How and Where to Buy Investment Coins in Russia: A Detailed Breakdown - AUCBURG | AUCBURG
How and Where to Buy Investment Coins in Russia: A Detailed Breakdown
Investing in precious metals often begins with purchasing popular coins, such as the silver 'George the Victorious.' This is one of the most well-known investment coins in Russia, possessing standard characteristics for its class.
Characteristics of the 'George the Victorious' Silver Coin
Parameter
Value
Metal
Silver .999 fineness
Weight of pure metal
1 troy ounce (31.1 grams)
Face value
3 rubles
Investing in precious metals often begins with purchasing popular coins, such as the silver 'George the Victorious.' This is one of the most well-known investment coins in Russia, possessing standard characteristics for its class.
The key parameters of this coin make it recognizable and understandable for investors. It is a convenient tool for investing in physical silver.
Where to Buy? A Comparison of Options: Online Platforms and Banks
There are several ways to purchase investment coins, and each has its own features. One of the most accessible options is online platforms, such as Avito. Prices there can vary widely, from 1,500 to 2,000–3,000 rubles for a silver 'George the Victorious'.
However, this method comes with risks. The main challenges are the need to trust unknown sellers, potential delivery issues, and, most importantly, verifying the coin's authenticity. This is especially true for buyers from the regions, who have to send money in advance.
An alternative is to buy through a bank. For example, Transstroybank offers such coins at a price close to the metal's value. As of May 2019, the price was around 1,300 rubles, making this option attractive in terms of reliability.
Where to Buy? A Comparison of Options: Online Platforms and Banks
The Purchase Procedure Through Transstroybank
Buying coins through a bank is a structured and secure process. Transstroybank has branches in Moscow, Kazan, and other cities, which can be found on their official website. If there is a branch in your city, you can purchase the coins in person.
For a remote purchase, you need to select the coins from the website's catalog and place an order. It's important to consider a nuance related to payment: the price listed on the website is valid for cash payments. When paying by card (non-cash payment), a 2.5% surcharge is applied.
Thus, a coin priced at 1,300 rubles will cost 1,332 rubles with a non-cash payment. This point should be considered when planning your purchase budget.
The Purchase Procedure Through Transstroybank
Delivery and Calculation of the Final Cost
When buying coins from a bank with delivery to another city, transportation costs are added. Delivery is handled by the 'Spetsvyaz' service, which guarantees the safety of the cargo—it is delivered by armed couriers. The cost of this service is 1,500 rubles.
To reduce the impact of the delivery cost on the price per coin, it is advisable to order several pieces at once. For example, when purchasing 13 silver coins, the final cost per unit, including all expenses, was 1,380 rubles (based on May-June 2019 prices).
The purchase comes with a full set of documents, including an invoice, which confirms the legality of the transaction and ownership of the acquired assets.
Delivery and Calculation of the Final Cost
Experience Buying a Gold Coin
In addition to silver, you can also purchase gold investment coins. For example, the 2018 gold 'George the Victorious' has a special feature—it is the first year the eagle on the obverse is depicted with its head raised.
The cost of such a coin with delivery was about 24,000 rubles. On the secondary market, such as Avito, prices for similar coins range from 23,000 to 24,000 rubles. An important advantage of 'George the Victorious' is its high liquidity in Russia—the coin can always be sold back to a bank.
Although the bank will buy the coin back at a discount, the very possibility of a quick sale makes it a reliable investment tool.
Experience Buying a Gold Coin
Conclusions for the Novice Investor
For those just starting to invest in physical precious metals, buying Russian coins through an official bank is the optimal and safest option. This helps avoid the risks associated with transactions on the secondary market.
Investment coins like 'George the Victorious' do not have a significant numismatic component; their value is directly tied to the market price of the metal. This makes them a straightforward and liquid asset.
To reduce costs, it is recommended to team up with friends or colleagues for a joint order to split the delivery cost over a larger number of coins, thereby lowering the final price per piece.