There are different ways to invest in gold. You must decide upon which way works best for your needs.

People buy gold to diversify their investment portfolio; to put aside to cash in for retirement; to include in IRAs or other retirement accounts; as a collectible (in coins); as a hedge against the falling dollar and a weak stock market; and some believe that the dollar will become worthless and that gold is the only currency worth having in a time of true emergency.

After you decide upon how gold will best serve you, then choose the best form of gold to buy. Some people like gold jewelry. It is not always easy to sell, however, and you will not be offered anywhere near the purchase price. Large gold bars are another option, but they need to be carefully examined to determine if they are indeed solid gold or simply gold plated and filled with a worthless base metal. Bars are not easy to sell and you will have to pay an examination fee which will take money away from your return. Then there are gold stocks, which are an investment in a gold mine and not actual gold. This investment is closer to buying shares on the stock market. Even if gold jumps in value, there is no guarantee that the gold company that you invest in is making a profit.

The most popular way to buy investment grade gold is in coins.

Gold coins are U.S. and world coins minted before 1933, the year president Franklin D. Roosevelt took America off the gold standard and made owning non-numismatic gold illegal. These coins are common-date issues that are only worth the value of their gold content. They contrast with numismatic gold coins, which have a value about the gold melt value based upon rarity and condition and the rare coin market. Collecting these numismatic gold coins is a different way of investing in gold.

In 1974, it became legal again for Americans to own non-numismatic gold. U.S. Gold Exchange Group offers gold coins and gold bullion coins for sale. The U.S. gold bullion coins are available in the following weights: one oz., one-half oz., one-quarter oz. and one-tenth oz. Among other nations that issue gold bullion coins are Canada, Austria, Great Britain, and South Africa.