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Thinking about buying gold or silver? You're not alone. Bullion remains one of the go-to ways to preserve wealth, diversify a portfolio, and hedge against currency swings. In the UK, bullion markets are mature, regulated and home to some of the world's most reputable refiners and dealers. Whether you want a 1 oz gold coin, a 1/10 oz fraction, a 10 oz silver bar, or secure allocated storage, the options are plentiful — but knowing where to start turns a confusing hunt into a confident purchase.
Not all dealers are created equal. Some specialise in coins, others in investment bars; a few offer storage and vaulting, while others focus on quick online delivery. Below are well-known UK names and what they tend to do best — think of this as a starter map before you drill into prices and reviews.
BullionByPost is one of the UK's most visible online bullion retailers, popular for a wide product range and simple checkout. It tends to cater to buyers looking for straightforward purchases of gold coins, silver bars, and popular fractional sizes like 1/10 oz and 1/4 oz coins. Ideal if you want a quick buy-and-deliver experience with clear pricing.
ATS Bullion has built a strong reputation for competitive pricing and a good selection of both bars and coins. If you're comparing premiums over spot price, ATS often shows competitive rates on common sizes like 1 oz or 10 oz silver pieces. They also provide options for vault storage, making them a solid choice for buyers who want flexibility.
The Royal Mint is the UK's official coin maker and offers modern bullion coins such as the Sovereign and the Britannia. Buying directly from The Royal Mint means buying from the source for certain legal tender coins, often with detailed product information and strong brand pedigree — useful if provenance and collectible value matter to you.
Baird & Co is a historic refiner and retailer operating out of London, known for high-quality bars and bespoke services. If you're after properly hallmarked gold bars and the reassurance of a traditional refiner, Baird provides provenance and the kind of attention that appeals to buyers who place premium value on craftsmanship.
Sharps Pixley, a London-based bullion merchant, is well-regarded for both retail sales and wholesale services. They offer a range of coins and bars and are often chosen by buyers who seek a dealer with deep roots in the London bullion market and a strong track record for large transactions.
BullionVault is a different model: it's a gold and silver exchange that allows buyers to buy fractions of bullion stored in professional vaults. It’s a good option if you want market-style trading, low storage fees, and allocated ownership measured in ounces rather than physical deliveries sitting on a shelf at home.
GoldCore combines bullion sales with vault storage and wealth-management style services. If you're looking for the option to buy bullion and immediately place it into allocated storage overseas or in the UK, dealers like GoldCore offer bundled solutions and advice tailored to longer-term investors.
Chards is a long-established UK dealer focusing on coins, bars and numismatic pieces. They are a good fit for buyers who want an approachable high-street presence alongside an online catalogue, and for collectors who value coins beyond just their bullion metal content.
GoldMoney provides bullion ownership with the ability to store in vaults and trade electronically. It’s tailored to people who want the convenience of online account management, allocated storage, and the option to move metal between vaults in different locations.
Choosing between coins and bars depends on goals. Are you stacking silver for easy liquidity, buying gold for long-term preservation, or collecting coins with numismatic value? Understanding how each type behaves in the market helps you align purchases with purpose.
Gold bars are usually sold in a range of sizes, but in the UK you'll frequently see options measured in ounces — 1 oz bars are common, while institutional buyers might choose larger bars. Bars typically carry lower premiums per ounce than coins because they’re easier to produce and less costly to refine, making them efficient for pure bullion holding.
Coins like the Britannia or Sovereign are sold in sizes such as 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz. Coins often carry slightly higher premiums than bars because of minting costs and collectibility. Fractional coins (for instance, 1/10 oz) can be handy if you want to sell in smaller increments later on.
Silver is typically sold in ounces and popular sizes include 1 oz coins and 10 oz bars. Other precious metals like platinum and palladium are also available, usually measured in ounces. Keep in mind silver premiums and storage needs differ from gold because silver is bulkier per value unit.
