Frequently Asked Questions on Buying Gold
Starting Right
Where can I find a good gold firm?
You will want to find a firm that has a good track record and accreditations from reputable organizations such as the Better Business Bureau and the Business Consumer Alliance. Look for a gold firm that has been in business for a solid amount of time. In addition, look for a firm that offers an information-based website that reflects their understanding of what you will need to know as a purchaser of gold. In other words, choose a firm that shows genuine interest in keeping you informed. Be wary of finding a “start-up” style of firm. These are not always easy to spot due in part to the ease of designing a professional website; however, you can find information on the website that will give you insight into how long they have been in business and the types of information they can provide.
Where can I purchase gold?
Gold coins and bars of all sizes can be purchased through sources including government mints, online and via phone from gold coin sellers such as Rosland Capital.
How much does gold cost?
The price of gold varies. Per ounce, kilo and gram, pricing is updated real time and so you'll see a difference in pricing basically day-to-day, and even minute-to-minute. If you would like to stay current on the price of gold, visit our page for Gold Prices with metrics that reference gold price trends.
Bear in mind that the cost of the gold itself is not the only factor in the price of premium, collectible, or ‘numismatic’ coins. For these types of coin, history, esthetic appeal, rarity, condition and ‘grade’ will tend to be much more important.
Why should I consider purchasing gold?
Gold can be a sensible purchase to help in potentially protecting what you have. There are a number of reasons why gold may make sense including potentially: 1) helping to protect against the negative effects of the dollar’s declining purchasing power, 2) helping to reduce asset volatility and 3) helping to minimize losses during periods of market shock.
In addition, gold is often seen to lack correlation with other assets so it can be used to diversify holdings and to potentially hedge against currency risk. Gold is best seen as a long-term, historically proven purchase that offers potential benefits to those who understand and who are willing to consider the issues involved.
What is the biggest mistake that first-time gold buyers make?
The biggest mistake that most first-time gold buyers make is seeking advice from the wrong people or purchasing through the wrong firm. This can be avoided by doing research on which company you choose to consult and, ultimately, purchase with.
Who should I speak with before buying gold?
Seek out advice from people who have been in business for a good, long time, who are in it for the long haul and whose information can be trusted. Conduct research on the people whom you’re considering seeking advice from and follow-up your discussions with additional research to verify the information. If you are interested in learning more about your buying options, you can contact us directly at 1-844-754-1349.
Setting Objectives
What types of gold exist?
There are a number of different types of gold which are all available to purchase – you'll want to base your purchasing decision on what your objectives are. There are ETF's, future contracts, gold mining stocks, gold certificates and mutual funds, but Rosland Capital’s customers prefer to buy physical gold - gold bars and coins - both bullion and premium formats.
What types of gold should I buy?
This depends on your reasons for being interested in buying gold in the first place. Many people start with the thought that gold bars make most sense, but the really big ‘good delivery’ bars that they’ve seen in the movies are beyond most people’s reach, and beyond most organizations other than central banks. It’s worth considering that coins first came into being as a way of certifying provenance and therefore value. Even today it’s easier to sell a coin than the equivalent bar, whose gold content can be an unknown quantity to the buyer.
When should I buy gold?
This depends on your level of interest in gold, and the reasons why you would like to purchase gold in the first place. The short answer for some people may be: right now. If you've decided that you need, can afford and are going to purchase gold, then there may be no real reason to delay your purchase. Understand that gold does not act the same way as a traditional stock or real estate; it's unrealistic to base your purchase on expectations that gold's price may quickly adjust in your favor.
How much money should I spend on gold?
Some people say buyers should aim to have between 5%-15% of their assets in gold, with 20% being the highest level that most would consider, though of course, individual circumstances and preferences will vary.
Online Resources
Where can I find more information on buying gold?
There are a number of online resources that can help you better understand gold and what it means to be an owner including Bloomberg.com, Forbes.com, Money Week, The FTC Consumer Information on Gold, among others. Tap into the information these websites offer to become knowledgeable and understanding of gold as a purchase.
