There’s nothing quite like holding a gold coin in your hand. And owning some real gold offers a number of ­­­­­advantages you simply can’t get with other investments. And since gold is a natural hedge against the stock market, it’s an excellent way to diversify, too.

This article will cover the basic do’s and don’ts of buying gold coins, including the advantages of owning them, the best gold coins to buy, the best places to buy (including if you should buy online or on eBay), and how to avoid getting ripped off. With a few simple guidelines you’ll be on your way to owning one of mankind’s longest-living assets.

This guide to investing in gold coins will seek to answer some of the common questions we hear including:

• Why buy gold coins?
• How & where to buy?
• Which gold coins should you buy?
• Should you invest in numismatic gold coins?
• What are the most popular gold coins?
• Can you purchase gold coins from a bank?
• What’s the best place to buy? Can you trust online dealers?

Let’s start with something about gold coins that many investors aren’t aware of…