PHYSICAL GOLD FOR BEGINNERS
Compare gold bullion coins and bars by fine weight, quoted premium, resale bid and custody. Use the American Gold Eagle and Canadian Gold Maple Leaf specifications below as a starting point.
MINT SPECIFICATIONS · CHECKED OCTOBER 7, 2026
| Product | Fine gold | Purity | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle | 1 troy ounce | 91.67% | 32.70 mm |
| 2026 Canadian Gold Maple Leaf | 1 troy ounce | 99.99% | 30 mm |
The Eagle contains additional alloy, so its total weight is greater than its one ounce of fine gold. Higher purity alone does not establish a better price or resale bid. Proof, collectible and special editions can have different premiums.
Bars require a product-specific check: refiner, fine weight, fineness, packaging and dimensions. There is no single standard dimension for every one-ounce bar.
Sources: U.S. Mint bullion specifications and Royal Canadian Mint 2026 bullion specifications. Product examples are not inventory offers.
A product’s total weight and its fine gold content are not always the same. The one-ounce American Gold Eagle contains one troy ounce of fine gold in an alloy. Compare products by stated fine ounces, not just diameter, appearance, or the number of pieces.
No single format is always the cheaper purchase. Manufacturing, size, distribution and the specific issue can affect the premium. Compare current coin and bar quotes for the same fine-gold content, then include separately payable purchase charges and obtain resale bids. Smaller pieces can fit a partial-sale plan differently, while a larger format may have different per-ounce economics. The actual offers and the amount you may later need to sell matter more than the coin-or-bar label.
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If you expect to sell a small amount at a time, consider the size of each item. A larger bar is one unit; several smaller coins can be sold in separate quantities. That flexibility must be weighed against purchase premiums and the bid offered for each product.
No. Bullion is commonly compared by fine-metal content and premium; collectible pricing may also reflect rarity, date and grade. A higher premium does not by itself establish better future performance or easier resale. For an IRA, collectibles are generally restricted, with exceptions for specified coins and qualifying bullion. A “premium” or “proof” label does not settle that test. Have the custodian confirm the exact product and custody arrangement before purchase, and seek independent support for any claimed collector value.
Investments in collectibles in individually directed qualified plan accounts
For personal ownership, understand payment, delivery, security, and insurance. For a precious metals IRA, confirm the exact product and custody arrangement with the custodian before purchasing. A coin-or-bar preference alone does not establish IRA eligibility. Use the planning guide to work through the account decision first.
Write down the fine ounces, not just the number of items. Compare one product format at a time and ask for both its purchase quote and current resale bid. Smaller units may make partial sales easier to arrange, while the actual premium and selling terms depend on the offer. The format alone does not determine which purchase is better for your circumstances.
The method carries over: compare fine weight, the full quoted cost and the bid for the identical product. Keep gold and silver on separate lines so that their prices and quantities are not mixed. For an IRA, confirm each proposed silver product with the custodian; for personal ownership, confirm the delivery and storage arrangements.
Plan a partial sale in whole items. A larger bar is one unit; a collection of smaller pieces lets you offer fewer units without selling the entire holding. Ask for a bid on the smaller quantity you may actually sell, including any minimum quantity, authentication requirements and charges. Weigh that practicality against the original premium and selling terms. No denomination guarantees an available buyer or a particular resale price.
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PRACTICAL REFERENCE
A physical gold IRA holds eligible bullion through a custodian. A gold ETF or other exchange-traded gold product gives you shares with the exposure described in its documents. Compare the holding, account, costs and exit process together.
Read compare the holding and the accountReview custodial fees and Delaware Depository storage arrangements before authorizing a purchase.
Explore fees and storageMAKE THE NEXT STEP SPECIFIC
Use this public reference to organize your gold coin or bar questions. Ask Chris Clark Gold about products or a written quote; the separate Gold, Silver and IRA guide collection requires signup.