FAQ – Investment Gold and Silver

Looking for answers about investment gold and silver? We have put together an overview of the most frequent questions from GOLDU clients – how to buy investment gold and silver, how buy-back works, what fineness bars have, why gold is exempt from VAT while silver is subject to VAT, and how price fixing and delivery work.

Buying investment gold and silver

How do I buy investment gold and silver?

Investment gold and silver can be bought safely online from a specialised precious metals dealer. At GOLDU you choose from the offer of investment gold and investment silver – especially gold bars, gold coins, silver bars and silver coins –, create an order, and upon its submission we fix the price for you to pay.

What is investment gold?

Investment gold is physical gold intended mainly for preserving value. It is most often sold as gold bars and investment gold coins. Weight, fineness, origin, manufacturer and tradability are key. In the GOLDU offer you will find products from major global suppliers and reputable refineries and mints (LBMA Good Delivery) that are well recognised and tradable internationally.

What is investment silver?

Investment silver is physical silver for long-term holding, portfolio diversification or regular buying. It is most often sold as silver bars and investment silver coins. Unlike investment gold, investment silver is not exempt from VAT – so VAT applies when buying silver.

What is the difference between investment gold and silver?

Gold is usually a more stable store of value and is exempt from VAT within the EU when the statutory conditions are met. Silver is often more affordable and more volatile, but is subject to VAT. The choice depends on your goals, budget and investment horizon.

Is a gold bar or an investment gold coin better?

It depends on the purpose of the purchase. Gold bars suit clients who watch the price per gram and want to build value in physical gold efficiently; smaller bars suit beginners, regular smaller purchases or a valuable gift. Investment gold coins are popular for their well-known designs, international recognisability and good tradability; the year of issue, mint, design and face value may also play a role.

Which products are suitable for beginners?

For beginners, smaller gram weights of gold bars are often suitable, for example 1g, 2g, 5g or 10g. They allow entry into physical investment gold with a lower amount and the gradual building of a portfolio. For larger purchases, higher gram weights or ounce products may be more advantageous, as they usually offer a better price-per-gram ratio.

Which suppliers does GOLDU buy from?

We buy exclusively from major global suppliers – reputable refineries on the LBMA Good Delivery list (e.g. Argor-Heraeus, PAMP, Valcambi) and from recognised state mints (Münze Österreich, The Royal Mint, The Perth Mint, Royal Canadian Mint and others). An overview is on the page Investment gold and silver refineries.

Price, VAT and taxes

How is the price of investment gold determined?

The price depends mainly on the current world gold price, the currency rate, the product's weight, the manufacturer, the type of processing, the trade margin and the current market situation. The price is shown directly at the specific item in the shop; upon submission of the order the price is fixed in accordance with the Delivery and Payment Terms.

Is investment gold exempt from VAT?

Yes. Investment gold is exempt from VAT within the EU when the statutory conditions are met. This applies in particular to investment gold bars and selected investment gold coins meeting the legal requirements.

Does VAT apply to investment silver?

Yes. VAT applies to investment silver; silver bars and coins are not exempt in the same way as investment gold. When comparing gold and silver, therefore count on a different tax regime.

Why does the gold price change?

The price changes according to supply and demand on global markets, currency-rate developments, inflation, interest rates, the geopolitical situation and investor sentiment. Physical gold is also affected by the availability of specific products, production costs and margins. Past performance is no guarantee of future developments – more in the document Risk Disclosure.

Authenticity, fineness and security

How do I recognise the authenticity of a gold bar or coin?

Authenticity is assessed by several features: manufacturer, weight, dimensions, fineness, certificate, protective packaging, serial number and overall execution. For reputable products, authenticity is supported by protective elements, for example a sealed blister, a certificate or special technology (Kinebar, Veriscan).

What does fineness 999.9/1000 Au mean?

Fineness 999.9/1000 Au means the product contains 999.9 parts of gold out of 1000 parts of material – a standard designation for the very high fineness of investment gold. For silver, the designation 999/1000 Ag is often used. For GOLDU products we state the manufacturer, origin and standard where relevant.

What is LBMA Good Delivery?

