Gold Coin vs Gold Bar: Which Has Lower Premiums? (Live Comparison)
Bars are often said to be cheaper than coins. Here is what our own live dealer data shows.
1 oz gold: coins vs bar
| Product | Lowest price | Dealer | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz South African Gold Krugerrand | $4,165.60 | Agate Metals | 0.5% |
| 1 oz Gold Bar | $4,184.46 | Agate Metals | 1.0% |
| 1 oz Austrian Gold Philharmonic | $4,205.46 | Agate Metals | 1.5% |
| 1 oz Canadian Gold Maple Leaf | $4,210.46 | Agate Metals | 1.6% |
| 1 oz British Gold Britannia | $4,231.09 | Kitco | 2.1% |
| 1 oz American Gold Eagle | $4,240.26 | Agate Metals | 2.3% |
| 1 oz American Gold Buffalo | $4,298.27 | Agate Metals | 3.7% |
Today: the cheapest 1 oz gold bar is 1.0% over spot, versus a median of 1.9% for the cheapest offer on each 1 oz gold coin above — the bar is cheaper by this measure.
Silver: 1 oz coins vs larger bars
| Product | Lowest price | Dealer | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 oz Silver Bar | $5,751.52 | SD Bullion | 1.8% |
| 1 oz American Silver Eagle | $59.42 | SD Bullion | 5.2% |
| 1 oz Canadian Silver Maple Leaf | $59.52 | SD Bullion | 5.3% |
| 1 Kilo Silver Bar | $1,945.68 | SD Bullion | 7.1% |
| 10 oz Silver Bar | $610.17 | SD Bullion | 8.0% |
| 1 oz British Silver Britannia | $62.85 | SD Bullion | 11.2% |
Data: our live price tables, Prices updated Oct 15, 2026 07:23 UTC · spot source: gold-api.com. Figures update automatically; single-unit prices, lowest-cost payment method listed by each dealer, excluding shipping and tax.
Things the premium doesn't capture
- Sovereign coins carry legal-tender status and are widely recognized; bars vary by brand.
- Large bars reduce premium per ounce but are less divisible when you sell.
- Buy-back prices differ by product; ask your dealer.
Related: Gold Eagle vs Buffalo, cheapest way to buy gold coins.
FAQ
Are gold bars cheaper than gold coins?
Often, but not always. This page compares the lowest live premium for a 1 oz gold bar with popular 1 oz gold coins in our latest update.
Do bigger silver bars have lower premiums?
Generally per ounce, yes; the table on this page shows today's figures for 10 oz, 1 kilo and 100 oz bars versus 1 oz coins.