Where to Buy Gold Coins

How I Almost Got Duped Chasing Shiny Metal

Alright, let’s get one thing out of the way real quick: buying gold coins shouldn’t be complicated. But if you’ve ever gone down that rabbit hole of YouTube ads, late-night infomercials, or the endless “Top 5 Gold Dealers” blog posts that all somehow recommend the same companies—yeah, it’s a mess.

A few years ago, I found myself wide awake at 2:37 a.m., halfway through a video titled “Protect Your Wealth Before It’s Too Late!” Some guy with great teeth and too much gel was holding up a shiny American Gold Eagle and talking about how “smart investors” were ditching fiat and moving into hard assets.

Sounded good. I clicked the link. Booked a “free consultation.”

And nearly wired $20,000 to a company I’d never heard of—one that, as I later found out, has a long list of complaints with the BBB. 🫠

But hey, that screw-up led me to actually learn how and where to buy gold coins the right way. And now, I’ve got a safe full of the real stuff—no paper promises, no bait-and-switch numismatics, and no regrets.

Here’s how I figured it out, what I wish I knew before, and where I buy now.

The 3 Golden Rules

Before I even tell you where to buy, here’s the mindset you need:

Buy gold, not hype.
If someone’s pushing you into collectible coins because they’re “non-reportable,” run. Fast. That’s code for “40% markup.”
Premiums matter.
You’re not just buying gold—you’re buying gold at the right price. Overpaying by even 5% can kill your margins if you ever need to sell fast.
Reputation is king.
I don’t care how nice the website looks or how many followers their TikTok page has. If real-world customers say they’re shady, believe them.

Local Coin Shops vs. Online Dealers

Local coin shops (LCS) have that old-school charm. You walk in, smell the vintage leather chairs, and some Vietnam vet behind the counter asks if you’re looking for “numis or bullion.” (Don’t lie—you’re googling ‘numis’ right now.)

Pros:

Face-to-face interaction
Immediate handover—no waiting
Can sometimes negotiate prices, especially if you’re buying in bulk or paying cash

Cons:

Limited inventory
Prices can vary wildly based on who’s behind the counter that day
Not always transparent about premiums

I bought my first gold coin at a local shop—an American Buffalo. Walked out of there like I just won the Super Bowl. But then I checked the price later and realized I paid about $120 more than I should’ve. Rookie mistake.

Online dealers, on the other hand, are a whole different beast. The good ones have up-to-the-minute pricing, massive selection, and fast shipping. The bad ones? Hidden fees, misleading photos, and aggressive upsells. That’s why you want to read reviews websites like Digital Financing Taskforce to know before you buy.

Here’s where the rubber meets the road.

The Online Gold Dealers I Trust With My Wallet (and Sanity)

1. JM Bullion

Solid. Transparent. No-nonsense.
Their pricing is updated constantly, and I’ve never had a delay in shipping. The customer dashboard even lets you track your purchase like it’s a pizza order. 🍕

Pro tip: Use eCheck instead of a credit card—lower premiums and fewer fees.

2. SD Bullion

Quietly one of the best in the game.
They don’t waste time with gimmicks. If you’re looking for Gold Eagles, Maples, or even 1 oz bars, this is the place. Bonus: their customer service actually picks up the phone.

3. Bullion Exchanges

Great if you’re in New York City and want to pick up in person.
They’ve also got a surprisingly wide range of international gold coins if you’re looking to diversify.

4. GoldSilver.com

Run by that guy who hangs out with Robert Kiyosaki. (You know the one.)
What I like? The education. Even if you don’t buy from them, their videos are worth watching just to learn the lingo.

What About Big Names Like APMEX or Kitco?

I get this question all the time.

APMEX is like the Amazon of precious metals. Tons of inventory, slick site, and they’ve been around forever. But… you pay for the convenience. Their premiums are usually higher than other dealers.

Kitco is more institutional. Great if you’re buying big or want to store your metals overseas. But for the average investor? Kinda overkill.

What NOT to Do (Learn From My Pain)

Let’s talk about that sketchy call I mentioned earlier. Here’s how it went down:

Guy on the phone:

“You don’t want bullion. What you want are these rare pre-1933 coins. They’re government exempt and totally off the books.”

I swear, the way he said “off the books” made it sound like we were planning a heist.

When I asked how much, he said they were “only” $2,000 each. For a coin that had 0.2419 ounces of gold.

That’s like paying $8,200 an ounce when spot was around $1,900.

No thanks, bro.

So… Where Should You Buy Gold Coins?

If you’re just starting out, here’s what I’d recommend:

Start small. One ounce at a time. No need to flex.
Stick to sovereign coins like:
- American Gold Eagle
- Canadian Maple Leaf
- Austrian Philharmonic
- South African Krugerrand

These are liquid, recognized globally, and carry relatively low premiums.

Use JM Bullion or SD Bullion for your first order. Read reviews. Call customer service before buying, just to feel them out.

And if you’ve got a good local shop? Bring cash, ask questions, and maybe even make a new friend. Just don’t fall for the “limited edition” trap. 😉

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Crazy, You’re Early

Here’s the thing most people don’t get…

Buying gold isn’t about getting rich quick. It’s about not being poor later. It’s wealth insurance. It’s saying, “I trust this shiny rock more than I trust bureaucrats with printers.”

I used to laugh at the “gold bugs.” Now I am one. Not because I think the world’s ending (though… have you seen the debt clock lately?) but because I like sleeping at night.

So if you’re wondering where to buy gold coins?

Start with a little research, don’t rush, and trust your gut.

The metal will still be there tomorrow. The dollar? Can’t say the same.

Key Takeaways

Avoid shady dealers who push numismatic coins with insane markups.
Start with reputable online gold dealers like JM Bullion or SD Bullion.
Stick to well-known bullion coins like Eagles, Maples, or Krugerrands.
Compare premiums—5% may not seem like much, but it adds up fast.
Buy for preservation, not speculation. Gold is protection, not a lottery ticket.

Ready to stop watching the economy like a nervous squirrel and actually do something about it?

Buy one coin. Just one. And hold it in your hand.

You’ll feel the difference. 💰