Finding Your Optimal Gold Format
Choosing between 10 oz bars, 1 oz coins, and kilo bars isn't just about premiums—it's about matching format to your investment strategy, capital availability, and liquidity needs.
Premium Comparison
| Format | Typical Premium | 100 oz Cost at $2,000 Spot |
|---|---|---|
| 1 oz coins | 4-8% | $208,000-216,000 |
| 1 oz bars | 3-5% | $206,000-210,000 |
| 10 oz bars | 2-4% | $204,000-208,000 |
| Kilo bars | 1-3% | $202,600-206,450 |
For a 100 oz position, choosing 10 oz bars over 1 oz coins saves $4,000-8,000.
Liquidity Analysis
1 oz Coins/Bars:
- Highest liquidity—any dealer will buy
- Smallest unit allows precise partial sales
- Legal tender coins (Eagles, Maples) have broadest recognition
- Best for: Uncertain needs, emergency funds, first-time investors
10 oz Bars:
- Strong liquidity—most dealers trade actively
- Reasonable unit size for partial position adjustments
- LBMA refiners ensure global recognition
- Best for: Core holdings, serious investors, $100K+ allocations
Kilo Bars:
- Lower liquidity—fewer individual buyers
- Large unit size limits selling flexibility
- May require finding institutional buyers
- Best for: $500K+ positions, ultra-long-term holds, institutional investors
Storage Efficiency
Space matters, especially with vault storage fees:
100 oz in different formats:
- 100 × 1 oz coins: 10+ coin tubes, multiple storage slots
- 10 × 10 oz bars: Small stack, 1-2 slots
- ~3 kilo bars: Most compact
Annual storage cost difference (typical vault):
- Coins: $200-400/year
- 10 oz bars: $100-200/year
- Kilo bars: $75-150/year
Practical Use Cases
Choose 1 oz coins if:
- Building your first gold position
- Need maximum liquidation flexibility
- Value legal tender status
- Want to gift or divide holdings easily
- Investing under $50,000 total
Choose 10 oz bars if:
- Committing $100,000+ to gold over time
- Can invest ~$20,000 per purchase
- Prioritize premium efficiency
- Have secure storage arranged
- Plan 5+ year holding periods
Choose kilo bars if:
- Investing $500,000+ in gold
- Absolute premium minimization is priority
- Have institutional storage relationship
- Decade+ holding horizon
- Comfortable with reduced liquidity
The Hybrid Approach
Many sophisticated investors use multiple formats:
- Core position (60-70%): 10 oz bars for efficiency
- Tactical allocation (20-30%): 1 oz coins for flexibility
- Emergency reserve (10%): Small denominations for quick access
This approach captures most of the premium savings while maintaining practical liquidity.
Making Your Decision
Consider these questions:
- What's your total planned gold allocation?
- How much can you invest per purchase?
- When might you need to sell?
- What storage options do you have?
- How important is premium minimization vs. flexibility?
For most investors with $100,000+ gold allocations, 10 oz bars represent the optimal format. They deliver substantial premium savings while avoiding the liquidity constraints of kilo bars.
Learn more about choosing the right 10 oz gold bar for your portfolio.