By Mark Sandulli · Founder & editor · Updated October 13, 2026 · Not financial advice
A fair premium on a 1 oz gold coin in 2026 is roughly 4–8% over the spot price. A 1 oz gold bar is usually cheaper, around 3–5%. If a dealer is charging much more than that for plain bullion, keep shopping.
What "spot" and "premium" mean. The spot price is what one ounce of raw gold trades for right now. Nobody can buy a coin at spot, because someone has to mint it, ship it and sell it. The premium is the extra you pay on top of spot to cover those costs and the dealer's profit.
Typical premiums in 2026
| Product | Typical premium over spot |
|---|---|
| 1 kg gold bar | 1–3% |
| 1 oz gold bar (PAMP, Valcambi) | 3–5% |
| 1 oz Krugerrand | 3–5% |
| 1 oz Canadian Maple Leaf | 4–6% |
| 1 oz American Gold Eagle | 4–8% |
| 1 oz American Gold Buffalo | 5–8% |
| 10 g bar | 5–8% |
| 1 g bar | 10–18% |
These are typical single-coin prices. Larger orders often get 1–3% less, and premiums can double or triple when demand spikes.
Why premiums differ
- Size: small pieces cost more per ounce, because the minting cost is spread over less gold.
- Brand: government coins like the Eagle are recognized everywhere, so they cost a little more and are easier to sell.
- Collector coins: proof and graded coins can cost many times the bullion premium. If you're buying gold as gold, skip them.
- How you pay: many dealers charge a few percent more for credit cards than for bank wire or check. Compare the payment method you'll actually use.
How to check a price in 30 seconds
- Note today's spot price on our homepage.
- Take the dealer's total for one coin, including shipping, and divide by spot.
- A result of 1.05 means a 5% premium. Compare it with the table above.
Watch out for: any salesperson steering you from plain bullion toward "rare" or "exclusive" coins. That's where the biggest markups hide.
Compare today's prices → · Not sure what to buy? Take the 30-second quiz →
Where to buy
Ready to buy? Compare these dealers
- JM BullionFree shipping over a minimum orderView prices
- APMEXOne of the largest selections onlineView prices
- SD BullionCompetes hard on low premiumsView prices
- Bullion ExchangesCoins, bars and rare coinsView prices
Compare the total price for the same coin, and pay from your bank account if you can; it’s usually cheaper than a credit card. We may earn a commission from these links; it never changes the order. How we make money.
This is general information, not financial advice. Gold prices can go down as well as up.
Sources: MetalCharts coin premiums, Sept 2026 · USAGold Gold Eagle guide, Sept 2026
About this guide
Written by Mark Sandulli, founder of BestGoldPrice.com. Mark is not a financial advisor, tax professional, attorney or precious-metals dealer. This guide is general information based on public sources, not financial, tax or legal advice, and it may contain errors or be out of date. Precious metals can lose value. Confirm prices, fees and rules with the company and a licensed professional before you buy. We may earn a commission from some links. Read our full disclaimer.
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