Introduction: Not Just What to Buy — But How to Buy It
When buying gold or silver in New Zealand, one of the first questions is:
Should I buy gold or silver? And should I get coins or bars?
It can feel confusing at first — especially with so many choices. But it doesn’t have to be.
In this 2025 master guide, we break it all down. You’ll learn the pros and cons of coins vs bars, gold vs silver, local vs overseas bullion — and what to consider based on your goals.
Let’s dive in.
Table of contents
- Introduction: Not Just What to Buy — But How to Buy It
- 1. Gold vs Silver – Which Precious Metal is Right for You?
- 2. Coins vs Bars – What’s the Difference?
- 3. Bullion Coins vs Collectible Coins – Know the Difference
- 4. Local vs Overseas Bullion – What Should NZ Buyers Choose?
- 5. Which Type Suits You? Real-World Scenarios
- 6. Mixed Strategy: The Best of Both Worlds?
- FAQs: Coins vs Bars, Gold vs Silver in NZ
- Ready to Buy or Need Help Choosing?
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
1. Gold vs Silver – Which Precious Metal is Right for You?
Silver and gold each play a different role in wealth protection.
Gold is best for:
- Long-term wealth storage
- Low volatility
- Holding larger sums
Silver is best for:
- Lower entry cost
- Higher upside potential
- Diversification and barter scenarios
👉 For a deeper dive, see:
🔗 Should I Buy Gold or Silver? 7 Factors to Consider
2. Coins vs Bars – What’s the Difference?
Let’s compare the basics:
| Feature | Coins | Bars |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Over Spot | Higher | Lower |
| Resale Ease | Very High (esp. 1oz) | High (but varies by brand/size) |
| GST Exempt? | Yes – if 99.5%+ pure (gold) / 99.9%+ (silver) | Yes – if 99.5%+ (gold) / 99.9%+ (silver) |
| Storage | Bulkier | Compact, stackable |
| Recognition | Excellent (esp. from major mints) | Depends on refiner |
| Best For | Flexibility, resale, barter | Long-term storage, larger sums |
Tip: Smaller items (like 1oz coins) cost more per gram but are easier to sell or trade.
GST Purity Thresholds in NZ:
- Gold must be 99.5%+ pure to be GST exempt
- Silver must be 99.9%+ pure to be GST exempt
👉 See full details here: Gold & Silver Purity and GST Rules in NZ
3. Bullion Coins vs Collectible Coins – Know the Difference
It’s easy to get confused by all the different gold and silver coins out there.
Here’s the key distinction:
Bullion Coins
- Valued mainly for their metal content (e.g. 1oz of gold or silver)
- Premium is tied to spot price + modest fabrication cost
- Ideal for investors looking to protect wealth
- Examples: Canadian Maple Leaf, Perth Mint Kangaroo
Collectible (Numismatic) Coins
- Valued for rarity, design, historical interest, or condition
- Often carry very high premiums over spot
- Can be risky unless you’re a coin collector or specialist
- Not our area of focus — and not recommended for first-time buyers
👉 Learn more:
Should I Buy Bullion Coins or Numismatic Collectible Coins?
4. Local vs Overseas Bullion – What Should NZ Buyers Choose?
This often-overlooked question can cost or save you money.
NZ-Made Gold & Silver:
- GST-exempt (meets 99.5%+ purity for gold, 99.9%+ for silver)
- Lower premiums
- Easy local resale
- Example: 1oz NZ Cast Gold Bar
- Example: 1kg NZ Silver Cast Bar
Limitations:
- May be less recognised overseas
- Might require assay if selling abroad
- Lower resale price offshore vs. global brands
Offshore resale warning: Local bars may require assay certification if sold internationally. While most NZ dealers will buy back their own bars without question, this isn’t guaranteed overseas.
