Generic gold bars and unbranded investment coins arranged on dark slate under warm side light

Physical metals · bars & coins

Physical
Precious Metals.

Maltaro sources and sells bars and coins in gold, silver, platinum and palladium. We explain product specification, premium, insured delivery arrangements and the practical terms before you decide.

Talk to us

LBMA-referenced pricing

Insured delivery

Every cost stated before you decide

Live market reference

Gold, silver, platinum and palladium.

Live reference

Yahoo Finance futures references (GC=F, SI=F, PL=F, PA=F), USD per troy ounce · retrieved 26 Sept 2026, 07:22. Refreshes up to once per minute.

Physical-gold considerations

Why buyers consider physical gold.

The supplied investor guides emphasise practical ownership, product choice and tax context. For Maltaro, the point is not a return promise: it is that the product, documentation and route to sale should be understood before a decision is made.

Macro view of the milled edge and abstract struck detail on an unbranded gold bullion coin

Tangible and identifiable

A physical bar or coin is a defined product with its own weight, fineness and documentation. Insured delivery arrangements should be set out before acquisition.

Choice of format

Coins and bars are not interchangeable. Size, purity, premium and the practical selling route can differ, so the format should match the buyer’s objective rather than a generic recommendation.

Different UK tax contexts

Investment-grade gold and UK legal-tender coins can have different tax treatment. This is general information only: eligibility and personal tax outcomes should be checked independently.

Source basis: the two physical-gold reference guides supplied to Maltaro. Product availability, tax treatment and selling terms depend on the item and the buyer’s individual circumstances.

The process

How buying physical metals with Maltaro works.

Four steps, each documented before the next begins.

  1. 01

    Talk

    We discuss the metal, format, insured delivery process and the questions you need answered. There is no obligation.

    Written answers

  2. 02

    Quote

    We quote against the live market reference and set out the product premium, specification and relevant commercial terms.

    Written quote

  3. 03

    Acquisition

    If you proceed, the invoice and product information confirm the item and the ownership route selected.

    Invoice + specification

  4. 04

    Delivery

    Your metal is dispatched by the confirmed insured-carrier route. Keep the invoice, product specification and delivery record.

    Delivery record

Every cost is set out in writing before step 03.

Complete Britannia gold coin in a clear capsule standing upright on its thin edge

Physical formats

Gold and silver, with context.

Coins and bars are distinct physical formats. Review the actual item's fineness, weight, product documentation and commercial terms before deciding.

01 · Coins

A distinct physical format.

Coin products can differ by denomination, metal content, year, condition and premium. Review the exact item rather than treating coins as interchangeable.

02 · Gold bars

A simple physical format.

Bars can vary by size, refiner and premium. Ask for the hallmark, fineness, weight, serial number and assay information where applicable.

Coins are supplied graded and encapsulated where stated, with the certification number provided. You can verify any PCGS number independently before you buy.

A Maltaro research checklist

Format, weight and fine-metal specification

Mint, refiner and product documentation

Condition, year and product premium

Ownership records and practical resale considerations

Tax treatment depends on the product and individual circumstances. Maltaro does not provide tax advice; consider independent professional advice where appropriate.

The price paid for a physical item is never the spot price alone.

Price formation

The spread matters more than the headline price.

Spot is a market reference. It is not automatically what you pay, and it is not automatically what you receive if you later sell. Product format, premium, availability and the dealer's buying terms all affect the difference.

market reference

Spot

The market reference used to frame a live quote.

your price

Acquisition

Your price can include a product premium, insured delivery and applicable commercial terms.

later sale

Sale

A later sale can be below the same market reference. Ask how the resale spread is determined before you buy.

This is an explanatory framework, not a quote. Product premium and resale terms are confirmed in writing for the specific item and time of quote.

Delivery process

Insured, direct to you.

Physical metals are delivered to you. The carrier arrangements, signature requirements, documentation and all relevant costs are confirmed before you decide.

Illustrative unbranded secure parcel hand-over with a signature device at a residential doorway

What to expect

Direct possession, clearly documented.

  1. 01

    DispatchInsured carrier arrangements are confirmed for the product before acquisition.

  2. 02

    ReceiptDelivery is discreet and requires a signature from the receiving client.

  3. 03

    RecordsKeep the invoice, product specification, delivery record and any assay documentation.

Once delivery is complete, the physical item and its safekeeping are your responsibility.

UK tax context

Product form can matter.

Tax treatment is not the same for every metal, bar or coin. Ask about it before you choose a format.

Investment gold

Qualifying investment-gold coins and bars can fall within HMRC's VAT-exempt rules. The coin or bar and the sale conditions matter.

Sterling coins

HMRC treats certain UK legal-tender coins, including Britannia gold coins and later Sovereigns, as sterling currency for CGT purposes.

Other formats

Silver, platinum, palladium and non-qualifying formats can have different VAT and CGT considerations. Confirm the position for the exact product.

This is general information, not tax advice. Your position depends on your circumstances — please take advice from a qualified adviser. Read HMRC's investment-gold VAT guidance.

Due diligence

Questions to ask any bullion dealer.

Precious metals are physical products, not a single price on a screen. The product, premium, ownership route and potential selling spread all need to be clear.

What is the product specification?

Ask for the metal, weight, fineness, mint or refiner details and the exact form of the product being quoted.

How does the premium work?

The acquisition price can include a premium above a market reference. We explain the basis of the quote and our commercial terms before you buy.

How is the product delivered?

We explain the insured-carrier route, discreet packaging, signature requirement and documentation before you buy.

What fees apply?

Ask about the product premium, delivery, administration and resale costs. We state our relevant fees in writing.

How could I sell?

Selling routes can include dealer acquisition or secondary-market sale. The sale price can differ from a market reference and is not guaranteed.

What evidence will I retain?

Keep the invoice, product specification, delivery record and any assay documentation relevant to the item.

FAQs

Questions, answered.

Practical answers about physical products, ownership routes and the questions worth asking before you decide.

Which metals are available?+
We can discuss physical gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Product availability depends on the specific format and current market access.
What is the premium over spot?+
A product quote can include a premium above a market reference. The premium depends on the exact metal, weight, format, condition and availability. We explain the basis before you decide.
How does the resale spread work?+
The spread is the difference between the acquisition terms and a later dealer buying price. It can vary by product and market conditions. Ask for the relevant resale terms before acquisition.
How is delivery arranged?+
The insured-carrier route, discreet packaging, signature requirement and documentation are confirmed for the product before acquisition.
What happens after delivery?+
Once the item is delivered to you, its safekeeping is your responsibility. Consider your own security and insurance arrangements.
What documentation do I receive?+
Keep the invoice, item specification, delivery record and any assay documentation. For graded coins, ask for the certification number and how it can be checked independently.
Does Maltaro provide investment advice?+
No. Maltaro sources and sells tangible assets and provides general educational information. The decision to buy is yours, based on your own research and assessment.

Talk to us

Start with the information.

Read free market context, ownership guides and product questions first. No details are required to explore these resources.

Information first. Any decision remains yours.

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Research library

Read the latest context

Free buyer guides, source material and the questions worth asking.

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Tangible assets can fall as well as rise in value. Capital is at risk.

Cover of the Maltaro Gold Guide

Precious metals guide

Take the questions with you.

A clear introduction to physical formats, premiums, tax context and the ownership questions to ask.