Spot Price vs. Product Price

What Does The Spot Price of Gold Mean?

Many first-time investors ask us why the price listed for our coins and bars is different than the current “spot price” or “market price” of gold or silver that we list on a ticker on our website and is also frequently quoted in financial media sources.

The reasons are actually quite simple, once you consider what each of those price points actually means.

Bullion Coin & Bar Price

Gold and silver coins and bars are made available to individual investors in sizes ranging from 1 gram to 1 kilogram (32.15 Troy ounces), including the popular weight of 1 Troy ounce (31.1 grams). Examples include gold and silver bars, plus coins like the American Eagle, American Buffalo, Canadian Maple Leaf, South African Krugerrand, etc. The price that dealers charge for these items takes into account the current spot price for gold or silver, in addition to costs related to refining the metal to remove impurities, manufacturing usable form factors (minting of the coins and pressing or pouring of the bars), transportation and distribution, administration, and other expenses related to the precious metals supply chain. The result is a product that typically trades between 2% and 15% higher than the spot price of the metal on the COMEX. This should not be mistaken as sales commissions, transaction fees, or dealer margin. The percentage over spot is generally less as the unit size increases (a 1 kilogram bar has a lower price over spot than a 1 gram bar does) and is also generally lower for gold than for silver. The supply of a specific type of coin or bar can also drive fluctuations in the price. For example, a particular coin may have a particularly desirable design or limited mintage, which makes it more popular on the market, thereby driving up the price.

Investment Grade Coins

The above information does not apply to the market for Investment Grade Coins. These coins have been certified by a third party to assess and guarantee their year of issue, condition and catalog their rarity. Examples include a 2012 Gold American Eagle certified in Proof 70 condition or a Double Eagle from the Old West certified in MS65 condition. The value of investment grade coins is determined by supply and demand, just like other high-end hard assets (real estate, fine art, antiques, classic cars, etc.) and their market value is not tracked on an index, though a history of recent selling price, auction results and professional estimates can provide an estimate of current value. Investment grade coins are considered to be a more secure investment since historical data indicates much less volatility, along with more steady market performance. Rarity is the key factor that drives the price up over time. Selecting the right coin is key, and our firm can help you do that.