Independent reviews of premiums, shipping, and buyback bids, so you can buy gold and buy silver without overpaying. No IRA pitches. Just metal shipped to your door.
Premiums shown are typical on 1 oz American Eagles at test time. Every dealer below ships physical bullion to consumers in the US.
Best overall pricing on gold and silver bullion
Largest selection of gold and silver coins
Lowest premiums on silver bullion
Rare coins and collectibles
Personal service and storage perks
Brand recognition and live market data
Balanced pricing and exclusive rounds
Premiums change daily with spot price. Use this as a baseline. Always confirm the dealer's live price before placing an order.
| Dealer | Gold premium | Silver premium | Free shipping | Buyback | Storage | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Noble Gold | 2.3% | 8% | Orders $99+ | Check, wire, card, crypto | ||
JM Bullion | 2.9% | 12% | Orders $199+ | Check, wire, card, crypto | ||
SD Bullion | 2.5% | 9% | Orders $199+ | Check, wire, card, crypto | ||
APMEX | 3.2% | 14% | Orders $199+ | Check, wire, card, PayPal | ||
Money Metals | 2.7% | 10% | Orders $500+ | Check, wire, card, crypto | ||
Kitco | 3.0% | 13% | Orders $999+ | Check, wire, card | ||
Provident Metals | 2.8% | 11% | Orders $199+ | Check, wire, card, crypto |
We research every dealer, compare order-confirmation prices to live spot, and track shipping and buyback. No dealer pays for placement.
Exact premium over spot at checkout for 1 oz gold and 1 oz silver across multiple weeks.
Years in business, BBB rating, independent reviews, and crisis-era performance.
Free thresholds, insured packaging, delivery times, and tamper-evident seals.
How competitive their bids are when you sell back, the silent cost of bullion.
The biggest mistake new buyers make is watching the sticker price instead of the premium over spot. A 1 oz American Gold Eagle and a 1 oz gold bar contain the same metal, but the Eagle often carries a 2-3% higher premium. If you want exposure to gold itself, generic bars and rounds from a reputable gold dealer are the cheapest way in.
Silver works the same way, only the spread is wider. A reputable silver dealer will sell generic 1 oz rounds at roughly 8-10% over spot. Government coins like the Silver Eagle run 14-20% over. If you just want to buy silver as a metal position, rounds win on price-per-ounce every time.
Before you buy gold or silver, check three things: the dealer's live premium (not yesterday's), their free shipping threshold, and their buyback bid. A dealer that quotes 2% over spot but only buys back at 3% under is more expensive than one with a 3% premium and spot-flat buyback.
Noble Gold leads with the lowest premiums and best customer service. JM Bullion and APMEX follow for selection and trust, SD Bullion has low premiums, and Money Metals Exchange offers strong customer service. Always compare the live premium over spot.
Noble Gold and SD Bullion offer the lowest premiums on silver rounds and bars. JM Bullion and APMEX have the deepest inventory of government-minted silver coins.
Look for at least 10 years in business, an A+ BBB rating, thousands of independent reviews, transparent pricing tied to live spot, insured shipping, and a clear buyback policy.
Online dealers almost always win on price for sealed bullion thanks to volume. Local shops can be competitive for fractional coins and immediate pickup, but expect to pay 1-3% more on average.