i've been thinking about getting a small amount of gold - not interested in ETFs or shares or virtual bullion, i want to physically hold it.

spoke to a coin dealer today, who has a few Krugs at 0% premium against today's spot. his preference by far is cash purchase (as is mine)

are there pitfalls? does he sound a bit shady, taking cash only, no premium? or has he not been watching the price? he gave me the price without checking (unlike the big dealer in Blackpool)

should i expect some kind of cert or assay with the coins? or is it a case of taking the chance... i don't want to buy a bunch of painted tin...

you won't get an assay or anything with them. Do you have a real krug to take with you to compare? or a ruler and a set of scales? (check diameter and weight - gold is a hell of a lot heavier than tin). Cash is not unusual but the 0% above spot is (imo)

If he's a proper established coin dealer with the (Shiny Round Things Club of Britain- whatever the main dealers' Federation is, can't remember) I'd be ok about taking just the one, and giving it the 3rd degree at home. Bit of Archimedes (or ask your friendly neighbourhood hash merchant for a shot of his scales?). And there's always the Fisch coin device . Then you have a fair idea of when you've been slipped a wrong'un. Listen to the ringing sound it makes when spun onto the counter, too.

The chap I harass for sovs. was obliged to jack up his to £85 last week due to the spot price spike (and a shortage of supply (well, cleaned out, actually) caused by f'rinstance Chindians hoovering them up in the last few weeks all of a sudden, cash purchase) which is tolerable to me as I actually collect the wretched things in a sad geeky way, but previously he'd not been making owt on 'em really. After all, as many on this forum will no doubt be pleased to point out, you can't pay taxes with 'em, or eat the bastids Stack 'em up and ship 'em out, that's the ticket!

You must excuse me, I have to leave now and go and lie on the floor, weeping, as I've driven a few hundred miles today and got home just in time to realise that I want James McFadden's babies. And Alex McCleish's. No sod it I'll just neck this case of Tennent's I picked up on the way back.

Yes, Goldfinger, if you're about, there are a very few select things which are better than gold . And even on the crackly old car radio, this was one of them.

Wario, your reply has cheered me up so much i realise the end of the world is not nigh,or even nigh on nigh -
i think i'll leave the gold thing to the experts..

..but if any seasoned gold folk are on here, check out the 14th one down on
http://www.numis.co.uk/central.html

On Friday my last Krugerrand order arrived, I paid 10 pounds over spot for 2007 minted Krugerrand , the source was www.CoinInvestDirect.com in London. I guess this was a good price too, - unfortunately they have no cheaper older years. But if gold is going to 1000$/oz, it´s not important if you paid 5,10 or 20 pounds less or more ...it´s important that you HAVE gold... :-)))