How to Buy Physical Bullion (Gold, Silver, Platinum) with Jaggards Gold
Thinking about buying physical bullion? In this Bulls vs Bears special, MPC Markets sits down with Hercules, CEO of Jaggards Gold, to demystify buying gold, silver, and platinum — from coins vs bars and brand premiums (PAMP, Perth Mint, ABC) to vaulting, insurance, KYC…
Jaguards Gold — a quick history Founded in 1963 by Robert Jaggards, the firm began as a numismatic house (rare coins & banknotes) and evolved into a modern bullion dealer. Robert helped kick off the Perth Mint bullion program; since 2016, the new team has grown the business while keeping the original legacy alive. Bullion vs numismatics (collectibles) Bullion = priced on metal content and spot price (form factor changes the premium and spread). Numismatics = priced on rarity, condition, mintage, history (think art market dynamics). If you want pure exposure to precious metals, stick to bullion. If you love history/design and potential collector upside, numismatics can be rewarding — with higher skill/selection risk. How to buy: online or in-store (and how price lock-ins work) Online (24/7): Choose products on the website, add to cart, checkout. KYC: over A$5,000 requires ID verification (driver’s licence/passport) via secure pass-through. Price is locked at purchase time; lead time relates only to fulfilment/availability. Delivery options: Collect in-store (ID required), Insured courier to you (signature required), or Concierge vaulting (see below). In-store (Mon–Fri, ~9:00–4:30): Payment: bank transfer (goods released on cleared funds), cash up to A$10,000, or card (surcharge). Stock-dependent: walk out with metal if available; otherwise, lock price and await stock. Vaulting & insurance (concierge model) Pool-allocated: specific bars/coins are allocated to you, sealed, and stored. Annual fees (indicative): ~0.5% for gold, ~1.0% for silver (based on revalued metal each FY). Fully insured while vaulted and during insured delivery. Selling from the vault is simple: call/email to lock a price; proceeds are transferred once the position is closed. When vaulting shines: You’re outside Sydney (or want frictionless logistics), You value insurance & chain-of-custody, You want fast resale without physically moving metal. Product types: cast bars, minted bars, and coins Cast bars: lowest premiums, tactile/“raw” look; great for stacking value. Soft metal — handle with care. Minted bars: mid-tier premiums; sealed cards, serialized; strong aesthetics and recognition. Coins: highest premiums; intricate designs, capsule packaging, legal tender with face value (e.g., Perth Mint Kangaroo/Lunar series). Often most recognisable globally and harder to counterfeit. Tip: Keep mint packaging intact — damaged seals reduce resale value and may turn a bar into a refinery job. Brands that matter (recognition & anti-counterfeit) PAMP (Switzerland): globally recognised; VeriScan QR anti-counterfeit on bar cards. Perth Mint: world-class coins (Kangaroo, Lunar); strong local & international acceptance. ABC Bullion: broad Australian presence; useful sizes (e.g., 250 g, ½ kg where others don’t). Premiums can vary over time by refiner and market stress; recognition and security features can justify higher spreads for some buyers. Sizing strategy: think ahead to resale Avoid “cutting” big bars. A 1 kg gold bar must be sold as a 1 kg bar. If you may sell in tranches, consider multiple smaller bars (e.g., 10 × 100 g ) despite slightly higher initial premiums — the liquidity/flexibility often repays the difference. Most dealers offer price breaks on multiples for smaller sizes. Pricing in AUD: it’s not just the metal price Your AUD outcome reflects (i) metal in USD and (ii) AUD/USD FX. Gold can rise in USD while AUD strengthens, muting gains — or vice versa. Always frame performance and targets in AUD if that’s your base currency/spend. Fulfilment reality: queues and lead times In periods of manias (COVID, “silver squeeze”, and today’s demand spike), refiners operate 24/7 yet backlogs still form. Your price is locked at order time; the wait relates to manufacture/availability, not price. Manage expectations; don’t buy just because there’s a queue — buy because the thesis fits your portfolio. Silver & platinum: the “catch-up” metals? Silver: dual role (store of value + industrial demand in solar/electronics). Historically shows late-cycle torque vs gold, but can be more volatile and bulkier to store. Platinum: meaningful geopolitical supply concentration (South Africa/Russia), industrial uses (auto, electronics). Historically traded above gold at times; today’s discount invites “relative value” debates. Perth Mint offers platinum coins; PAMP/ABC also produce platinum bars. Collectibles & themed issues Modern themed issues (Disney/Marvel/animals/Lunar) can carry higher premiums and are bought partly for design/collection appeal. If your goal is metal exposure, prioritise bullion-priced pieces; if you value artistry/limited mintages, a small sleeve of collectibles can scratch the itch. First-time buyer checklist Define the goal (hedge, diversification, or collection). Choose format (cast for value, minted for presentation, coins for recognition). Pick sizes aligned to future liquidity needs. Understand costs: premium…
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