What are some helpful online tools I can use when I am ready to purchase gold?
If you would like to track the price of gold then you can visit our page for Historical Gold Prices. Use this to keep pace with changes in the market. You can also find accurate pricing on the different types of gold that you are interested in.
Risk
What are some of the risks associated with buying gold?
Buying gold does have some risks that need to be understood by any purchaser. Your biggest risk is, of course, losing money, and depending on what type of gold you purchase, whether coins or an ETF, you are at greater risk if you fail to set personal objectives and/or lose sight of them. The price of gold is subject to movement – down as well as up – because of the uncertain nature of the global economy and the workings of supply and demand in the US and overseas, both for gold coins and for jewelry. For premium coins the prices are subject to related but separate issues of supply and demand and a more limited market affecting this specialist field. There are no guarantees with the purchase of gold; the decision to make any given purchase comes down to your own best judgment. You should understand that precious metals should be considered a long-term purchase of at least 3 to 5 years. You should carefully read our Customer Agreement about risks as well.
How can I potentially protect myself from these risks?
You can potentially protect yourself by staying informed from the onset of your purchase. First understand why you would like to purchase gold, set personal objectives, and stick to them. The right type of gold can be purchased for the wrong reason, and the wrong type of gold for the right reason, so it's important to have a clear understanding of what each type of gold is purchased for. You may also speak with a Rosland Capital representative – no commitment - to help you figure out what type of gold may be best to accomplish your goals.
I read about scams in so many markets – how can I avoid them when buying gold?
From the perspective of Rosland Capital scams can best be avoided by research and preparation. The most important thing is to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable company that has a solid track record and is dedicated to customer service.
Always ask for a full written Customer Agreement. Don’t sign it until you’ve read and understand it and make sure you get a confirmation for any purchase. A firm like Rosland Capital will not consider you a customer, or process your order, until they have your signed Customer Agreement - neither side wants any uncertainty in an important transaction like a purchase of gold.
Be clear about any fees or commissions that you’ll be paying - different companies have different practices.
Make sure you get a written copy of the company’s return policy, and make sure you understand whether fees or commissions will be charged if you sell back to the company you’re buying from.
If you’re not taking delivery of your precious metals, with an IRA transaction for example, make sure you know the arrangements for custodianship of the metals.
Research spot prices and wholesale prices. As an individual buyer you won’t be paying either spot or wholesale prices - that’s how dealers make a living - but they’re a useful point of reference.
You’ll want to understand whether you’re buying bullion, whose value is driven by its metal content, or "numismatic" coins that, as the FTC puts it, "have a market value that exceeds their face value or their metal content".
In the opinion of Rosland Capital scams may arise in the context of grading. Grading is always somewhat subjective, but some companies will do their grading in-house or through one of the less reputable grading services. Others, as the FTC warns, create counterfeit grading documents or place lower grade coins in cases labeled with a higher grade. You’ll want to know that what you buy has been graded by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Service (NGC). Each coin they grade has a serial number so you check its authenticity, if you have any doubts, and they come in sonically-sealed, tamper-proof containers or "slabs."
Consider the tax implications of what you’re doing. Coin sellers are not typically able to give tax advice, so make sure you understand the issues.
What makes Rosland Capital legit and trustworthy?
Rosland Capital was established in 2008 and has since helped many thousands of customers seeking to help protect their assets by acquiring gold and silver. Rosland has earned an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau and a AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance, reflecting the company's focus on customer service. You can read customer reviews of our dedicated precious metals specialists on sites like Reach150 and on our customer reviews page.
Beyond the Rosland US headquarters is in Los Angeles, there are separate, independent Rosland-branded offices in London, Paris, and Munich. Rosland is proud to have forged relationships with bodies including the British Museum, Formula 1®, the International Tennis Federation, and the PGA TOUR®, enabling Rosland—aside from its other products—to offer its customers unique coin collections under these exclusive multi-country licenses.
