- How to Handle Gold Bullion
- Should I Clean my Gold?
- Where to Store Gold Bullion
- Looking After Your Gold Investment
How to Handle Gold Bullion
The best way to protect your gold coins or bars is to not handle them unless it’s necessary, but sometimes you might want or need to. Gold is delicate, so to prevent your bullion from being damaged by a hard surface when handling it, place it on a clean towel or cloth on a flat surface. For an added precaution, you could also put something soft on the floor, in case your bullion falls.
Wear cotton, lint-free gloves to handle your gold. Don’t use latex gloves as the lubricants in them can damage the metal. If you cannot wear gloves, always make sure your hands are clean by using sanitiser to remove any oil that could cause damage. Always pick up coins by placing your finger and thumb around the edge, and not by touching the surface of the obverse or reverse.
Should I Clean my Gold?
You don’t need to clean gold bullion – in fact, doing so may damage a mint finish. Gold doesn’t corrode or tarnish, so it will stay bright when looked after well. However, don’t store gold with silver or with any tarnished metal. This could cause damage, as silver can oxidise and transfer tarnishes onto the unreactive gold. For storage, keeping your gold in airtight containers or capsules can help protect it.
Where to Store Gold Bullion
Finding the right place to store your gold is an important part of keeping it safe. We recommended choosing one of these three options:
1. Store your gold bullion at home
Storing your gold bullion at home in a safe lets you access it whenever you want to view it. However, it will be your responsibility to protect your gold from theft, and you may need a specialist home insurance policy if your bullion isn’t covered by a standard policy.
If you plan to store your bullion in a safe at home, here are some of the things you may need to think about:
• Size: The safe needs to be big enough for your gold bars and coins. It also shouldn’t be free-standing.
• Location: You should put your safe in a place that’s not too obvious. It also needs to be in the right environment – for example, away from any damp.
• Security: We recommend not telling people that you’re storing gold at home.
2. Store your gold bullion with a third party
If you plan to store your gold bullion in a third-party vault, consider issues such as security and protection from contamination. You will also want to find out from the storage party if there are any restrictions on when you can access your gold.
3. Storing your gold in The Vault®
When you buy gold bullion coins and bars from The Royal Mint, you can choose to have them delivered to your address or stored here at The Vault®. Our secure bullion storage service is guarded by trained security staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round. Your gold bullion will be given a serial number and will be fully allocated to you.
Looking After Your Gold Investment
Your gold bullion bars and coins are an investment worth looking after. By following the advice above and taking time to consider the best gold storage and care for your circumstances, you can ensure your investment remains in pristine condition for years to come.
