SimonD

I would definitely recommend a paid membership as you can see listing as soon as they are put up, otherwise you  have to wait 3days to see them and obviously the best deals don’t hang about.
Personally I’ve never had an issue with anyone on the forum and I’ve had countless on eBay (feeBay) which is why I’ve basically abandoned it all together.
When it comes to spending large amounts on here for your own peace of mind only trade with high feedback members which have 100s to 1000s (which I don’t….yet). Opt for SD delivery which takes the risk out of the postage.
maybe start with some smaller purchases here and get your footing 😊 it’s a great place with likeminded people 👍
Goodluck whatever you decide mate all the best!

There's really just one coin in each tube,on top of bog roll  😂

Personally, I’d love to post a full stack picture, but after a tragic boating accident it’s all resting in Davey Jones’s locker…😏
(thought I’d better add a picture, as it’s a picture thread… Artists Impression - credit:  deskridge from DeviantArt)

Could I have the 4 set of $1 notes please.
 
 

One of my mentors once said to me when I was worrying If I was about to over pay for the house I'm in. He said " I don't know why your worried. It may look a bit expensive in the moment but once a year or two have gone by. and you look back. The house will look cheap." I think is the same with gold. I remember my grandmother buying a sovereign for about £36 when I was young. the conversation in the car on the way home between my mother and her was along the lines of my mother telling her she shouldn't have wasted her money. I know the time scale is large but £36 from the 80's in gold or cash. Which would you choose.  

Something to ponder... if you feel that £1650/oz is too high, and you're sitting with £20k in the bank, how would you feel if you woke up one morning and overnight you'd been part of a bank bail-in and now you have £15k in the bank and a 100 shares in a worthless bank?

As @Tn21 says, average purchases over time even out the blips and dips and at least you have something to show for it. 

I put the below together for my missus' friends who had inherited some FIAT and were concerned about it sitting in the bank (This was in September/October last year). I know that there are several people on here that echo the same thoughts, keep enough FIAT in the bank to pay several months bills and then choose wisely what to do with the rest. Keep adding to your stack is one option, but even asking opinions, is simply that. What serves one, won't serve another. The banking industry is the wild west and we need to remember that. They play fast and loose with our deposits (that aren't ours once deposited, they are unsecured loans to the bank), so the current turmoil should serve as a warning and a reminder to not keep all your eggs in a FIAT basket.

