So, you’ve begun to build up a gold hoard at 1OZ Gold Britannia. Coins that shine and bars that are heavy—maybe both. It feels amazing, doesn’t it? Now for the less fun part: protecting your treasure.
First, don’t give in to the impulse to hide gold all over the place like a cartoon squirrel with acorns. Under the mattress, in an old coffee can, or even behind the toilet tank—these are all appealing places to hide things, but they’re not very safe. Thieves that take advantage of opportunities know all the best places to hide.
A good home safe is a good addition. Choose something that has a high security rating, not merely a box with a weak key. Put it in place. Really. If a burglar is determined, an unbolted safe is just a portable gold lunchbox.
There is a reason why safety deposit boxes at your local bank have been around for so long. You don’t have to sleep with one eye open because of big, safe vaults and layers of ID. What are the bad things? On holidays, banks may close, and you may have to pay yearly fees. Peace of mind isn’t cheap, but neither are gold coins.
If your collection gets bigger than a shoebox, you can store it in a professional vault. Storage that is insured, watched, and kept at a comfortable temperature is available from some companies. Some even send you frequent reports on how much you own. It costs more, but for valuable stashes, it’s hard to beat.
Don’t forget to acquire insurance. Floods, fires, and burglaries are all examples of accidents. Most home insurance policies don’t cover valuable metals very well. If anything bad happens, specialized insurance could save you a lot of trouble.
If you have gold at home, use the rule that “two can keep a secret if one of them is gold.” Don’t tell everyone at the bar about your secret money. Your coins and bars will be safer if fewer people know about them.
Quick recap: Don’t use a spy novel’s hiding spots. If you keep your valuables at home, use a solid safe. For classic security, use banks. For growing treasure, use professional vaults. And constantly check your insurance. It’s not fun to guard gold, but it’s even less fun to lose it. If you play it smart, your hoard will be safe for years.