According to expert reviews from Investopedia and Money.com , these are the best sources for low fees:
: Ask for "back-dated" or "circulated" items. These are pre-owned bars or coins that dealers sell at a lower premium because they aren't "shiny and new". 🏢 Top Low-Cost Dealers (April 2026) how to buy gold cheap
: Larger units (like 100g or 1oz bars) have much lower per-ounce premiums than "fractional" gold (like 1/10oz coins), which can have markups as high as 15% . According to expert reviews from Investopedia and Money
: Bars are simpler to manufacture and typically have premiums of 1-4% , whereas coins often carry 5-7% markups. : Bars are simpler to manufacture and typically
To get the best deal, you must minimize the , which is the dealer's markup for manufacturing, shipping, and profit. Strategies for the Lowest Price
: Most dealers offer a 3-4% discount if you pay via wire transfer, eCheck, or paper check instead of a credit card or PayPal.
Buying gold "cheap" means paying as close as possible to the —the current market value of raw gold. As of April 2026, the spot price is approximately $4,680 – $4,690 per ounce .