Just my two pence worth
 
UK Bank regulations:
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/paper/2021/executing-bail-in-an-operational-guide-from-the-boe
- Check out the PDF on this page "Executing bail-in: An operational guide from the Bank of England"
- This details basically how they banks can enact this scenario. However there is no mention of a limit or amount at which the bail-ins get taken. Eg: £85000 and above
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/freedom-of-information/2021/questions-about-bail-in-and-customer-deposits
- Whilst they state that protected deposits are protected (FSCS Protection £85,000 per account per banking license**) and you wouldn't lose any money, you might not be able to access it for a period whilst the bank stabilises itself. As you could imagine, if a bank did perform a bail in, a lot of customers would want to move banks. This could trigger a further requirement for funds.
- I wouldn't take the above to mean that upto £85,000 or £170,000 on the joint bank accounts would be safe, we know how the Central Bank and Government like to change the rules to suit
** - FSCS determines that an individual can have upto £85,000 or £170,000 jointly protected by a banking license.
- https://www.fscs.org.uk/making-a-claim/customer-info/banking-licences/
- As of March 2020 (PDF below ~52 banking licences that cover over 350 Managed Financial Institutions)
- https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/prudential-regulation/authorisations/which-firms-does-the-pra-regulate/2020/fscs-banking-brands-march-2020.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/bail-in-powers-implementation-including-draft-secondary-legislation/bail-in-powers-implementation
- The Bank of England links above are backed up by the UK Gov website
- This does however state the following:
The BRRD also includes provisions regarding the ranking of deposits in the insolvency hierarchy in what is currently Article 98A (subject to renumbering). It requires Member States to ensure that:
“eligible deposits – that is, deposits of any amount that qualify for protection under the Deposit Guarantee Scheme (in the UK, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme)
– from natural persons and SMEs, have a higher priority ranking in insolvency than the claims of ordinary unsecured creditors
covered deposits – that is, deposits that qualify for protection under the Deposit Guarantee Scheme, up to the coverage limit (in the UK, £85,000) shall have a higher priority ranking in insolvency than the part of eligible deposits from natural persons and SMEs that exceed the coverage limit”
As outlined above, the government is seeking views in the consultation on the transposition of certain aspects of the BRRD. The government will consult on transposition of the remainder of the BRRD in due course.
As for stacking physical PMs, the best company in the UK to buy from is Chards.
https://www.chards.co.uk/
The majority of the PMs that we have purchased come from them. This is for larger bulk purchases.
https://tavexbullion.co.uk/
Tavex is a European PM dealer that has recently opened in the UK. We’ve made several purchases and their customer service is the best I’ve found. Their smaller volumes of coins are the cheapest in the UK.
European PM Dealers:
https://goldsilver.be/en/ (Recommended from a TheSilverForum.com member)
https://www.coininvest.com/en/ 
https://europabullion.com/ 
Stacking physical PMs won't make you wealthy or rich, it is however more over a hedge against inflation and better/safer than having all your net worth in a bank account that attracts no interest and bank sharks.
If you are wanting to stack Silver/Gold I would recommend starting with Britannia's/Sovereign's (Gold only) as they are exempt from CGT. Bars typically attract CGT on either PM, as do coins and bars minted outside of the UK.
Whilst both are legal tender (have an ascribed face value), silver is subject to VAT for whatever reason (I have a theory and happy to divulge if interested).
So with Silver, you'll effectively be in negative equity in the short term. But if you plan on holding for a longer period than you will more than make up that initial additional expenditure as base currencies are devalued by ever more QE and debt currency creation.
Gold Britannia's are VAT and CGT exempt, but obviously cost more.
For both, the more you buy the smaller the premiums, this is the dealer/seller markup based on market dynamics of supply and demand to a certain extent.
I would also suggest some smaller denominations less than 1oz. If we do find ourselves in a nightmare scenario (otherwise known as an SHTF) or an internet blackout (pray we don't) having smaller 1g/10g/0.5oz denomination silver might be useful for payment/barter as well having some cash on hand.
This should cover most of the bases should you need to buy goods, pay bills.
The below is a list of links from a friend of mine @HerefordBullyun. Thought I would share this list of the best financial related documentaries I’ve watched. I am listing them in my favourite order. If I can provide links I will.
1. The four horsemen (link to watch)
Great documentary and sums up (link in name) i actually believe that children should be taught this in their late teen's. Gives an overview how the world is today and correlation with war, economy, business and how the 1% work. If you’ve never watched this - you should and make your family watch it. But points to why you strongly why you should hold PM's.

2. The Century of Self  (link to watch) - Adam Curtis
Shows how the theory of how Freuds nephew applied psychological techniques to sell to the masses, and these techniques still work till this day. Intriguing and well researched. How Freuds nephew become a very rich man. Curtis Is great documentary writer.  Hypernormilisation and Bitter Lake are well worth a watch. The latter explains about how the birth of the mess in the middle east foreign policy and the mess we are in now.
3.  Inside Job - Rotten tomatoes review -98% but you can get on various platforms
An in-depth analysis of 2008 financial crash. The global financial meltdown, at a cost of over $20 trillion, resulted in millions of people losing their homes and jobs. Through extensive research and interviews with major financial insiders, politicians and journalists
4. The Big Short - on Netflix and Prime
How Deutchse bank got shafted by Goldmans in a nutshell.
5.  Overdose - the next financial crisis(link to watch)
Explains about how the bankers can continue to kick the can down the road by increasing debt.
6. Money for nothing - inside the federal reserve  Imdb review but you can get it various platforms
Shows all members of the fed in all their glory - NOT  Especially Alan Greenwankspangle
7. 97% owned(link to watch)
Really good UK docu. 97% Owned is a new documentary that reveals how the creation of credit and the mystery that surrounds it, is at the root of our current social and economic crisis. Referring to the 97% of the world’s money supply that is represented by credit this thought provoking film presents serious research and verifiable evidence on our economic and financial system and is the first documentary to tackle this issue from a UK-perspective.
Hopefully that is not an overwhelming amount of information for you in one go. I am more than happy to have a chat about this further.

 

Consider:
In 2002, I thought shield sovereigns were expensive at £120 per coin.
In 2006, I thought regular sovereigns were expensive at £120 per coin.
In 2012, I thought sovereigns were expensive at £250 per coin.
In 2016, I thought sovereigns were expensive at £295 per coin.
In 2023, I think sovereigns are expensive at £400 per coin.
 
There's a pattern I think. I wish I'd bought a gold £5 when they were £650 each.

Solid strategy 💪🏻

I have been collecting/stacking for about 2 years in a small way(small budget) and have bought a small amount of gold, all fractional. My largest is a 1/4 ounce Britannia. Would it be better to save for MANY months to buy larger pieces or buy smaller fractional pieces?
What are the thoughts on this by members here? 

