Costco Product Page: Item #1801206
Costco Product Page: Item #1782174
PAMP 1 oz Lady Fortuna Gold Bar
Costco Product Page: Item #1748080
PAMP 20 gram Lady Fortuna Gold Bar
Costco Product Page: Item #1782171
Multigram+25 Gold Bars
The PAMP Multigram+ line contains various quantities of 1 gram gold bars in a single assay card. The card is divisible and each 1 gram gold bar can be separated while staying sealed within a mini assay card.
So far, Costco has only offered to Multigram+25, which contains 25 grams of .9999 fine gold. Other sizes in the product line include the Multigram+12, which contains 12 individually sealed one gram gold bars. Additionally, the Platinum Multigram+25 is also available, which can provide some additional diversity to your holdings.
PAMP Multigram+25 1 gram Gold Bars
Costco Product Page: Item #1811661
PAMP Rosa Series
The most distinctive feature of the Rosa series is the intricate rose design engraved on the bar’s obverse side. The detail, sophistication and precision of PAMP Suisse’s refining and minting process is showcased with PAMP Rosa design.
The Rosa design features a single, detailed rose in full bloom at the center of the bar. The rose, with its layered petals unfolding, is depicted with fine lines that showcase the intricacies of its natural form.
Surrounding the rose is a plain, mirror-like finish that contrasts with the textured detail of the rose encased within a border that frames the design, giving it a finished, refined look.
The reverse of the bar is stamped with the PAMP hallmark circles logo, along with the weight and purity information and a unique serial number that matches the tamper evident assay card.
Costco Product Page: Item #1782169
Costco Product Page:
PAMP Rosa 1 oz Gold Bar
Costco Product Page: Item #1782167
The Rosa design is one of the signature motifs from PAMP Suisse. The rose is a symbol of beauty, love, and often secrecy. The PAMP Rosa design taps into this rich symbolism and the universal appreciation for the flower’s beauty.
Each minted gold bar is made using a die-striking process that imprints the design onto the bar.
PAMP Lunar Legends Series
Like other PAMP Suisse products, the Lunar series bars are available in high purity .9999 fine gold. The designs are renowned for their intricate detailing and artistic quality. To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, PAMP Each bar features an image of the zodiac animal for that year, often depicted in a style that combines traditional and modern artistic elements.
The Azure Dragon is part of the Four Symbols and is considered important for creating balance and harmony in the environment. It is often paired with the White Tiger on the opposite side to balance yin and yang energies.
Each bar comes packaged in a tamper-evident assay card with an individual serial number and a certificate of authenticity.
PAMP Lunar Legends Azure Dragon 1 oz Gold Bar
Costco Product Page: Item #1778080
