Allocated bullion in a vault
Specific bars or coins assigned to you and stored in an audited, insured vault. Storage fees apply, and you should confirm the metal is genuinely allocated.
Gold & Precious Metals
Compare gold investment
Compare gold investment
options in the UK
Compare ways to own physical gold, from allocated bullion in a professional vault to UK legal-tender coins, matched to your investment level and what you are looking for.
Free to use. Opportunities are shown only to investors who self-certify as eligible. No advice is given.
IncomeNone: return comes only from the price
FormsBars, coins, allocated vault holdings
StorageAt home or in an audited vault
TaxSome UK legal-tender coins are CGT-exempt
What does investing in physical gold involve?
Physical gold, usually held as allocated bullion in a professional vault or as coins you keep yourself, is one of the oldest alternative assets, valued for its scarcity and its long history as a store of value outside the banking system.
It is not the same as owning gold-mining shares or a gold ETF. A mining company’s share price depends on its costs, debt and management as well as the gold price, while an ETF gives price exposure without physical delivery. Physical ownership brings its own practical questions: where the metal is held, who verifies it and how you would sell.
Start with is gold a good investment in the UK? for the full picture, then compare coin and bar options in our guides on gold bars vs gold coins and sovereigns vs Britannias.
Why investors look at gold
- Tangible store of value. Gold has held value over very long periods and is not anyone else’s liability.
- Diversification. Its price has often moved differently from shares and bonds, though not always and not predictably.
- Tax treatment of some coins. UK legal-tender coins such as Sovereigns and Britannias are generally exempt from Capital Gains Tax, which is often decisive versus bars.
- Simple to understand. There is no company, fund or issuer to fail when you hold allocated physical metal.
Four ways to hold physical gold
The form you hold it in changes costs, tax treatment, storage needs and how easily you can sell.
Gold coins
UK legal-tender coins can be held directly and are usually CGT-exempt. See gold Sovereigns and Britannias.
Gold bars
Lower premiums over the metal value, but without the coin CGT exemption. Compare in bars vs coins.
Unallocated or pooled gold
A general claim on a provider’s stock rather than specific metal, which adds counterparty risk. Understand the difference before choosing.
Four steps to compare gold
We don’t sell investments and we don’t give advice. We ask a few questions, confirm you’re legally eligible to view these opportunities, then introduce you to the providers that match.
1
Tell us about you
Your investment level and experience with alternative investments, so we only show what fits.
2
Confirm your status
Self-certify as a High Net Worth, Sophisticated or Professional Investor, as UK financial promotion rules require.
3
See your gold matches
Opportunities that match your answers, with new listings added regularly. Supplier names stay redacted until you are introduced.
4
Get introduced
Reach out directly. Any decision to invest is yours alone, and nothing here is advice.
Before you compare
Gold can fall in price and has no yield
Capital is fully at risk. Physical bullion dealing and storage generally sit outside FCA regulation, so protections are limited.
Price can fall
Gold pays no income, and its price moves with global demand, interest rates and currency strength.
Not FCA-regulated
Physical bullion dealing and storage generally falls outside the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
Storage and verification
Check where and how the metal is held, whether it is allocated to you specifically, and how you would verify or sell it.
Dealer spreads
The gap between buy and sell prices means gold usually has to rise before you are in profit.
Counterparty risk
Unallocated or pooled gold depends on the provider being able to deliver.
Scams and counterfeits
Buy only from established dealers and verify authenticity.
Due diligence
What to check before you buy
A practical checklist for any gold purchase. Our guide to comparing gold coins covers premiums and liquidity.
- Whether the metal is allocated (specific bars or coins assigned to you) or unallocated (a general claim on stock).
- Where it is stored, whether the vault is independently audited, and whether it is insured.
- Whether the provider belongs to a recognised body such as the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA).
- The full cost of buying, storing and selling, including the buy/sell spread.
- The tax treatment of the specific coin or bar you are buying.
- How you would sell, to whom, and how quickly.
Available now
See current gold opportunities
UK financial promotion rules mean specific opportunities, including their rates and terms, can only be shown once you’ve confirmed your investment level and self-certified as an eligible investor. It takes about a minute.
Compare gold investments →Gold Investments guides
How gold is bought and priced, which coins and bars suit which investors, and the UK tax treatment that matters.
Is Gold a Good Investment in the UK?
Gold has no yield, no earnings and no guaranteed price. Its case rests on scarcity and diversification, and the tax treatment of coins, bars and ETFs is different enough to change your answer.
Read the guide →Are Gold Coins a Good Investment?
UK legal-tender bullion coins carry a real tax advantage most gold does not. Here is what that means in practice, and where coins fall short.
Read the guide →Are Gold Sovereigns a Good Investment?
The Sovereign is UK legal tender, which makes it Capital Gains Tax exempt for UK residents. Here is what else determines whether it is worth buying.
Read the guide →Are Gold Britannia Coins a Good Investment?
The Britannia is 24-carat gold and UK legal tender, sharing the Sovereign's tax advantages with higher purity and a larger standard size.
Read the guide →Best Gold Coins to Buy for Investment in the UK
There is no single best gold coin, only coins suited to different priorities. Here is how to actually compare them.
Read the guide →Gold Sovereigns vs Britannias for Investment
Both are UK legal tender and both are CGT-exempt for UK residents. The real difference is purity, size and cost per coin.
Read the guide →Gold Bars vs Gold Coins for Investment
Bars and coins are both VAT-exempt, but only UK legal-tender coins are CGT-exempt. That single difference usually decides which is right for you.
Read the guide →Gold Investments: common questions
Is gold a good investment in the UK?
It can play a role as a diversifier and store of value, but it pays no income and its price can fall. It suits investors who understand the trade-offs. Read our balanced guide, is gold a good investment?
What is the best way to invest in gold?
It depends on your goals. Allocated bullion suits larger holdings, while UK legal-tender coins such as Sovereigns and Britannias offer a CGT exemption. Compare costs, storage and tax before choosing.
Do I pay Capital Gains Tax on gold?
Gains on bars are generally subject to CGT above your allowance, while UK legal-tender coins are normally exempt. Tax depends on individual circumstances, so take advice.
What is allocated gold?
Allocated gold means specific bars or coins are set aside and recorded as yours, usually in a vault. Unallocated gold is only a claim on the provider’s general stock, which carries counterparty risk.
Is gold regulated?
Physical bullion dealing and storage are generally not FCA-regulated, so compensation schemes are unlikely to apply. Check the dealer’s reputation and credentials carefully.
Other alternative investments to compare
New to this? Start with our guide to alternative investments, check who qualifies as a sophisticated investor, or read the full FAQ.
This page is general information only and is not financial advice or a personal recommendation. These investments are high risk and mostly unregulated; you could lose some or all of your money, and you are unlikely to have access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Seek independent advice from an FCA-authorised adviser if you are unsure.