Costco and Walmart: Surprising Companies That Sell Real Gold Bars and Silver Coins

Many investors see the merits of adding physical gold to their investment portfolios. If you aren’t sure where to buy gold, the good news is that you can purchase this asset through a range of surprising retailers. 

You might already shop regularly at retailers that also sell gold bars or coins. Let’s explore whether you should start investing in gold and look at five popular places that sell precious metals.

One of the first decisions is to determine where to store the goods. Physical gold is a valuable asset, so you’ll need to store it securely.

A few options include buying a safe for your house or getting a safety deposit box at a bank. Once you have a storage solution that you feel comfortable with, then you can confidently add the purchase to your cart.

In addition to keeping your gold safe, you need to consider your investment goals. If you want to buy and hold as part of a diversified portfolio, stashing away gold or silver could suit your needs. 

But if you’re just starting your investment journey, then starting with physical gold might not suit your long-term plans. As always, it’s best to consult with a financial advisor.

One of the perks of Costco membership is that you can purchase small gold bars through the wholesale club. Members can purchase a maximum of five bars each. Unlike most Costco purchases, this precious metal is not refundable.

Although you can purchase the bars online, it might be worth seeing if your local warehouse has any in stock. Buying the bars in person may be slightly cheaper.

If you prefer shopping at Walmart, the retailer connects you to gold dealers on its website. Walmart offers a range of sizes for gold bars. Bars as small as one ounce and as large as one kilo are available through the website.

In addition to gold, silver is available for purchase.

Amazon makes it easy to purchase almost anything. With that, it might not be surprising that you can purchase gold bars through the e-commerce giant.

As with many items on Amazon, you can find a big selection. You’ll find gold coins and bars of various sizes. Plus, you can find silver coins and other precious metals available for purchase.

If you don’t want to purchase gold where you conduct your everyday shopping, one option is APMEX. The precious metals dealer is a well-known player in the space and offers a significant level of trust to its customers.

You can buy gold directly through this dealer. Depending on your needs, you might appreciate the variety offered through APMEX. For example, the website’s large selection includes gold coins with Pirates of the Caribbean branding.

In addition to gold, you can purchase silver, platinum, rare coins, and currency through the site.

In terms of a seller you can trust, it’s hard to beat the backing of the federal government. The United States Mint offers a wide range of currency products, including gold coins.

As of this writing, the most recently available gold coin is the American Buffalo 2024. The sticker price is $3,240 for the one-ounce gold coin. However, silver coins and platinum items are also available. 

Limited quantities of particular coins are a part of the appeal for investors purchasing from the U.S. Mint.

Physical gold is an appealing investment for many. If you want to make gold a part of your wealth building strategy, start by determining how to keep the investment safe. Generally, you can do this with a safe or a safety deposit box.

Since gold is a commodity, you’ll likely find similar prices across all retailers. But it doesn’t hurt to shop around to see if you can score a good deal.