Frequently Asked Questions
About Gold Products
Definitions -
Investment-grade gold - refers to gold products (bars, grains, or coins) that are primarily purchased for their intrinsic metal value rather than any additional artistic, historical, or rarity factors.
Collectible gold - refers to gold items that derive value not just from the gold content but also from factors like historical significance, rarity, craftsmanship, or condition.
Key Differences -
Aspect | Investment-Grade Gold | Collectible Gold |
---|---|---|
Primary Value | Based on gold purity and weight. | Based on rarity, history, or design. |
Purity | Typically 99.5% or higher. | Can vary, often lower than bullion. |
Market | Highly liquid, globally recognized. | Niche market with specialized buyers. |
Premium | Minimal, tied to spot price. | Higher, influenced by collectibility. |
Gold Product Pricing and Spot Market
Our gold bar prices are dynamically updated on a minute-by-minute basis to reflect the most current market conditions. Here's how we determine our prices:
1. Market-Linked PricingOur base price is directly tied to the LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) gold spot ask price, which represents the most up-to-date benchmark for gold trading worldwide.
2. Additional Costs IncorporatedBeyond the spot price, our prices include essential costs that ensure you receive high-quality gold products. These costs include:
- Refining: The process of purifying gold to investment-grade quality.
- Minting: Crafting the gold into bars or grains with precision and quality assurance.
- Packaging: Secure packaging to protect the product.
- Distribution: Costs related to shipping, logistics, and warehousing.
- Transaction Fees: Covering operational and administrative expenses involved in selling and delivering the product.
To keep our pricing fair and competitive, we adjust it in real time based on changes in the LBMA spot price and fluctuations in associated costs.
4. Shipping and TaxesThe prices displayed on our website do not include shipping fees or applicable taxes. Any additional charges will be calculated and displayed during the checkout process, ensuring complete transparency before you finalize your purchase.
This transparent, market-linked approach ensures you receive value reflective of the true cost of gold while maintaining the highest standards of quality and service.
Yes, our prices are updated on a minute-by-minute basis to reflect the latest market conditions. The base price of our gold bars is tied directly to the LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) gold spot ask price, ensuring that our prices align with real-time fluctuations in the global gold market.
In addition to the spot price, our prices incorporate costs such as refining, minting, packaging, distribution, and transaction fees. This ensures transparency and consistency in the pricing of high-quality gold products.
Our real-time updates and transparent pricing model ensure you receive the most accurate and competitive prices at the time of purchase.
The LBMA Spot Market refers to the market where gold is traded at the current spot price, as determined by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). The spot price is the price at which gold can be bought or sold for immediate delivery.
The LBMA is a globally recognized authority in the precious metals market, and its spot price is widely regarded as the benchmark for the value of gold. This price fluctuates in real-time based on supply and demand factors in the global market. The LBMA spot price is used by dealers, banks, and investors to guide transactions and establish the market value of gold.
The trading symbol for the LBMA Gold Spot Market is XAU/USD.
- XAU represents one troy ounce of gold.
- USD represents the U.S. Dollar, which is the currency commonly used in gold trading.
This symbol is widely used in financial markets to quote the price of gold in relation to the U.S. Dollar, and it serves as the benchmark for spot gold trading globally.
The gold spot ask price and the gold spot bid price represent two different prices in the gold market:
1. Gold Spot Ask PriceThe ask price is the price at which a seller is willing to sell gold. It is typically higher than the bid price because the seller needs to cover costs and earn a profit. If you are buying gold, you will pay the ask price. Please note that when buying physical gold as a retail customer, you would likely incur other costs associated to refining, minting, packaging, distribution, and other costs.
2. Gold Spot Bid PriceThe bid price is the price at which a buyer is willing to purchase gold. It is generally lower than the ask price, as the buyer is looking to buy at the best possible price. If you are selling gold, you will receive the bid price. Please note that when selling physical gold in the retail market, you would likely incur additional costs associated to brokerage fees.
The difference between these two prices is known as the bid-ask spread, and it reflects the liquidity of the market. A narrower spread usually indicates a more liquid market.
