These days, a trip to Costco can involve more than bulk snacks and household goods — it can also include gold, silver, and platinum.
The warehouse retailer has been quietly expanding its precious metals offerings over the past two years, beginning with gold bars in 2023 and later adding silver coins and platinum bars.
With all three metals seeing substantial price gains in 2025, Costco’s timing has caught the attention of shoppers who are also investors.
Gold, silver, and platinum have long been valued as stores of wealth. Gold, often described as a “monetary metal,” tends to perform well when the U.S. dollar weakens, which is why central banks around the world hold it to hedge against inflation and currency instability.
Current global economic concerns — including the impact of tariffs on trade — have contributed to a favorable medium- to long-term outlook for gold.
Silver and platinum, while also used for investment purposes, have greater ties to industry. Silver is a key material in electronics, solar panels, and electric vehicles, while platinum is used in catalytic converters, specialty glass manufacturing, and other industrial processes. These industrial ties mean silver and platinum prices are more sensitive to the state of the economy, and as a result, they can be more volatile in the short term than gold.
Costco’s precious metals selection is straightforward: 24-karat 1-ounce gold bars, 20-packs of 1-ounce silver coins, and 1-ounce platinum bars with a purity of 999.5. Prices aren’t posted for the public — members have to log in to see them — but the company is reported to charge about 2% above the spot price for gold, which is relatively modest compared to the 1%–30% markups common in the industry. As of late 2024, silver coin packs were priced at $699.99, and platinum bars debuted at $1,089.99.
Purchasing requires an active Costco membership, and availability can be limited, with items selling out quickly. Orders must be placed online, and the company doesn’t sell precious metals in Louisiana, Nevada, or Puerto Rico. Purchase limits are also in place: one order per membership, capped at five units. At current prices, that means a maximum gold purchase of roughly $14,000, about $3,700 in silver, or $5,500 in platinum.
These caps may be too low for investors aiming to meet typical diversification guidelines. For example, some experts recommend holding 10% to 20% of a portfolio in gold as a hedge, while Ray Dalio’s well-known “All Weather Portfolio” includes a 7.5% gold allocation. Still, Costco’s pricing and accessibility may appeal to those looking for a modest, straightforward entry into precious metals ownership.
Owning physical metals comes with practical considerations. Unlike stocks, precious metals don’t require constant monitoring, but they do need secure storage. Most standard homeowners insurance policies offer limited coverage for them, and adding extra coverage can be costly. A safe deposit box at a bank or a secure, hidden safe at home are common solutions. Since these metals are generally best held over the long term, investors should be prepared to lock them away and avoid selling during temporary price dips.
For those comfortable with the purchase limits and prepared for secure storage, Costco’s gold, silver, and platinum can serve as a tangible, long-term store of value. The retailer’s reasonable markup and straightforward online ordering make it an unusually convenient source — even if buying precious metals alongside a rotisserie chicken is a modern twist few would have predicted.