The margin is real. It should be visible.
Every dealer earns through the gap between spot price and finished product price. That margin covers sourcing, handling, inventory risk, operations, and profit.
If spot sits at $5,179 and a coin is priced at $5,438, the dealer premium is $259, roughly 5 percent.
- Ask for the exact margin on each product
- Compare bars, sovereign coins, and non-bullion products separately
- Include custodian and storage costs in IRA comparisons
- Know buyback terms before purchase
Typical margin ranges
| Product | Typical Margin | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Standard bullion bars | 3-8% | $3,000-$8,000 on $100,000 |
| Government-minted coins | 5-12% | $5,000-$12,000 on $100,000 |
| Non-bullion collector coins | 15-25%+ | $15,000-$25,000+ on $100,000 |