Costco gold: Everything to know about buying the metal at the retail chain

Americans are increasingly turning to gold for stability as economic uncertainty continues. Last year, interest in gold catapulted to new heights, primarily due to a weak economy and heavy central bank purchases around the globe. Consequently, the spot price of gold surpassed even the most optimistic experts' opinions, hitting new peaks in 2024 and continuing into 2025.
Amid disappointing economic reports,
stocks plummeted last week
, and both the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 1.7%, marking their worst one-day decline of the year. Meanwhile,
the price of gold
is up over $250 per ounce since the start of the year (as of February 27, 2025).
While the economy certainly figures heavily, gold's upward trend also reflects rising interest in this precious metal. If you're exploring
purchasing gold online or in person
, it may be an opportune time before prices rise again. You can even purchase gold at
Costco
and other big retailers — but should you?
Find out how to add gold to your portfolio today
.
Here's what you need to know to help guide your decision.
Costco offers members an opportunity to purchase one-ounce gold bars in the store, online or via their app. The retailer offers gold bullion bars,
1-ounce bars
and coins in different designs. As of February 2025, Costco offers the following gold products:
Costco's selection comes from authorized dealers and reputable mints. However, as Costco members are accustomed to, offerings and availability may change.
Explore your gold investing options online now
.
Costco marks up its cost for gold by roughly 2%. Markup is common practice among gold dealers and retailers, and 2% is on the low end of industry standards.
For example, the spot price of gold is about $2,850 per ounce currently (as of February 27, 2025). At the same time, a 1-ounce, 24-karat gold bar at Costco runs slightly higher at just over $2,900. The
Costco member price
for a one-ounce gold American Buffalo Coin is marginally higher at about $3,030 and is limited to one transaction per membership with a five-unit daily maximum. The company also offers a larger 100-gram, 24-karat gold bar from Rand Refinery for about $9,450 with a maximum purchase limit of two units per day.
When you think of purchasing gold, Costco may not be the first place that comes to mind. However, the retailer is a convenient option that delivers some distinct benefits, such as:
While Costco's gold offerings provide several worthwhile benefits, it's not without its downsides. It's wise to consider these potential concerns before purchasing gold from Costco.
In addition to gold bars and coins, Costco offers a limited selection of precious metals online, including
silver
and
platinum
. You can buy the 2024 one-ounce PAMP American Buffalo silver round in sets of 20. Customer satisfaction is high, with 788 reviews giving the coins an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
If you're looking to diversify your portfolio with platinum, Costco offers members a one-ounce PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna Veriscan platinum bar. This is 99.95% pure platinum and certified for authenticity.
If you're considering purchasing gold, Costco may provide a convenient option to buy gold bars and coins. Bear in mind, though, that gold prices fluctuate and the metal's recent historic run doesn't guarantee future results will be the same. But with commodities analysts adjusting their gold price projections for 2025 upward, this may be a good time to purchase the yellow metal before its price rises further.

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