Are gold bars and coins still worth it with the price high?

Gold prices have skyrocketed over the past two years, repeatedly breaking records along the way. In 2025, the price for an ounce of gold surged past $3,000 for the first time this March, then cracked the $3,400 barrier earlier this April. The price peaked at $3,424.41 on April 21, according to American Hartford Gold and sits at $3,297.18 today. 

If you’ve been interested in buying gold, the precious metal’s 2025 price changes may make you feel like you’ve been priced out. After all, an ounce of gold was worth just over $2,000 in January 2024. However, gold’s value goes beyond its price and the added benefits gold offers may still be worthwhile for investors.

For those who are still interested in the precious metal, there are plenty of ways to buy it, including gold individual retirement accounts (IRAs), gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and more. If you’re looking for a more tangible experience, however, gold bars and coins remain a viable way to invest in gold. But is it worth the investment at today’s high prices? We answer that question below. 

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Are gold bars and coins still worth it with the price high?

Here are three reasons why gold remains a smart investment even at today’s prices:

Yes, because they can still provide portfolio diversification

One of gold’s most valuable strengths is that it provides portfolio diversification. If the market tumbles and the stocks and bonds in your portfolio experience losses, gold may provide a counterbalance because it’s usually able to maintain its value when the market dips. Investors know this, so they tend to buy gold when there’s market tumult, which often provides another perk: gold’s price increases. 

Gold’s role as a portfolio diversifier is particularly helpful right now. Uncertainty hangs over the economy, and the stock market endured historic volatility earlier this month. If that uncertainty continues and the market goes through additional ups and downs, gold investments can help temper your portfolio’s losses now and in the long term. 

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Yes, because they can still hedge against inflation 

In addition to providing portfolio diversification, gold has a reputation for being a hedge against inflation. In other words, having gold in your portfolio can protect you from a rise in inflation. If inflation increases, the value of the dollar tends to decline, losing spending power amid high prices for everyday items like groceries and gas. Meanwhile, gold’s value tends to be steady during inflation. 

Right now, you may think that using gold as an inflation hedge isn’t necessary since inflation has fallen two months in a row — from 3.0% in January to 2.8% in February and 2.4% in March. However, those two months followed four consecutive months of increased inflation from October to January. So, while the recent news about inflation has been good, it’s not a guarantee that April’s numbers will show further decline. And, even though inflation has fallen over the past two months, it still remains above the Fed’s target inflation rate of 2%. 

Yes, because it’s a tangible asset that’s desirable now as stocks and bonds underperform

The fact that you can purchase physical gold in the form of bars and coins is something that investors may find security in as they watched their stocks and bonds rise and fall at dizzying speeds just a few weeks ago. While physical gold can experience volatility, it’s typically stable over the long term. So, gold is a great fit for investors who want a tangible asset amid today’s economic uncertainties.

Gold bars and coins provide just that as they can be held and stored in the privacy of your own home or with a custodian. You won’t need to monitor market conditions that could erase your stocks and bonds overnight as your gold investment will be easily accessible and easy to sell locally or online. And you’ll have plenty of easy ways to purchase additional gold bars and coins should the price rise change again.

Where to buy gold bars and coins

There are several different options for where you can buy gold:

Gold companies

One of the easiest ways to acquire gold from a gold company is to buy the precious metal online. Online gold retailers allow you to buy physical gold and, in many cases, can ship it to your door. Additionally, the low overhead that online gold companies have may allow them to lower the premiums they charge, which could lead to lower gold prices. All gold companies aren’t the same, though. You’ll want to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable company — look for companies that have sound security measures in place for shipping your gold and offer authentication guarantees.

Local shops and jewelers

Buying gold from a reputable local business offers several advantages.

• Speed: Depending on where the nearest dealer or jeweler is located, you could buy your gold and bring it home in a matter of hours, if not minutes. 
• Relationship: Building a relationship with a reputable local dealer or jeweler means you have a reliable local source that can answer your questions and provide advice about physical gold.
• Liquidity: If you decide to sell your physical gold, you’ve typically got a buyer at your local gold dealer. 

Finding a dealer or jeweler with a good reputation for buying and selling gold is critical. Make sure you read online reviews and compare the services dealers and jewelers offer. 

Costco and other big retailers

Another convenient way to purchase gold is to buy it from big retailers such as Costco and Walmart. For example, Costco allows its members to buy 1-ounce gold bars and coins at stores, online and through the Costco app. While retailers may have a smaller selection of physical gold than a local dealer might have, buyers who prefer working with a well-known retailer are likely to find what they need from places like Costco. Keep in mind that, though, that inventory and selection tend to change over time. 

The bottom line

Gold bars and coins remain solid investments today, as its benefits go beyond just its price. The precious metal is a safe haven for investors who are concerned about market instability, inflation and the overall health of the economy. Thankfully, you can buy gold in a variety of forms, with physical bars and coins being an option that allows your investment to have a tangible form. As you decide about how much physical gold you want to buy, remember to limit your exposure to around 10% of your portfolio to not overcrowd other asset classes at the same time.