Rewards
What are the potential main benefits of purchasing gold?
Gold is acquired for many different reasons. If you are a first-time buyer, then consider the amount of gold you wish to purchase and how diversified your assets currently are. Diversified holdings may potentially help protect assets in the long run. Additionally, gold can potentially help you hedge financial uncertainty because gold does not depend on a third party's ability to pay, which is the case with other capital assets such as bonds or bank savings. Gold can also be a way to potentially help protect assets for future generations.
Will buying gold make me wealthy?
No. You should not expect gold to make you wealthy. The reasons for buying gold are different from other goods because it is used more as a means of potential protection against financial uncertainty rather than a means to accumulate rapid wealth. One of the main reasons people buy gold is to potentially help protect their assets against inflation.
Gold as Insurance, Asset Management and Savings
How can gold be used as insurance?
Gold can be purchased as a means to potentially protect yourself, and your money, against a financial downturn, and/or a crisis. A purchase of gold as insurance is also a purchase made for the long-term. Meaning, use gold for its ability to potentially help survive small corrections. You may experience losses, but you should not assume that your gold becomes worthless as a result of them – gold has been a trusted store of wealth for thousands of years.
What is the best way to save gold?
The best way to save gold is to not sell it. Many first-time buyers will make the mistake of selling gold if the market is performing poorly; however, a purchase in gold can only benefit those looking for a way to protect their savings if it is held on to during times when the price dips. Precious metal should be considered a long-term purchase of at least 3 to 5 years.
Who or what determines the price of gold?
The price of gold is determined by the supply (the amount at which all holders of gold are selling) and the demand (the amount which buyers are making their purchase). When trading opens, the supply and demand of gold converge on a market-clearing price. There are a multitude of factors that influence the price of gold such as global money supply and inflation, though it does not tend to react to temporary disruptions of physical supply.
Is a Gold Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) right for you?
The answer depends on why you’re buying gold in the first place. An ETF allows you to buy and sell gold without physically touching or storing it. ETF funds are backed by gold, but there is probably less gold behind them than you might think. The principle is the same as the way banks operate - if they have $1mm on deposit from customers, they can lend a multiple of that amount to other customers.
If everyone turns up at the bank on the same day and asks for their money, there’s not enough to go around. So, a fund might claim to be worth a trillion dollars, but no one believes there’s actually a trillion dollars of physical gold behind it.
Coins
What are gold coins?
- You could think of gold coins as the way in which sovereign states give their endorsement to a physical commodity. Without coins gold would only be available in the form of bars, and no one but the maker or seller knows the gold content of a bar, unless they weigh and analyze it.
- Coins take the uncertainty out of buying gold. Apart from relatively rare incidences of counterfeiting, a coin is what it purports to be. An additional level of certainty is supplied by the independent, professional grading companies who will assess the nature and quality of a coin, from which its value can be derived, and then seal the coin in a tamper-proof container that preserves its condition indefinitely.
- Among the most popular bullion coins are the American Eagle and Canadian Maple Leaf gold coins which have a high level of gold purity and are easy to buy and sell. A look through our website will give you all of the information that you need on the different types of gold coins.
How much do they cost?
Prices of gold bullion coins tend to fluctuate with movements in the price of gold, which can happen unexpectedly and often. Premium coins’ prices may be influenced by the price of their gold content, but they also have a value derived from their rarity, condition or history, and they are generally somewhat cushioned against movements in the spot price of gold. In general, they are not meant to be traded.
Where can I buy gold coins?
Gold coins can be purchased through government mints, or online or via phone through specialized gold sellers like Rosland Capital. Contact us or call 1-844-754-1349 today to learn more.
Bars or Ingots
What are gold bars?
Gold bars are perhaps the most basic form of gold a purchaser has the option of buying. Bars are favored by traders and short-term investors, particularly bars containing 32.15 ounces and above, which are beyond the means of most people. The thing to remember is that if you spend money on a single bar, you cannot sell back only a part of it as you can with coins. In addition, you'll often find that if you wish to sell your bar, you'll have to sell it back to the dealer through which you made the purchase.
