As I mentioned in my article on platinum last weekend, one major drawback to owning the physical metal as an investment can be liquidity.
Buying platinum bullion is easy. But selling large, investment-sized holdings can be a hassle. So I don’t recommend owning a lot of physical platinum as an investment.
Nevertheless, selling a few ounces of platinum is not going to be too troublesome. And there might be a circumstance where you’ll most benefit from a fast, cash transaction. So I do think you should at least some physical platinum.
Among the most affordable (and liquid) platinum bullion coins on the market right now is the one ounce Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf.
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First minted in 1988, the Platinum Maple Leaf is the official platinum bullion coin of Canada and is considered one of only two standards as far as platinum bullion coin investment vehicles – the other one is the American Platinum Eagle.
The main advantage of the Platinum Maple Leaf over the American Platinum Eagle is the coin’s premium: the additional value attached to a bullion coin over CME spot prices.
Canadian Platinum Maple Leafs command a much lower premium in the retail market than Platinum Eagles. And that’s generally because American Platinum Eagles also carry a significant numismatic value, due to lower production and limited quantities. Platinum Maple Leafs are sought after by a few collectors, but the value of these coins is largely based on the metal content.
Being one of the standard platinum bullion coin investment vehicles with a relatively low premium over CME spot prices, the Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf is the best option for investors seeking to leverage rising prices through direct exposure to the physical metal.
Right now, the best place I can find to buy one ounce Canadian Platinum Maple Leafs is through eBay seller Bay Precious Metals: Here
Bay Precious Metals is a subsidiary of Coins ‘N Things of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, which is the largest wholesale vendor of gold in the United States. So the company is not a fly-by-night operation. But they only sell to retail customers through eBay.
I have personally bought bullion from Bay Precious Metals through eBay a few times very recently. And I’ve had no problems with any of my transactions – other than I thought shipping could have been faster.
Bay Precious Metals also seems to have the lowest price on Australian Platinum Platypuses, which are slightly less expensive than, but not as well-known as, Canadian Maple Leafs. And despite the slight discount, I think the Platinum Maple Leafs are the better option for investors. But I thought that I’d point them out as an even more affordable platinum bullion option.
If you don’t have an eBay account, other major online bullion dealers like APMEX and JM Bullion have similar prices on the Canadian Platinum Maple Leafs.
I also found a handful of smaller dealers, like Golden Eagle Coin and Money Metals Exchange, which have Canadian Platinum Maple Leafs priced a bit lower than APMEX and JM Bullion. However, I’ve never ordered anything from these dealers, so I can’t speak to their service or their shipping, handling, and insurance charges, if any.
Maybe it’s also a good time to note that I have no affiliation with any of the bullion dealers I’m mentioning to you here. I’m a customer of APMEX, JM Bullion, and Bay Precious Metals, but I have no kick-back deals with any of them. I’m just a customer just like you.
If dropping over $1,000 on a physical platinum investment is too much for you, Bay Precious Metals also has a pretty good deal on a 1/10 ounce platinum coin.
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The Manx Noble is a platinum bullion coin minted by the Pobjoy Mint. These coins are legal tender in the Isle of Man, but they do not have a fixed face value. Instead, like the South African Gold Krugerrand, they are legal tender to the value of platinum content.
Generally, fractional bullion coins (1/20oz, 1/10oz, 1/4oz, & 1/2oz) command a much higher premium than their full, one troy ounce counterparts. And generally speaking, the smaller the weight, the higher the premium over CME spot prices fractional bullion coins will command in the retail market.
But even though the premium on these Manx Nobles is higher than what you’d pay if you were purchasing a full, one troy ounce platinum bullion coin, Bay Precious Metals currently has them priced quite low relative to other fractional platinum bullion coins.
I just purchased one of these myself this afternoon, and may be back to purchase more once I see the first coin. When I receive the coin, I’ll post photos and a brief blog about it here.
Until then,
Luke Burgess
Energy and Capital