LBMA Good Delivery is a globally recognised quality standard for gold and silver refineries. Bars from refineries on this list are internationally recognised and easily tradable. More on the page Investment gold and silver refineries.

What is Kinebar?

Kinebar is a security technology used on selected gold bars. On the back of the bar there is a holographic protective element, Kinegram®, which increases protection against counterfeiting and makes visual verification easier.

What is Veriscan?

Veriscan is a security technology used on selected PAMP products. It allows verification of the bar's unique microscopic surface, which works like a fingerprint of the specific piece, and increases confidence in authenticity.

What is a certificate of authenticity (assay certificate)?

A certificate of authenticity (assay certificate, e.g. CertiPAMP or assay card) confirms the manufacturer, weight and fineness of the bar. For bars it is often part of the sealed blister and makes future sale and buy-back easier. We recommend keeping the certificate together with the product.

Order, price fixing, payment and delivery

What does price fixing mean?

Price fixing means that upon submission of the order the price is set according to the current conditions and is binding for 12 hours, within which the order must be paid. Because the price of gold and silver changes continuously, fixing protects both client and seller from a price change after the order is submitted.

How do I pay for the order?

You pay the order by bank transfer according to the payment instructions; by arrangement, cash payment on personal collection is also possible. You will find the bank details on the page Banking Details and specifics in the Delivery and Payment Terms.

Can I pay in EUR or USD?

Yes, we accept payments in CZK, EUR and USD. Current payment details are on the page Banking Details; for transactions in foreign currency please consider the exchange-rate risk.

How quickly are the goods dispatched?

All goods offered are in stock. Once payment is credited, the order is ready for dispatch or personal collection and we usually send it no later than the next business day.

How are the goods packed and are shipments insured?

The goods are checked before dispatch and packed discreetly in multiple protective layers without any indication of contents. Packing and dispatch take place under camera surveillance, and shipments are insured to the value of the goods. Details are in the Delivery and Payment Terms.

Is personal collection possible?

Yes, personal collection is possible by prior arrangement in Prague (BETA building – Brumlovka). Please arrange a time in advance – see Contact.

Buy-back of investment gold

How does gold buy-back work?

Buy-back is based on presenting the product, verifying authenticity, checking condition, weight, fineness and manufacturer, and setting the current buy-back price. After the check we tell you the final offer. Details are in the Conditions for the Purchase of Investment Gold.

Does GOLDU also buy back silver?

No. We buy back investment gold bars and investment gold coins only. We sell investment silver, but we do not buy it back. An overview of products we do not buy back is in the Conditions for the Purchase of Investment Gold.

Is the buy-back price the same as the sale price?

No. The sale price includes, besides the metal value, the costs of production, distribution, packaging, transport, storage, insurance and margin. The buy-back price is set according to the current market situation and the specific product and may be lower than the acquisition price.

Storage, risks and the nature of information

How do I store investment gold and silver safely?

Physical precious metals require safe storage (e.g. a home safe or a bank safe-deposit box) and ideally insurance. We recommend keeping products in the original sealed packaging together with the certificate, which makes later sale or buy-back easier.

What are the risks of investing in precious metals?

Precious metal prices fluctuate according to global market developments; the value of the investment can rise as well as fall, and past performance is no guarantee of future returns. A summary of risks is in the document Risk Disclosure and Nature of Information Provided.

Is buying gold investment advice?

No. The information on the GOLDU pages is of a general, informative nature and does not constitute investment advice or an individual recommendation. Each client should consider their financial situation, investment horizon and own goals.

Why buy from GOLDU?

Why choose GOLDU?

GOLDU is a specialised dealer in investment gold and silver. We focus on new, original and uncirculated products from major global suppliers and reputable refineries and mints; we never sell buy-back goods. We offer transparent prices, in-stock products, secure packaging and a professional approach – more on the page Why GOLDU.

What products does GOLDU offer?

The offer includes mainly investment gold bars and coins and investment silver bars and coins. We select products with emphasis on origin, quality, tradability and the credibility of the manufacturer.

Do you want to start buying investment gold or silver?

Browse the offer of investment gold and investment silver, or contact us – we will be happy to help you choose.