Fees and service details reviewed 17 September 2026. Sources: DigiGold fees; DigiGold terms; physical buy-back service.
An honest, detailed look at The Royal Mint's gold investment products — Royal Mint Digital Gold (DigiGold), Britannias, Sovereigns, and gold bars. We cover pricing, fees, storage, online access, tax advantages, and who this platform is best for.
Capital at risk. Not financial advice or a personal recommendation.
The Royal Mint is the best choice for beginners who want a trusted, straightforward way to start investing in gold. With DigiGold from just £25 and CGT-free Britannia coins, it offers a genuinely accessible entry point. You can manage DigiGold through a mobile-friendly online account.
Compare the full cost for your intended holding. DigiGold charges 0.5% to buy and 1% to sell, plus 0.5% + VAT annually for storage. BullionVault has a lower headline custody rate but a $4 monthly minimum, which can make smaller holdings more expensive to store.
Best For
Beginners & first-time buyers
Minimum Investment
£25 (DigiGold)
Our Rating
4.5 / 5
Demand for physical precious metals has surged. Across CY2025, The Royal Mint reports precious-metals spend up 150%, gold specifically up 142%, and sales of CGT-exempt coins (Britannias and Sovereigns) up 155% — with 62% of buyers purchasing for the first time. That heavy first-time-buyer skew is exactly why we rate the Mint the best starting point for beginners.
+150%
Precious-metals spend (CY2025)
+142%
Gold spend (CY2025)
+155%
CGT-exempt coin sales (CY2025)
62%
First-time buyers (CY2025)
The momentum carried into 2026. Over January–March 2026, gold sales rose 94% and silver sales jumped 1,000% year on year. DigiGold has become the default entry point too: 54% of transactions in the quarter were DigiGold (a figure reported by The Royal Mint).
Source: The Royal Mint press release and CY2025 / Q1 2026 sales figures, as reported by FXStreet. The 54% DigiGold share is Royal Mint-reported (single-source).
From £25
minimum purchase
Both Britannias and Sovereigns are UK legal tender, making any profits exempt from Capital Gains Tax. This is a genuine and significant advantage over gold bars, gold ETFs held outside an ISA, and DigiGold. See our tax-free gold UK guide for full details.
All pricing is indicative and based on publicly available information as of January 2026. Premiums fluctuate with demand.
| Fee / Cost | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DigiGold buy / sell fees | 0.5% buy / 1% sell | Published DigiGold transaction charges |
| DigiGold storage | 0.5% + VAT per year | Charged quarterly in arrears on holding value |
| Britannia premium (1oz) | Live product price | Lower for larger sizes; can increase during high demand |
| Sovereign premium | Live product price | Historical Sovereigns may carry higher premiums |
| Gold bar premium (1oz) | Live product price | Decreases with bar size; 1kg bars have lowest premium |
| Delivery (physical) | Confirm at checkout | Royal Mail Special Delivery; insured |
| Buy-back | Quote depends on metal and storage location | Accepts eligible bullion from The Royal Mint and other producers |
| Account fees | None | No setup, annual account, or inactivity fees |
Current gold price: £100.96 per gram (£3,140.21 per troy ounce). At this price, an illustrative 1oz coin with a 5% premium would cost £3,297.22 ; this is a calculation example, not a Royal Mint quote. Use our gold calculator for live calculations.
The Royal Mint describes its online account as mobile-friendly. Customers can manage holdings, buy and sell DigiGold and set up recurring investments through its website. We have not verified a dedicated iOS or Android investment app.
Straightforward account creation with standard identity verification. DigiGold purchases are instant. Physical coin and bar orders are confirmed quickly, though delivery can take 3-10 working days depending on demand. Payment by debit card or bank transfer. No hidden steps or confusing jargon.
DigiGold can be sold through the online account, with a 1% selling fee. Physical bullion uses a separate buy-back service: request a quote and follow the instructions for sending eligible items. Rates differ for bullion held in The Vault and bullion held elsewhere.
Learn more in our tax-free gold UK guide.
DigiGold is not CGT-free. Profits on DigiGold holdings are subject to Capital Gains Tax in the same way as gold bars or gold ETFs held outside an ISA. If you are looking for tax efficiency, consider buying Britannias or Sovereigns instead, or explore holding gold ETFs in an ISA.
| Feature | Royal Mint | BullionVault | BullionByPost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | £25 | 1 gram of gold | Product dependent |
| Buy premium | DigiGold: 0.5% buy | 0.5% | Live product price |
| Annual storage | 0.5% + VAT | 0.12%; minimum $4/month | Allocated storage available; fees apply |
| CGT-free options | Yes | No | Yes |
| Mobile access | Mobile-friendly website | Functional | Mobile site only |
| Best for | Beginners, trust | Lowest costs | Physical variety |
See our full platform comparison for detailed reviews of all major UK gold investment platforms.
The Royal Mint offers DigiGold from £25, physical bullion coins and bars, and vault storage. Compare the fees and product terms with the service you need. DigiGold transaction fees differ from physical coin premiums, so neither should be used as a universal price comparison.
DigiGold provides fractional ownership of gold held at The Royal Mint, starting from £25. You buy and sell through your online account. The published fees are 0.5% to buy, 1% to sell and 0.5% plus VAT a year for storage. DigiGold cannot be delivered.
Yes. Gold Britannia coins are UK legal tender and are therefore exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT). This applies to all gold Britannias regardless of the year of issue. Gold Sovereigns are also CGT-free. This is a significant tax advantage compared to gold bars or gold ETFs held outside an ISA. See our tax-free gold guide for more details.
DigiGold charges 0.5% to buy and 1% to sell, plus annual storage of 0.5% plus VAT without a monthly minimum. Physical coin and bar prices vary by product and quantity. Compare current quotes separately from digital gold fees; BullionVault has a $4 monthly gold custody minimum.
DigiGold cannot be delivered or converted into coins or bars for delivery. You can sell your holding back to The Royal Mint and place a separate order for physical bullion, subject to the applicable prices and fees.
BullionVault charges 0.5% commission and 0.12%/yr gold storage (minimum $4/month) vs 0.5% + VAT at The Royal Mint. Same allocated gold, professional vaults in London or Zurich.
Affiliate partner — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Gold prices can fall as well as rise.
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Taro has been actively investing in precious metals and financial markets for over 15 years. Frustrated by the lack of transparent, accurate gold pricing information in the UK, he built London Gold Exchange as a data-driven resource for fellow investors. The site combines real-time market data, verified dealer information from 242+ UK businesses, and insights drawn from years of hands-on experience in the gold market.
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