Where and how to store physical gold

Options for storing coins and bars, their costs and the risks of each.

If you buy physical gold, deciding where to keep it matters as much as deciding how much to buy. Each option strikes a different balance between cost, security and access.

At home

Pros: immediate access and no monthly cost.
Cons: risk of theft, fire or loss. Many home insurance policies don't cover precious metals or have low limits; check yours.
If you do it: use an anchored safe, don't tell anyone, and keep purchase receipts somewhere else.

A bank safe deposit box

Pros: more physical security than at home.
Cons: you pay a fee, can only access it during bank hours, and the box's contents usually aren't insured by the bank. Ask what the contract covers.

Professional custody

Some companies store precious metals for clients in vaults, sometimes in another country.

Pros: high security, often with insurance included, and easy selling without moving the metal.
Cons: you pay a custody fee and depend on the company. Check that the metal is held in your name ("segregated" or "allocated" custody) and that the company is audited.

Good practices

Keep the invoice and certificates for every piece: they make selling easier and prove origin.
Don't clean or handle coins more than necessary; marks can lower their resale value.
Spread the location if the amount is large.
Leave your family clear instructions on where it is and how to access it.

FAQ

Does a gold ETF need me to store anything?

No. The fund looks after the metal, and its cost is included in the fund's annual fee.

What does allocated custody mean?

That specific pieces of metal are registered in your name and aren't mixed with the company's or other clients' holdings.