Foto: RDNE Stock project / Pexels10 Tips for Buying Precious Metals for Crisis Preparedness
Buying gold and silver for crisis preparedness — 10 important tips for beginners. Where to buy, what to buy, how to store, and which mistakes to avoid.
Why Precious Metals in Crisis Preparedness?
Gold and silver have thousands of years of history as stores of value. In crisis times where fiat currencies lose trust, precious metals have historically preserved or increased their value.
These 10 tips help with getting started correctly.
Tip 1: Buy Smaller Denominations
A 1 kg gold bar is of little use in a crisis — you can't "make change" from it. Buy smaller denominations:
Gold: 1g, 2g, 5g, 10g coins or bars Silver: 1 oz (31g) coins
Smaller denominations allow flexible exchange.
Tip 2: Prefer Coins Over Bars
Investment coins (Krugerrand, Maple Leaf, Vienna Philharmonic) are globally known and accepted. Bars from unknown mints can be harder to exchange in a crisis.
Additionally: coins are harder to counterfeit than bars.
Tip 3: Only Buy from Reputable Dealers
Reputable sources:
- Directly from mints (Deutsche Münze, Münze Österreich)
- Established precious metals dealers (pro aurum, Degussa, Philoro)
- Banks (often higher premiums)
Avoid:
- Unknown online shops without reviews
- eBay private sellers (counterfeiting risk)
- Deals that sound "too good"
Tip 4: Have Authenticity Verified
For larger amounts: have coins authenticated by a reputable dealer (Sigma Metalytics device, density measurement).
For own verification: acid test sets for silver (€10-20) or density measurement with water displacement.
Tip 5: Storage: Dry, Secure, Not Only at Home
Options:
- Bank safe deposit box (secure, but not in a bank collapse scenario)
- Home safe (fireproof, embedded in concrete or wall)
- Distributed storage (not everything in one place)
For crisis preparedness: home safe for "emergency liquidity" + external storage for larger holdings.
Tip 6: Silver Is Cheaper Than Gold — and More Practical
One ounce of gold currently costs €1,800-2,000. One ounce of silver costs €22-28. For small crisis transactions, silver is more practical.
Recommended: mix of gold (store of value) and silver (small transactions).
Tip 7: Watch Out for VAT on Silver
In Germany: gold investment coins and bars are VAT-free. Silver is subject to the differential VAT system — always buy silver with differential taxation (stated "incl. differential taxation").
Tip 8: Don't Put Your Entire Emergency Fund in Precious Metals
Rule of thumb: 5-20% of liquid assets in precious metals as crisis protection. The rest stays liquid for everyday crisis scenarios (power out, no cash).
Tip 9: Keep Purchase Documentation
Keep purchase receipts (for inheritance, taxes, proof of origin). In a fireproof safe or digitally encrypted.
Tip 10: Buy Regularly Instead of One Large Purchase
Dollar-cost averaging (regular small purchases) reduces the risk of buying expensively at the wrong time. Investing €50-100 per month in silver is cheaper than a one-time €1,200 purchase when the price is high.
Conclusion
Precious metals are a sensible addition to crisis preparedness — not a replacement for liquidity and practical preparation. Following these 10 tips ensures safe and sensible buying.
