Platinum Bars vs. Coins: Which is the Better Investment?
What are Platinum Bars?
Platinum bars are blocks of pure platinum, available in various weights. At GoldRepublic, you exclusively purchase physical platinum in the form of bars, which are securely stored in Switzerland. Buying bars offers direct ownership of platinum, with the potential to benefit from the global value development of this rare precious metal.
What are Platinum Coins?
Differences Between Platinum Bars and Coins
Let's take a closer look at some key differences between platinum bars and coins to determine which option best fits your investment strategy.
- Costs and Premiums
Platinum bars generally have lower premiums than coins. This means that the price you pay above the spot price of platinum is lower for bars than for coins. Coins often come with a higher premium due to production costs, minting, and distribution. For investors looking to minimize costs, bars are often the more economical option.
- Purity and Weight
Platinum bars are offered in various sizes, ranging from a few grams to a kilogram or more, and typically have a purity of 99.95%. The larger bars are particularly suitable for investors looking to purchase significant quantities of platinum. Coins also typically have a high purity, but they are usually smaller in weight, making them less suitable for large investments. Additionally, coins often carry a nominal value, which does not truly reflect their actual value as a precious metal.
- Liquidity
Both bars and coins can be sold relatively easily, but there are differences in how liquid they are. Platinum coins are often popular among private collectors due to their design and rarity, but this makes them less attractive to institutional investors. Platinum bars, on the other hand, especially in larger formats, are recognized and traded globally, making them easier to sell at market prices. Additionally, bars can always be easily sold back through GoldRepublic, making your investment quickly liquid.
- Storage
Storage is an important aspect of precious metal investments. At GoldRepublic, your platinum is stored in the form of bars in a secure vault in Zurich, Switzerland. This not only provides you with safety but also peace of mind, knowing that your platinum is insured and professionally managed. Coins, on the other hand, are often stored at home by private investors, which carries higher risks such as loss, theft, or damage.
- Historical and Collectible Value
Platinum coins may have some historical or collectible value due to their design or limited mintage. This can be appealing to collectors, but for the pure investor, this is often less relevant. Platinum bars have no collectible value; their value is purely linked to the market price of platinum. This makes them more suitable for investors who want to focus on the intrinsic value of the precious metal.
Conclusion
While both platinum bars and coins offer their own advantages, bars clearly come out on top for serious investors. With lower costs, higher liquidity, and more secure storage options, platinum bars provide an efficient way to benefit from the value of this rare precious metal. At GoldRepublic, you can easily purchase physical platinum in the form of bars, with the assurance that your investment is securely stored in Switzerland.
Are you ready to invest in platinum bars?