Collector's Guide
Expert guidance for building and maintaining your gold note collection
The value of each gold note is based on two key things: first, the precise amount of pure, 24k gold it contains, which is tied to the real-time market price of gold. Second, a premium is added for the note's value as a unique and beautiful collectible, which includes its intricate artistic design and advanced security features.
In short
Prices include VAT and EU import duties. We source from the USA, so our EUR prices reflect the current EUR/USD rate—there’s no extra exchange fee.
Full answer
- Origin: We import directly from Valaurum (USA).
- Currency: Our costs are in USD, so when we update prices we convert to EUR at the current market rate.
- What’s included: VAT and EU import duties are already in the price—no surprise fees.
- What moves the price: Gold spot and the EUR/USD exchange rate; these are pricing factors, not surcharges.
- What doesn’t change: Once you place your order, the EUR total you see at checkout is final.
In short
Because gold notes aren’t classified as “investment gold” under EU VAT rules (they’re not legal-tender coins and not bars/wafers in bullion-market weights), standard VAT applies, so our prices include VAT up front.
Full answer
The EU’s VAT exemption applies only to investment gold. In practice, that means either:
- Bars/wafers of at least 995‰ (99.5%) purity in weights accepted by bullion markets, or
- Certain gold coins that meet strict criteria (e.g., legal tender, minted after 1800, minimum purity, and typically sold close to melt - a full list is on the European Commission’s annual list).
Our pieces are .999 fine (24-karat) gold, but they’re notes (gold laminated within a substrate), not bars/wafers, and not legal-tender coins. That places them outside the exemption, so VAT is required—unlike most qualifying bullion coins and standard bars.
Why we still price VAT-inclusive
- No surprises at checkout—the price you see is the price you pay.
- You’re getting more than metal: detailed artwork, serial numbering, and advanced security (microprinting, UV fluorescence) that typical bullion doesn’t offer.
- Accessible collecting: fractional weights let you build a position gradually, even if VAT applies.
Each note is protected by multiple banknote-level security features to ensure its authenticity. These include:
• Micro-printing and designs embedded within the artwork that are difficult to replicate.
• A UV security layer that reveals fluorescent elements under a blacklight.
• A unique serial number printed on every note.
• The way light passes through the gold creates a distinctive blue-green color, a unique characteristic of this technology.
Your gold notes are designed to be durable, lightweight, and easy to
store. We recommend treating them like any other valuable collectible or
rare banknote. Store them together with your gold coins. Using protective sleeves or a collector's album is a great way
to keep them in pristine condition.
For new collectors, starting with a smaller denomination, like our 50mg
Bald Eagle note, is a fantastic way to begin. It's the most accessible
way to experience the stunning detail, quality, and unique feel of a
gold note firsthand before building a larger collection.
Historically, physical gold has been considered a store of value that
can help protect wealth against inflation, as it is a tangible asset
independent of traditional currencies. Our gold notes are a modern way
to own precise, verifiable amounts of physical gold.
(Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is
not financial advice. You should consult with a financial advisor.)
The wildlife designs celebrate the beauty and majesty of the natural
world. Each design transforms a precise amount of gold into a beautiful
work of art. This adds an extra layer of enjoyment and collectibility to
owning gold, making each note a conversation piece as well as a store
of value.
Like any collectible, scarcity is a key factor in determining future
value. Because our gold notes are released in exclusive, limited-edition
runs, there are only a finite number available. This rarity can
increase their desirability among collectors over time, potentially
enhancing their value beyond the base price of the gold they contain.
No. While they contain real, valuable gold, these notes are not a
government-issued currency and cannot be used to buy goods and services.
They are a modern and innovative form of owning physical gold as a
collectible asset.
You can verify your note in several ways. The easiest is to use a
standard UV (blacklight) to reveal the hidden security features in the
note's design. You can also verify its unique serial number and observe
the distinct way light passes through the gold.
That's the fun part! You can build your collection however you like.
Some collectors enjoy trying to acquire one of every design released.
Others prefer to focus on a specific theme (like North American animals)
or collect different denominations of the same design.
The cutting-edge, proprietary technology used to create these notes
deposits gold atom-by-atom onto a flexible polymer sheet. This allows
for photorealistic detail and a level of intricate artistry that isn't
possible with traditional stamped gold coins or bars, all while
containing a precise, verifiable amount of gold.
As with any high-value collectible, condition is crucial. A note that is
kept in pristine, mint condition without any bends, scratches, or
fading will always be more desirable and hold its maximum potential
value for collectors.
Yes, the pure 24k gold within each note is fully reclaimable using
standard fire assay techniques by a professional refiner. However, the
true value of the note is in its unique form as a beautiful, secure, and
collectible piece of art containing a precise weight of gold.