Storing Your Physical Gold and Silver

Storing bullion at home

• Home safe

A high-quality safe is one of the most popular ways to store physical gold and silver bullion at home. Ideally, a floor-mounted or wall-anchored safe can offer better protection than a portable one. Finding a discreet placement for your safe is key, and it may also be worth considering hidden compartments, floor safes, or units built into furniture.

Another important consideration when storing your gold and silver at home is insurance, as some home insurers may require an additional premium to cover bullion stored at the property.

• Creative hiding places

If a home safe is not feasible, some people opt for more ‘low-tech’ hiding spots for their gold and silver. These can include the attic, below floorboards, inside furniture, or behind appliances. It is a good idea to use locations that may not be obvious targets in a typical burglary – however, these locations must be within a dry and stable environment to avoid corrosion or moisture damage over time.

• Burying bullion

Some long-term holders of bullion choose to bury their gold and silver items in waterproof, airtight containers in the ground on private property. This can offer excellent protection from theft and fire, and may suit those who do not need frequent access to their precious metals. However, it is essential to choose a discreet but memorable location and to keep a clear record.

Storing bullion away from home

• Allocated storage facilities

For a higher level of security and convenience, many bullion owners choose to store their gold and silver through allocated storage. With this method, your precious metals are stored separately under your name and are clearly identified as your property.

At Atkinsons, we offer Vaultor allocated storage – a secure, low-cost solution for safeguarding your precious metals. Stored in high-security UK vaults managed by Brink’s, a global leader in secure storage, your bullion remains protected and fully insured at all times. Vaultor also allows you to monitor your holdings online, track your metals, and view your real-time valuations 24/7 through your personal account. When the time comes, you can even sell your bullion back to Atkinsons directly from storage, offering a convenient and secure end-to-end solution.

Allocated storage such as Vaultor is ideal for those who want professional-grade protection, full ownership transparency, and the flexibility to manage their bullion holdings with confidence.

• Safety deposit boxes

Banks and private vault facilities sometimes offer safety deposit boxes, which can provide a secure option for storing your gold and silver outside of the home. These allow for easy access during business hours as well as peace of mind against home risks such as fire and theft. However, some banks may have rules about declared contents, and access is often limited to their opening hours and operating schedule.

Use appropriate coin storage supplies

Even in the most secure environment, proper handling and organisation of your bullion is key – especially for silver coins. To help prevent damage or tarnishing, it is important to store your coins correctly.

• Coin capsules: These clear, rigid plastic cases offer protection and are ideal for helping to keep individual coins safe from scratches, moisture, and contaminants.
• Coin tubes: Designed to hold multiple coins of the same size, tubes are practical for bulk storage and offer protection while saving space.
• Monster boxes: These are durable plastic boxes designed by mints to hold larger quantities of full tubes of coins. Monster boxes are secure, stackable, and ideal for storing significant quantities of coins.

Using capsules, tubes, or monster boxes can help to protect the condition of your bullion and also help with organisation when storing at home. At Atkinsons, we place single coins in soft-plastic coin flips for short-term transportation purposes – however, these are not intended for long-term storage. Coin capsules, coin tubes, monster boxes, and other accessories in which to help safely protect and store your coins are always available to purchase on our website.

3 key tips for storing gold and silver

• Be as discreet as possible. Keep the number of people who know about your bullion holdings to a minimum.
• Tell one trusted person. In case of emergency, it is wise to share storage details with someone your trust implicitly.
• Consider multiple methods. You do not have to reply on just one solution – many choose to diversify their storage strategy across a variety of locations.

There is no universal ‘best method’ for storing physical gold and silver – it can depend on your personal priorities: security, accessibility, privacy, and cost. Whether you choose to store your metals at home, with a professional vaulting service, or in a bank, it is always important to ensure your chosen method matches your long-term goals.

Please note- This information is provided as a general guide only. Atkinsons advises investors to fully insure their gold and silver bullion, and if in any doubt, to seek professional advice on keeping your bullion investment safe and secure.