Should I buy gold bars?
This depends on what your objectives are. If you're looking for a tangible, small-scale purchase then gold bars are a good option, but you need to recognize that the value of what you buy will fluctuate with the spot price of gold. Be sure that you arrange a means to store the gold that you purchase either with a safe at home or with a bank that has a vault.
What is the difference between gold bars and ingots?
An ingot is a type of gold bar produced by casting molten gold in an ingot-shaped mold. By contrast, bars are rolled, cut, then any distinguishing marks are pressed into their surface. This method is commonly used for heavier bars.
Bullion
What is gold bullion?
Buying gold bullion means buying a bulk quantity of gold, which is measured by weight and sold as bars or coins. The simple idea is to buy bullion when prices are low, and to sell when prices are high. Generally, gold bullion, and precious metals in general, are more attractive as a long-term purchase. A purchase of bullion makes most sense as a potential means to 1) hedge against currency risk, 2) hedge against inflation risks, 3) hedge against geopolitical risks, and 4) diversify financial asset holdings.
Where can I buy gold bullion?
Gold bullion can be purchased through a number of online and local dealers, but selling can prove to be a bit more challenging. Look through our products section to see the wide variety of bullion bars and coins that we can supply. You can talk to a knowledgeable Rosland Capital representative directly by calling 1-844-754-1349.
What is the value of bullion?
To find the value of gold bullion you'll have to look at the precious metal content, generally assessed by its purity and mass.
Buying Gold/Where to Buy
Where should I buy gold?
Most first-time buyers opt to purchase gold from an established seller such as Rosland Capital. To get started, we offer a free gold and precious metals kit that can be requested on our website. This kit will give you all of the information that you'll need before making your first purchase. Before making a purchase, prepare any and all questions that you might have about your options and what type of purchase will best suit your interests. A good gold firm can be the difference between success and failure as a buyer and so you'll want to find a company that can offer you the type of support and information as we do here at Rosland Capital.
Gold IRAs
What is a gold IRA?
A gold IRA works the same way a regular Individual Retirement Account (IRA) does, but instead of storing paper currency or paper-based assets, a gold IRA holds gold or other approved precious metals, also known as precious metals IRA.
What are the IRA-accepted precious metals?
Certain types of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium are accepted, gold being the most commonly purchased of the four. These are also referred to as gold IRA, silver IRA, platinum IRA and palladium IRA.
How do you earn interest with a gold IRA and/or precious metals IRA?
A gold IRA does not generate interest or income. Instead it has a value tied to the price of the coins and bars that are placed within it.
What is the biggest potential benefit to setting up a gold IRA?
When you set up or convert your existing assets into a gold or silver rollover IRA you are potentially helping in protecting your assets from unforeseen economic factors and financial losses. Precious metals are often used as a potential long-term hedge against inflation. In uncertain economic times and with the declining US dollar, assets risk losing value. For example, the purchasing power of the dollar has declined by over 25% since the turn of the century, while the price of gold has tripled. No one knows what will happen in the future, but we at Rosland Capital know that historically gold has acted as a trusted protector of assets.
Is setting up a gold IRA tax free?
You should consult your tax advisor about any tax implications. Rosland Capital and its people are not qualified to advise, but in general Gold IRAs follow the same tax rules as other IRAs.
Why should I consider including gold in my retirement plan?
Gold is perhaps best seen as a potential protector of assets, rather than a way to get rich. If some of your assets are in physical gold, you’re potentially helping in insulating part of your assets from the uncertainties inherent in paper-based financial instruments.
How does it work? Can I buy physical gold for my IRA or 401(k)?
You can buy physical gold and put it into an IRA, or transfer an existing IRA into gold, but the gold itself must be in the custody of an independent third party – Rosland Capital can help with this. IRS regulations won’t allow an individual to hold the gold in their own IRA.