Comparing dealers goes beyond the headline price. Look at premiums, but also consider authenticity guarantees, storage options, buyer protection, and customer reviews. A dealer with slightly higher premiums but trustworthy handling and secure storage can be better value over time.
Premiums are the markup over the metal’s spot price and are expressed per ounce. Compare the all-in price, including any fees for certification or vaulting, and watch how premiums change with size — larger 1 oz pieces usually have lower per-ounce premiums than tiny fractions.
Check for assay guarantees, hallmarks, and certificates of authenticity. Reputable UK dealers often work with recognised refiners and offer detailed product descriptions that include fineness and weight in troy ounces. Authentication matters when you want to re-sell or insure your holdings.
Some dealers sell and deliver to your door; others offer allocated vault storage — where specific bars or coins are individually assigned to you — and unallocated accounts — which represent a claim on metal rather than specific items. Allocated storage generally provides stronger ownership protection.
Ownership is one thing; safe storage is another. Decide early whether you want physical possession, home storage, or professional vaulting. Each option carries trade-offs in security, convenience and cost.
Home storage gives immediate access but increases risk of theft and may complicate insurance. Allocated vault storage in professional facilities removes the hassle of physical security and typically offers insured protection but comes with storage fees. Many buyers split holdings: some at home for quick liquidity, the rest in vaults for long-term security.
Insure bullion whether you store it at home or in a vault. Home insurance policies often need explicit cover for high-value items, and premiums are influenced by how the metal is stored. Vault storage providers usually include insurance in their fees, but always verify the limits and whether the insurance is full replacement value.
Taxation and regulation affect returns and should shape your strategy. A key question is how precious metals are taxed on purchase and sale, and what counts as investment gold under UK law.
Investment gold can be VAT-exempt in the UK under certain conditions, but rates and rules vary for different products and for other metals like silver. Capital gains tax may apply on profits when you sell bullion privately, depending on your personal tax situation. Because tax rules change, check the latest HMRC guidance or talk to a tax adviser before making large purchases.
Smarter buying is mostly about preparation. Don’t rush into the first price you see; compare multiple dealers and consider total costs including storage and insurance. Here are practical tips to improve outcomes.
Popular sizes like 1 oz gold coins or 1 oz silver rounds typically carry lower premiums than unusual fractions. Buying standard sizes keeps costs down and makes re-selling easier.
The spread between buy and sell prices, and the metal’s recent movement, matter. If you can, average into a position by buying on price dips rather than trying to time the market perfectly. A regular purchase plan reduces the risk of buying at a temporary peak.
Always buy from dealers with clear provenance, strong reviews, and documentation. Keep receipts, certificates, and serial numbers safe — they simplify verification, valuation and resale later on.
It’s easy to make avoidable mistakes. Watch out for suspiciously low prices, unclear storage terms, or dealers who push high-commission storage products. Also avoid concentrating too much in one form of metal or keeping everything at home without adequate security.
Too-good-to-be-true deals can mean counterfeit coins or improperly assayed bars. Rely on dealers who provide assay certificates, hallmarking, and trustworthy shipping methods.
Special edition or highly numismatic coins may promise upside, but they can be harder to sell quickly at market value. If liquidity is a key goal, stick to mainstream bullion products that have an active secondary market.
Before you hit “buy,” run through a quick checklist: confirm the product’s fineness and weight in ounces, compare total cost including premiums and fees, verify storage and insurance terms, check the dealer’s reputation, and keep your paperwork. This little routine helps avoid post-purchase regret.
Buying bullion in the UK offers many advantages: reputable dealers, strong refining tradition, and a range of storage solutions. Whether you’re buying a single 1 oz coin as a starter or building a larger allocation stored in a professional vault, informed choices about dealer selection, product type and storage will pay off. Treat bullion as part of a broader financial plan, and use the tools—comparison, research and trusted dealers—to make your precious metals work for you.
Conclusion: Gold and silver are tangible assets with a long track record. In the UK market you can find dealers that match almost any buying style, from collectors to long-term investors. With the right research and safeguards, bullion can be a reliable component of your wealth strategy.
