Precious metals have long been a popular investment choice. Metals like gold and silver retain their value even when the stock market plunges. So if you’re looking to add these metals to your investment portfolio, now is a good time. However, as a beginner investor, you’ll likely be overwhelmed by the numerous buying options available today. Read this brief article to find out how and from where you can buy gold and silver easily.

Types of physical bullion
Before getting your hands on precious metals, it’s vital to know that they come in different shapes, sizes, and styles. The most common forms of physical bullion include coins, rounds, and bars. Coins are considered the most valuable as they are both manufactured and backed by the government. Although rounds look like coins, they are minted by private minting companies, and their value is entirely based on precious metal content. Bars, on the other hand, are rectangular ingots produced by private mints.

The best places to buy gold and silver
A local coin shop and an online dealer are the two most common places to buy gold and silver coins, rounds, or bars. The most significant advantage of getting precious metals from a local dealer is that you can physically see the product and purchase it right away. With a local dealer, pricing is based on the actual price of the metal at the date of purchase. However, the common problem is that they have limited product choices.

If you want to choose from a wider selection, an online dealer is a perfect option. It is also where you can buy gold and silver at lower prices than a local dealer. However, since you need to pay upfront when shopping online, you must ensure that the dealer is reliable and will give you a genuine product. But there are many reliable online dealers in the market today. Visit their websites, check out their policies, and read reviews to determine whether a particular dealer is trustable.

Payment method
This can vary from one dealer to another. However, most local and online dealers accept payment via credit or debit cards, PayPal, paper checks, and bank wire.

If you’re still wondering where is the best place to buy silver and gold, the simple answer is there isn’t a single “best” place. Depending on your convenience, you can choose to buy gold and silver coins, rounds, and bars from wherever you prefer.