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Jing Pan
Updated Dec 4, 2025
For bargain hunters, Costco has long been a go-to destination. Case in point: gold bars.
In late 2023, Costco began selling two types of 1-ounce gold bars: the PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna Veriscan bar and the Rand Refinery bar, priced at $1,979.99 and $1,949.99, respectively, according to Business Insider.
Despite the hefty price tag, both quickly became hot sellers. “When we load them on the site, they're typically gone within a few hours,” then-CFO Richard Galanti said during a September 2023 earnings call.
Since then, the price of the gold bars increased by 74% and 71% — a jump which is in line with the broader gold market.
Why investors are flocking to gold
Gold is considered a classic safe haven. Gold isn’t tied to any one country, currency or economy, and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors often flock to it — driving prices higher.
“People don't have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” billionaire investor Ray Dalio told CNBC. “When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.” So, exactly how much gold should you own?
Dalio recently advised that investors should consider allocating around 15% of their portfolios to alternative assets such as gold or cryptocurrency as a hedge against systemic economic risks.
During periods of high inflation, gold prices have increased more than 20%, according to a report by The World Gold Council. The same report recommends allocating 6% to 10% of your portfolio to gold.
A golden opportunity
One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA.
A gold IRA allows you to directly invest in physical gold or gold-related assets within your retirement portfolio, offering the tax advantages of an IRA alongside the long-term security of gold. It’s a compelling option for those aiming to protect their retirement savings from inflation and economic instability.
There are specific rules around gold IRAs — and some states have different tax structures for the sale of gold and silver. It’s important to choose the right dealer and custodian to help you navigate regulatory and taxation hurdles.
With Thor Metals, you can get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.
Another gold IRA provider worth considering is Goldco. The precious metals investing company only accepts well-known, government-backed coins and bullion such as the American Eagle.
With a minimum purchase of $10,000, Goldco offers free shipping and access to a library of retirement resources. Plus, the company will match up to 10% of qualified purchases in free silver.
If you’re curious whether this is the right investment to diversify your portfolio, you can download your free gold and silver information guide today.
Another way to invest in gold
Buying gold bars from Costco might grab headlines, but it’s far from the most practical way to invest in gold.
A smarter, simpler option? Gold ETFs. These exchange-traded funds let you invest in gold just like buying a stock — no vaults, no safes, no stress. It’s a low-maintenance way to tap into gold’s timeless value.
The assets associated with these ETFs provide you with exposure to the gold price, gold mining companies or other gold-related assets.
The SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD), for example, is backed by physical gold and tracks the spot price of the precious metal. You can purchase gold ETFs through most major stock brokerages.
One option is to open a self-directed trade account with SoFi.
This DIY approach allows you to invest with no commission fees, plus for a limited time you can get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account.
Jing Pan
Investment Reporter
Jing is an investment reporter for MoneyWise. He is an avid advocate of investing for passive income. Despite the ups and downs he’s been through with the markets, Jing believes that you can generate a steadily increasing income stream by investing in high quality companies.
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