Where the money comes from
Every dealer earns through the gap between the metal's spot price and the finished product price. That margin covers sourcing, handling, and profit. The real question for you is not whether a margin exists — it always does — but how wide it is and which products carry the heaviest load.
If spot sits at $5,156 and a coin is priced at $5,414, the dealer premium is $258 — roughly 5%. On a sizable order, small percentage differences stack up fast.
Margins by product type
The product you pick matters as much as the dealer you choose. A standard bullion bar carries a far smaller margin than a collectible coin. On a six-figure order, that gap can add years to your break-even timeline.
| Product Type | Typical Margin | On $100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard bullion bars | 3–8% | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Government-minted coins | 5–12% | $5,000–$12,000 |
| Semi-numismatic coins | 15–25% | $15,000–$25,000 |
How we choose what to put forward
The right product rests on your goals. Some buyers want the lowest dealer premium above all else. Others care about liquidity, fractional sizing, or IRA standing. The key is to compare products on those grounds directly — not to lean on vague labels like "exclusive" or "collectible grade."
Third-party costs beyond the dealer margin
If you buy through a Gold IRA, custodian and vault charges land on top of the dealer margin. These are third-party tolls, and they belong in the same picture as the product cost — not off to the side.
The common mistake is looking at only one half of the ledger: the yearly custodian charge or the product margin, but not both. A sound comparison puts every number on the same page.
The buyback math
When you sell, the price rests on the current market bid — not what you originally paid. The bid-ask gap and the dealer premium matter on the way out just as much as on the way in.
A worked example:
- You buy a gold coin for $5,414 when spot is $5,156 (roughly 5% margin)
- Your buyback price rests on the current market bid.
- We set down the exact exit terms in writing on day one.
What our written breakdown covers
A sound quote shows the numbers that drive the decision:
- The specific margin on each recommended product
- Yearly custodian and vault costs
- Documented buyback terms
- Any operational costs — setup, wire, or handling
See the numbers for yourself.
If you want to understand product selection, IRA workings, or how the exit math shakes out, we will walk you through it plainly.