How Much Money Do I Need to Invest in Gold? [Minimum Amounts and Solutions for Small Investors]

You don’t need a fortune to start investing in gold. Are you working with a budget or looking to start small? Options are available from companies with little to no minimum for gold investments. 

You can buy physical gold for as little as $50 per coin, and top-rated American Hartford Gold and similar companies have low minimums for starting a gold IRA. In this guide, we’ll lay out solutions for modest gold investments and highlight companies that make the benefits of owning gold accessible for small investors. 

Table of Contents

1. What is the minimum amount you need to invest in a gold IRA?
2. What is the smallest amount you need to buy physical gold?
3. How much should you invest in gold?

What is the minimum amount of money you need to invest in a gold IRA?

The minimum amount you need to invest in a gold IRA can vary, but for most dealers, the initial investment starts at $10,000. That price point is accessible to many investors and gives you a choice of a few reputable providers. Other companies with higher minimums appeal to investors looking to build larger portfolios or gain access to more premium services. 

Your initial investment can come in the form of cash from savings or from another retirement account. Many investors chose to roll over funds from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, or other retirement accounts into a self-directed gold IRA. If you’re new to gold IRAs and considering an investment, we think American Hartford Gold is an excellent choice. 

American Hartford Gold’s $10,000 minimum offers the perfect balance of accessibility and professional service. If you’re prepared to invest more, Priority Gold has incentives and benefits tailored to higher-value accounts for an initial investment of $25,000. 

Premium customer service and educational resources are free of charge. 

Company	IRA minimum
American Hartford Gold	$10,000
Priority Gold	$25,000
Preserve Gold	$10,000
Patriot Gold Group	$25,000

What is the smallest amount of money you need to buy physical gold?

Physical gold comes in the form of coins, bars, jewelry, and bullion. You’ll find different price points for buying a single coin or a larger bar. The smallest amount you need depends on what you choose to invest in. 

Coins 

Gold coins are one of the most accessible ways to invest in physical gold. Popular coins, such as the American Gold Eagle or Canadian Maple Leaf, are available in sizes as small as 1/10 of an ounce. You can expect to pay $200 to $400 for fractional coins and upward of $3,000 for 1-ounce coins. 

Bars

Gold bars require a larger investment but offer a lower premium over the spot price of gold compared to coins. You can expect to pay $100 to $1,000 for fractional bars and upward of $2,500 for 1-ounce bars. Bars are better suited for investors with larger amounts of cash who want to benefit from lower transaction fees and premiums. 

Jewelry

You can purchase gold chains and jewelry as an investment, but they carry higher markups for craftsmanship and design. You can expect to pay $300 to $1,500 for a modest gold chain, depending on the weight and karat of the gold. Generally speaking, jewelry is more of a luxury item than an investment.  

Bullion

Bullion is a term used for larger quantities of bars that require a significant investment. Starting around $5,000 for a 50-gram gold bar, you can expect to pay $30,000 to $90,000 for the largest bars on the market. This type of investment is limited to experienced investors with higher budgets looking to store wealth in gold. 

American Hartford Gold has a $5,000 minimum for gold purchases. This price point gets small investors through the door with a practical amount of gold at competitive prices. Priority Gold’s minimum purchase of $10,000 may seem steep, but keep in mind that minimum purchase amounts are standard among reputable companies and ensure that you’re purchasing the highest-quality gold products.

Company	Purchase minimum
American Hartford Gold	$5,000
Preserve Gold	$5,000
Priority Gold	$10,000
Patriot Gold Group	$10,000

How much should you invest in gold?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Your ability to invest in any asset depends on your personal financial goals and tolerance for risk. However, many financial experts recommend allocating no more than 10% of your financial portfolio to gold. 

For most investors, 5% to 10% is enough to gain the added benefits of diversification without overexposure. In hard economic times, some experts recommend increasing your allocation to 15%. This strategy is meant to protect you during inflationary periods because gold doesn’t trade like traditional assets that are most affected by inflation.

Here’s what some organizations and experts recommend:

• Expert Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, recommends a 10% allocation to gold for a diversified portfolio. 
• The World Gold Council recommends allocating between 6% and 10% of your assets to gold to boost your returns in the long term. 
• Morningstar, a leading investment firm, recommends limiting your exposure to 15% of your total assets.

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Tip

While organizations such as the World Gold Council and some gold advocates emphasize the benefits of gold investments, keep in mind that their recommendations may reflect a pro-gold perspective due to their vested interests in the gold industry. Independent financial advisors or a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) can help tailor a gold allocation strategy to your personal financial situation, ensuring it aligns with your broader investment goals.

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It’s difficult to determine a “fair” price for gold because the value depends so much on investor sentiment. 

The fundamental metrics used to estimate valuations and possible returns are different for gold than for stocks and bonds. Also, gold doesn’t generate cash flow.

If a client already owns gold or is interested in adding it to their portfolio, I recommend limiting their exposure to 5%.

Chloe Moore, CFP®

Consider this 

During economic instability, a small allocation of gold (closer to 5%) may be enough. But if inflation continues to rise or geopolitical tensions increase, 15% may be a better safeguard. Also, if you are a long-term investor, allocating more of your portfolio to gold makes sense as a store of value and a complement to your stocks and bonds. 

Short-term investors who prioritize liquidity and returns should look to allocate less. Gold is less volatile than stocks, but it doesn’t generate dividends or interest. For many investors, a 10% allocation to gold is a balanced choice. 

How do I allocate my gold investments?

You can distribute your gold investments across multiple assets, including:

• Physical gold: Coins, bars, or bullion
• Gold IRAs: Invest in gold for retirement savings and tax benefits
• Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds: Convenient for exposure without the hassle of storage
• Gold mining stocks: Tied to profitable mining companies

Recap of gold company investment and purchase minimums 

For more about our top-rated companies, visit our best gold IRA and best gold dealers pages.