What are the mechanics of a Gold IRA rollover?
1. A Rosland Capital representative will explain to you how a Gold and Precious Metals IRA works, so you can decide if the option is right for you.
2. If you decide that an IRA fits your needs, the representative will send you the necessary forms (typically from Equity Institutional, the IRA custodian) together with Rosland Capital's own customer agreement.
3. After you have signed and completed the required forms, your Rosland Capital representative will create an account for you at Rosland Capital and Equity will create an IRA account for you with Equity, and if you wish, your Rosland Capital representative will discuss various options for your IRA, including which coins qualify for inclusion.
4. After Equity receives funding, either directly from you or via transfer of an existing IRA, your Rosland Capital representative will contact you to discuss the purchase of precious metals for your IRA account. If you elect to make a purchase, your representative will, at your request, arrange with Equity for the precious metals to be moved directly to the depository in Delaware, where each IRA-holder's gold is kept in separate, secure storage.
5. You are then a client of Equity Institutional, and will pay the appropriate fees for administration and storage.
6. When you reach 73 years of age and must take distributions, you may chose to take distributions in physical gold, provided the IRA contains precious metals of the appropriate value.
What are Rosland Capital's fees for IRA customers?
Rosland Capital does not charge IRA customers any fees for helping to establish a precious metal IRAs. There are fees payable by IRA customers to Equity Institutional.
As of March 22, 2022, Equity charges:
A one-time $50 set-up fee.
A $100 Annual Maintenance fee.
Storage Fees of $100 or $150 per year, depending on the type of storage chosen.
Paper Statement Fee is $40 for customers who wish to receive a paper copy of their statements, but eStatements (digital copies of statements) are free for those who enroll.
Placing Your Order
How do I place an order with Rosland Capital?
Just call us at 1-844-754-1349 and our Representatives will be happy to help you.
Can I talk to someone in your office with questions about buying gold?
Certainly. Our representatives are here to answer your questions and assist with placing your orders. Call us at 1-844-754-1349 from Mondays to Fridays between 7AM and 6PM PST. If you are new to buying gold, everyone you speak with can walk you through the buying process vis-à-vis your questions.
Why does the site say "Call for Price?" Why can't I order online?
Due to market fluctuations, beyond movements in spot price, values of premium products go up and down throughout the day. Speaking with a representative will help ensure you get the most up-to-date and best pricing.
What are the popular sizes for gold and silver purchases?
The most popular size for gold and silver coins is 1 oz for bullion and often smaller for premium coins because purchasers are not buying for the metal content alone, but are considering their "numismatic value". The ‘ounces’ quoted in relation to gold are usually ‘Troy’ ounces. 1 Troy Oz. is the standard weight at which gold is sold in the international market, and it equals 31.1035 grams.
Is gold or silver the best choice?
This is a matter of individual preference - only you can decide what's right for you.
Many people are attracted to silver because it has a lower price per ounce - it’s seen as a low-cost way to get started in precious metals. There are many attractive silver coins available, both historic and modern, and Rosland Capital is a leading source of those coins.
On the other hand, gold has attracted buyers since the earliest days of civilization – it has served as a trusted store of wealth and a potential hedge against inflation. As well as recently minted coins, Rosland Capital offers gold coins that have great beauty and historic significance, as well as the intrinsic value of their metal content.
How long does it take to ship my orders?
Shipping time generally takes about 14 business days. This is faster than many of our competitors’ shipping times.
What happens if I don’t receive my orders?
Call our customer service number 1-844-754-1349 and/or email us at services@roslandcapital.com.
What is your return policy?
Rosland Capital provides its customers the right, without penalty for any reason, to receive a full refund of the purchase price for the return of undamaged and unused products if written notice of the intention to return the products is received by Rosland Capital generally within seven (7) days after the date of receipt of the products. Rosland Capital will issue a full refund, provided all requirements are met, within thirty (30) days of the return of the products. Call us at 1-844-754-1349 and we can assist you through the process. See our Customer Agreement for more details.