Compare Gold Prices Across Dealers

What you actually pay: spot price vs. premium

The spot price of gold — $4,166.43/oz as of Jun 11, 2026 · 2:47 PM ET — is the global benchmark set by futures markets. It's what an ounce of pure gold is worth in theory, but it isn't a price you can actually buy at. Every coin, bar, and round trades at a premium above spot that covers minting, distribution, and dealer margin. That premium is the number that decides who's truly cheapest, which is why this page ranks every product by premium rather than headline price.

Premiums move with demand and product availability. Across the gold coins we track, the average premium is about 6.83% over spot — currently Stable. When premiums sit at the low end of that range, it's a better time to buy. You can see the full trend on our gold premium history charts.

Gold coins vs. bars vs. rounds — which is cheapest?

The cheapest way to own gold by weight is almost always a bar. Bars from LBMA-accredited refiners like PAMP and Valcambi carry the lowest premiums — often just 0.1% over spot for a 1 oz bar — because they're simple to produce and carry no legal-tender markup. Rounds, which are privately minted and match coin purity without sovereign backing, usually sit just above bars.

Government-minted coins — American Gold Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, Krugerrands — cost a little more because you're paying for a sovereign purity guarantee, legal-tender status, and stronger resale recognition. For most buyers that premium is worth it on resale; for pure cost-per-ounce accumulation, bars win.

Compare all three on our gold coins, gold bars, and gold rounds pages.

Fractional vs. 1 oz gold

Gold coins and bars come in fractions — 1/2, 1/4, and 1/10 oz — for buyers who want a lower entry price or smaller units for resale. The trade-off is cost: smaller pieces carry a higher premium per ounce because minting costs are spread over less metal. A 1/10 oz gold coin can run several percent more per ounce than a 1 oz coin, even though the lowest 1/10 oz coin we track is only about $465 to buy outright. If your goal is the most gold for your money, stick to 1 oz; if it's affordability or giftability, fractional makes sense. Compare fractional gold by weight.

Pre-1933 & world gold coins (low-premium bullion)

Some of the lowest premiums on the board come from older sovereign gold — $20 Liberty and Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles, Austrian 100 Coronas, and Mexican 50 Pesos (Centenarios). These were struck as circulating money, carry real gold content, and trade primarily on their melt value, so common-date examples often sell at premiums close to — or below — modern bullion coins. They're a legitimate way to buy gold cheaply, with the bonus of historic appeal. Availability is less predictable than modern coins, so check the live comparison for what's in stock. Browse Pre-1933 US gold.

How to choose a trusted dealer

The lowest price only matters from a dealer you can trust. When you compare prices here, also weigh:

• Reputation — established dealers with a track record and verified customer reviews. Check our bullion dealer directory and reviews.
• Total landed cost — shipping, insurance, and payment-method pricing. Many dealers discount for paper check or wire versus credit card, and some offer free shipping over a threshold.
• Buy-back — a dealer who will repurchase what they sell, at a fair spread, makes exit easier.
• Authenticity — assay cards on bars, tamper-evident packaging, and clear sourcing.

Every price on this page links straight to the dealer's product listing, and we only compare dealers we track for live, in-stock pricing — see how we track prices. For more on selecting and vetting sellers, read our dealer reviews.

Popular gold products to compare

American Gold Eagle — 22-karat (.9167) with 1 oz of pure gold content, in 1, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/10 oz sizes. The most widely traded US bullion coin. Browse Gold Eagles.

Canadian Gold Maple Leaf — among the first .9999 fine sovereign coins, prized for purity and deep resale recognition. Browse Maple Leafs.

South African Krugerrand — the original modern bullion coin (1967), 22-karat with 1 oz pure gold; frequently one of the lowest-premium 1 oz coins. Browse Krugerrands.

Gold Britannia — .9999 fine from the Royal Mint, current issues featuring King Charles III. Browse Britannias.

Gold bars — PAMP, Valcambi, and other LBMA refiners, from 1 gram to 1 kilo, at the lowest premiums per ounce. Browse gold bars.

Gold in an IRA, storage & tax

Physical gold can be held in a self-directed precious-metals IRA, but the IRS requires most products to be .995+ fine (American Gold Eagles are a specific exception) and the metal must be held by an approved depository, not at home. Outside an IRA, you can store gold yourself or in allocated vaulting. Buying gold is generally not reported to the IRS; reporting can apply when you sell certain quantities, or on cash payments over $10,000. This isn't tax advice — confirm specifics with a tax professional.