I have been a very small stacker/collector for a couple of years as I do not have a lot of spare cash for buying precious metals (if I had the money I would be stacked high!) but I do not really look at the cost at the time of purchase. I am buying for at least a 20 year investment and if I don’t need to sell will leave it to my kids.
Financial/bank issues do matter but I only buy what I can afford.

I have been a very small stacker/collector for a couple of years as I do not have a lot of spare cash for buying precious metals (if I had the money I would be stacked high!) but I do not really look at the cost at the time of purchase. I am buying for at least a 20 year investment and if I don’t need to sell will leave it to my kids.
Financial/bank issues do matter but I only buy what I can afford.

I have been a very small stacker/collector for a couple of years as I do not have a lot of spare cash for buying precious metals (if I had the money I would be stacked high!) but I do not really look at the cost at the time of purchase. I am buying for at least a 20 year investment and if I don’t need to sell will leave it to my kids.
Financial/bank issues do matter but I only buy what I can afford.

Hi, 
As you have previously purchased from yours truly I would like to offer my opinion. The price action between £1600 &£1640 is miniscule and I don't think should be the basis of your decision whether or not to purchase. 
If you don't mind me saying -
If I remember correctly when you purchased the items of me, spot dipped and quite significantly too.  
Right now the items are under spot. 
No one can time purchases, because there are quite a few variables in play such as spot price, exchange rate USD-GBP and premiums on coins, politics etc.
 
Depending on how much you want to buy I would suggest you average your purchases out during a period of time. 
Gold only popped off recently due to the SVB / banking issues. If this event did not occur there was a slight amount of negative sentiment towards the metals and I don't think prices would be anywhere near where they are now. 
In the grand scheme of things £100 here or there does not really make that much a difference. 
I simply take pleasure in the fact that I have a tangible asset which is away from the 'banking system'. 
Buy as and when you see fit 😉

Agree with pretty much all the above, before discovering the forum I looked more at oz's and such, then on the advice here I started on sov's with the odd double and proof mostly to keep up interest, I have not been interested in halves and quarters due to the premium paid but since the recent rise in gold price I am now looking at certainly halves not so much from affordability, my stacking is not with a view to selling but passing my hard earned cash to the next generation but looking to the future that if (when!) the price climbs again the fractionals would be easier and better to sell for a bit of cash if needed.

One more pic since I'm on a roll.  I went through a phase of really liking the 10oz Scottsdale stackers. Was sort of like playing with a bunch of oversized lego bricks. Anyway, for people that want to see a bit more weight, here you go.

Here's another pic of more recent stuff. Found this guy on facebook. He uses delft clay to make molds for his pours. Details on every piece he does is extraordinary. Pieces go from about 1oz to a hair over 10oz for the "freedom bomb" up top

Very true. I've been looking at 1/10th Brits. Quite cheap compared to most of what else is on offer and a lovely coin and as you say, if you keep at it, it can mount up over time.

Yes it sure takes some cash make a stack and I'm not well off but no matter how small a stack you have you are better off than a person with no  stack at all eh, and looking at the banking news right now even a small stack looks like it may grow in to a larger stack rather quickly!

Thank you. Although the way things are going it's more like waiting for the occasional tap drip rather than a rowing in fast flowing water  

Totally agree, a sound strategy, best wishes with you journey down the river of gold

Sovs are great and everyone rightly espouses ease of sale however I will say that there is a sense of weight and solidity to having a 1oz 9999 gold coin in hand. They are very expensive but they are very nice, also buying here you may get them damn near at spot if you don't want anything too specialised so can pound for pound actually be cheaper.

Thank you all for your input.
I have bought a couple of 2022 half sovs and also a 1/4 proof memorial sov (god save the queen!) but was not sure if fractional is the way to go...... I think I will be trying to get a full sov next.

I would say the opposite, especially if they're Kit Kats or chocalatey hob nobs. Speaking purely as a bat fastard!
 
 

As many have said. You can't go wrong with a hand full of sovereigns. Lots of variety to keep any one interested and a wonderful way to have a varied collection whilst maintaining a consistent theme. Then if you need to sell, they are one of the most liquid coins in Britain.

Small gold bars. Or Bairds lol. They're also nice for birthdays and Christmas gifts. Not for everyone lol. Most people get socks.
Also if they're kept in the outer packing, you're basically paying rental to store cardboard. Bit of a dilemma there. It's all checks and balances haha