Overseas Coins and Bars (Maples, Eagles, Philharmonics)
✅ Globally recognised and easier to sell internationally
✅ Often command stronger resale prices offshore
❌ May attract GST if under-purity (e.g. Eagles/Krugerrands)
GST Status Overview:
- ✅ Maple Leafs (Gold & Silver) – GST exempt
- ✅ Perth Mint Kangaroo – GST exempt
- ❌ Krugerrand – Not GST exempt (91.67%)
- ❌ American Eagle – Not GST exempt (91.67%)
Key Question: Where Might You Sell?
If you’re:
- Staying in NZ: local bullion makes sense
- Considering future overseas sale or migration: go with recognised international coins
👉 Related reads:
🔗 Why Is a 1oz PAMP Bar Worth Less Than a Gold Maple?
🔗 PAMP vs Local Bullion – Which Should You Buy?
5. Which Type Suits You? Real-World Scenarios
👨💼 First-Time Buyer
Wants flexibility and simplicity → Start with a mix of silver coins and a small gold bar
🧳 Globally Mobile Investor
Plans to travel or live overseas → Focus on recognisable overseas coins
🏡 Wealth Preserver
Protecting large savings → Gold and silver bars offer lower cost per gram
🧑🌾 Barter-Minded Prepper
Concerned about system risk → Stack 1oz silver coins or 5oz barss
💡 After COVID, many began buying small silver to prepare for a cashless future or trade scenarios.
6. Mixed Strategy: The Best of Both Worlds?
Many buyers start with a mix — and for good reason:
- Bars → Lower premiums
- Coins → Trade flexibility
- Gold → Store of wealth
- Silver → Upside + barter
As of 2025, silver coin supply and premiums have stabilised from post-COVID spikes.
There’s no one-size-fits-all. But understanding these principles helps you build a strategy that suits you.
👉 Want help choosing the right kind of bar?
FAQs: Coins vs Bars, Gold vs Silver in NZ
A: Larger bars usually have the lowest premiums over spot.
A: They can be in some places. But we buy back bars just as easily in NZ.
A: Not if it meets purity requirements — 99.5%+ for gold, 99.9%+ for silver.
A: Most investors do — gold for storage, silver for growth or use.
A: 1oz silver coins or 5oz bars — affordable, divisible, recognisable.
Ready to Buy or Need Help Choosing?
We can help you decide what’s best for your goals and budget.
📩 Contact us at orders@goldsurvivalguide.co.nz
📞 Or call 0800 888 GOLD (465) for a free quote
👉 Or explore options online: Visit Our Online Shop
Editors Note: This article was originally written 26 January 2011. Fully updated 20 May 2025.
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immigrating from the states to NZ. bringing my wealth converted to gold. should i buy it here first in the states and carry it with me or waite and but it from nz mint? if i buy here the american gold eagles can i sell them there later? thanks for your help.
Hi Curt, Sorry about the slow reply – seems we somehow missed your comment. Thats a tough one to answer as it could depend on how much you are trying to leave the states with as to how the US authorities might treat the coins. Could be safer to buy here unless you can get an answer from US immigration before leaving.
One scenario I have thought of is- why would I sell my collection of bullion and to whom, really would depend on the prevailing economic circumstances. e.g. a world wide reset of the monetary system effecting NZD and every other fiat currency or simply trading your PM on say trademe.I could easily see the latter being an excellent way of maximising the value in the appreciating gold/silver one has salted away for such a time and eliminating the middlemen if confidence was lost in the kiwi dollar. Also a discreet way of selling small amounts for essentials.
Hi Mick, Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated.
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I’ve seen online that silver is undervalued by a factor of 20 when measured against historic value. What are your thoughts on this and is it likely to change in the short term?
Hi Tim, thanks for the question. I’m not sure if you noticed but we have a blog post from a week or 2 back that covers this exact topic: https://goldsurvivalguide.co.nz/wages-ancient-greece-nz-housing-say-silver-undervalued-factor-20/ And we come up with a number of around 20 too compared to housing and ancient wages. These have come down a little in recent years. Our guess is these ratios could fall a bit further in the next year or so too. It won’t be a straight line but we think the odds favour a return to similar levels in the next number of years/this decade.