Buying gold – bars, coins and premiums explained
Investment gold is VAT-exempt throughout the EU, but the price depends on the format. Here's the difference between bars and coins, how the premium works, and what to check before you buy.
The gold price you're buying into
Gold price per gram
Bars, coins and premiums
The spot price on this page is the price for pure gold on the world market. The physical gold you buy always costs a little more (a "premium"), and when you sell it back you typically get a little under spot. The spread between buying and selling — plus the premium — is your total cost of owning physical gold.
Bars: most metal for your money
The bigger the bar, the lower the premium per gram, because production costs are almost the same regardless of size. For long-term saving and larger sums, 100 g–1 kg bars are the most efficient format. The downside: harder to sell in portions if you only want to part with some of it.
Coins: flexible and well known
The Krugerrand, Maple Leaf, Vienna Philharmonic and the Danish 20-kroner gold coin are known to every buyer — that makes them easy to sell quickly and hard to fake. You pay a higher premium per gram, but get liquidity and flexibility in return.
VAT and the law
Investment gold (at least 99.5% pure, in bar or recognised coin form) is VAT-exempt in Denmark and across the EU. Silver, on the other hand, is subject to VAT at 25%, which changes the maths significantly — see gold vs silver.
Before you pay
Always compare "price including delivery divided by pure gold content" across dealers. Check the dealer's reputation, that bars are sealed with a certificate, and that coins are genuine. Keep the receipt — it makes reselling easier.
See what different bars cost today
Total metal value
100 g gold (999.9)
Small bars cost more per gram than large ones, because the minting and packaging cost is spread over less metal. For gold savings, 100 g and 1 kg are typically cheapest per gram.
The value of your bars over time
Questions and answers
Bars or coins — which should I choose?
Bars have the lowest premium per gram and are most efficient for larger sums. Coins are easier to sell in smaller portions, better known and harder to fake — at the cost of a higher premium per gram.
How big is the premium on physical gold?
Large bars (100 g–1 kg) typically run 1–3% above spot, smaller bars and standard coins 3–8%, and small bars (1–5 g) up to 10–20%. The premium covers production, distribution and the dealer's risk.
Is it safe to buy gold online?
Buy from established Danish or European dealers with a physical address and a long track record. Avoid offers significantly below the spot price — they don't exist. Verified coins and sealed, certificated bars are the safe route in.