Wealth Weekly #5

Coins & Legal Tender — The Untaxed Wealth Hack Hiding in Your Pocket

🔑 Hook

Most people see coins as loose change. The wealthy see them as a tax loophole. In the UK, certain coins are legal tender — meaning they’re exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT). If you know which coins to buy, you can grow wealth in a way most people never even consider.

📖 What is “Legal Tender” in Coins?

Legal tender coins (like Gold Sovereigns and Gold Britannias) are officially recognised by the UK government. Because of this status, any profit you make when selling them is tax-free.

That makes them one of the simplest stealth wealth strategies available: you hold them, they rise in value as gold/silver rises, and you keep every penny. No CGT, no paperwork, no hidden catches.

⚖️ Benefits & Risks

✅ Benefits

• Tax-free: CGT exemption means 100% of your gains are yours.

• Portable: You can store thousands in your pocket, no bank required.

• Respected worldwide: UK Sovereigns and Britannias are recognised everywhere.

• Inflation hedge: Gold and silver often rise when money loses value.

⚠️ Risks

• Premiums: You usually pay slightly above gold’s “spot” price.

• Market swings: If gold drops, coin value drops too.

• Liquidity: Easy to sell to dealers, but avoid random buyers.

• Scams: Beware glossy “commemorative coins” with no resale demand. Stick to Sovereigns/Britannias.

📍 Examples & Buying Options

New Coins (Bullion Grade)

• Royal Mint (royalmint.com): Official source, CGT-free Sovereigns & Britannias.

• Atkinsons Bullion (atkinsonsbullion.com): Trusted dealer with good pricing.

• Chards (chards.co.uk): 50+ years of coin expertise, often has cheaper pre-owned stock.

Used Coins (Pre-Owned)

• Pre-owned Sovereigns and Britannias are usually cheaper to buy (lower premiums).

• Still CGT-free if they’re legal tender.

• Collectors’ coins (rare or historic) can be worth more, but liquidity is slower.

🛠️ Action Steps

1. Learn the difference between bullion coins (investment) and commemoratives (collectibles).

2. If investing, stick to Sovereigns and Britannias — liquid, trusted, CGT-free.

3. Compare premiums before buying. Sometimes used coins are better value than new.

4. Only buy from trusted dealers (Royal Mint, Atkinsons, Chards).

5. Store safely — either at home in a secure safe, or via dealer storage.

6. Treat coins as a long-term wealth hedge — not a get-rich-quick.

🔮 Prediction

Within 5 years, UK investors will double their purchases of CGT-free coins as inflation erodes trust in savings accounts.

🚀 Bold Prediction

A future UK financial crackdown (on crypto/overseas accounts) will push everyday investors into gold coins as their last untaxed safe haven.

✨ Final Thought

Sometimes the best wealth strategies are hiding in plain sight. The coins people dismiss as “just collectibles” could quietly protect your money from both inflation and tax. The rules already exist — most people just don’t know them. Now you do.