Identified primary goal: inflation hedge / crisis insurance / wealth transfer / portfolio diversification
Written down goal and reasoning
Determined time horizon (5, 10, 20+ years)
Total investment portfolio value: $
Target gold percentage (5-15%): %
Target gold dollar amount: $
Equivalent in oz at current price: oz
Tip: Start with 1-2 oz for your first purchase. Complete the full process before scaling up.
| Product | Premium | Liquidity | Best For |
|---|
| Sovereign coins (1 oz) | 4-8% | Highest | Most investors |
| Gold bars (10 oz+) | 1-3% | Good | Larger allocations |
| Generic rounds | 2-4% | Lower | Budget-conscious |
| Gold ETFs | 0.1-0.4%/yr | Instant | Portfolio diversification |
Selected product form:
US Mint Authorized Purchaser — verified at usmint.gov
BBB Check — A or A+ rating, reviewed complaint history at bbb.org
Industry membership — PNG, ICTA, or ANA member
Physical address — confirmed real business location
Established history — 5+ years, thousands of reviews
CFTC enforcement check — no enforcement actions found
Dealer selected:
Checked live spot price at Kitco / APMEX / Google
Calculated premium %: (Product price - Spot) ÷ Spot × 100
Compared premiums across 2-3 dealers for same product
Factored in payment method (wire vs. card: 1-4% difference)
Calculated break-even price increase needed (~7-8% typical)
Storage method chosen: Home safe / Bank safe deposit box / Third-party vault
If home safe: UL-rated TL-15 minimum, fire-rated, anchored to floor/wall
If bank box: Aware not FDIC insured, access limited to banking hours
If vault: Reviewed facility insurance, annual cost (0.1-0.5% of value)
Storage solution is ready before gold arrives
Important: Never receive gold without a storage solution already in place.
Reviewed homeowner's/renter's policy precious metals cap (typically $1,000-$2,500)
Asked insurance agent about scheduled floater / inland marine rider
Considered specialty precious metals policy if holdings are significant
Confirmed coverage scope: theft, fire, flood, in-transit
Prepared documentation method: photos, weights, serial numbers
Aware gold is taxed as a collectible (max 28% long-term, up to 37% short-term)
Will keep all purchase receipts permanently for cost basis
Understand 1099-B reporting thresholds
Consulted tax professional (recommended if purchase > $10,000)
Buying approach: Lump sum / Dollar-cost averaging (monthly / quarterly)
Set a price alert on Kitco or similar platform
Confirmed: this money is not needed in the next 1-3 years
Budget per purchase: $
Ordering: Price locked, shipping address secure, signature required
Obtained tracking number and shipping insurance confirmation
On arrival: Inspected package for damage before signing
Weighed purchase with precision scale (0.01g accuracy)
Measured dimensions with digital calipers, compared to official specs
Performed ping test for coins (clear, high-pitched ring = authentic)
Stored documentation (invoice, weight, serial numbers) securely