Yes, we do charge a premium over the spot price. The base price of our gold bars is linked to the LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) gold spot ask price, but additional costs are included to ensure the quality and integrity of our products. These costs include refining, minting, packaging, distribution, and transaction fees.
The premium reflects the value added through these essential processes, which contribute to the creation of high-quality, certified gold bars. Our pricing is regularly updated to align with market fluctuations, ensuring transparency and fairness in the premiums we charge.
This premium is in line with industry standards and ensures that you receive the best value for your investment in gold.
Buying and Selling Gold
Yes, we offer a buy-back program where we purchase gold products at competitive rates based on the current spot price. This provides a convenient option for you to sell your gold back to us whenever needed. The rate we offer is reflective of the market conditions at the time of the transaction. Please note that buy-back offers are subject to approval by the My Gold Grams based on the circumstances prevailing at the time. Additional information may be needed for approval.
To find out more information or get assistance with the buy-back process, please feel free to contact our sales team at contact@mycow.io. We're happy to help!
Yes, you can sell gold to us even if you didn't purchase it from our business. We evaluate and purchase gold from other sources, provided it meets specific quality standards. Please note that only investment-grade gold products are accepted for purchase.
If you're interested in selling your gold, our team will assess its quality based on our criteria to ensure it meets the standards for buy-back. To get more details or begin the process, feel free to contact us at contact@mycow.io. We're here to assist you!
You can bring or ship your gold to us for evaluation. Once assessed and approved, we offer a buy-back price based on the current market value.
To find out more information or get assistance with the buy-back process, please feel free to contact our sales team at contact@mycow.io. We're happy to help!
Delivery and Storage
Yes, we provide options for insured shipping for most gold purchases. For all orders placed through USPS Ground service, $100 in shipping insurance is included at no additional cost.
Additionally, we offer the option to use USPS Registered Mail service, which provides insurance based on the declared value of the order. USPS Registered Mail includes insurance coverage within the U.S. and to select international locations, including major countries such as Canada, the UK, Australia, and parts of the European Union. Please note that the availability of USPS Registered Mail service may vary depending on your specific shipping location.
If you would like to avail of USPS Registered Mail service, please see the available options at checkout, based on your shipping location and the value of your order. For any further questions or assistance, feel free to contact us!
We take great care in packaging your gold products to ensure their safety and integrity during transit.
- Gold Grains and Certain 1g Bars: These products are packaged in a velvet/silk pouch and enclosed in a resealable plastic for added protection and presentation.
- Other Gold Bars: These are sent in packaging that is specifically designed to prevent tampering, ensuring that your gold arrives in the same condition it was shipped.
This thoughtful packaging ensures that your gold is secure and well-protected from any potential damage or tampering during delivery.
We make storing your gold easy and secure by facilitating the process on your behalf. Here's how it works:
- Secured Vaults at Depository Institutions: We work with selected, trusted depository institutions that specialize in precious metals storage. Your gold is stored in their secure vaults, which are equipped with advanced security features and meet industry standards for safety.
- Comprehensive Support: We handle the logistics and coordination, ensuring your gold is securely stored in the vault of your choice, freeing you from the complexities of managing storage yourself.
- Versatility: The depository institutions we work with help customers store precious metals for a variety of purposes, including as assets within Self-Directed Individual Retirement Accounts (SDIRAs), Self-Directed Solo 401Ks (SD401k), and Self-Directed Education Savings Accounts (SDESAs).
- Full Ownership and Access: While we facilitate the storage process, you retain full ownership of your gold and can manage or withdraw it as needed through a simple and transparent process. Rules and restrictions may be applicable for Self-Directed Accounts.
Our storage facilitation service provides a seamless and reliable solution to protect your gold investments. For more details on how we can assist, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Tax and Regulatory Compliance
No, our gold products are not subject to VAT in the United Kingdom, the European Union, or Switzerland because we sell only investment-grade gold bullion.
- UK: Investment-grade gold is exempt from VAT under UK law.
- EU: Investment-grade gold is also VAT-exempt in most EU member states, exceptions including countries like Hungary and Croatia.
- Switzerland: Investment-grade gold is exempt from VAT under Swiss law.
This makes our gold products a tax-efficient option for customers in these regions.
If you have any further questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us!