If you have been watching the price of gold lately, you know it has been climbing fast—more than 70% over the last 19 months. So when Costco began selling 1-ounce 24-karat gold bars in 2023, people rushed in to grab what they saw as a stable investment. At first, Costco limited purchases to two bars per member. But now, that has changed. You are only allowed one gold bar per transaction and a maximum of two every 24 hours.
Why is Costco limiting gold bar sales?
That is right—Costco is tightening the reins on how much gold you can buy. Why? Because demand is skyrocketing. The bars are disappearing from the website in just hours. According to former CFO Richard Galanti, “When we load them on the site, they’re typically gone within a few hours.” That kind of demand forced Costco to make a strategic move—control the flow.
How much do Costco gold bars cost now?
Right now, a 1-ounce South African gold bar is selling for $3,279.99 on Costco’s site. That is a big jump from the roughly $2,000 price tag it had when Costco first launched the bullion option. And it is not just one brand. The PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna Veriscan bar is priced similarly—and comes with the same limit: one per transaction, two per 24 hours.
So, what changed? It is not just Costco raising prices. Gold itself is on fire. April saw record highs for the precious metal. If you are wondering whether this is a good time to invest, you are not alone. A lot of folks are treating these gold bars as more than a novelty. In fact, Wells Fargo estimates Costco could be making $100 million to $200 million a month from these gold sales alone.
What precious metals can you still buy at Costco?
If you are not ready to spend over three grand on a single bar, there are other options. Costco also sells:
- 1-ounce American Eagle gold coin – $3,329.99 (limit: 1 per transaction, 2 per 24 hours)
- 10-ounce silver bar – $359.99 (limit: 1 per transaction, 10 per 24 hours)
- 5-gram gold bar on an 18-karat gold chain – $1,149.99 (no limit)
That last one is the only gold product currently listed without any purchasing restriction, at least for now.
Are gold bars at Costco still worth it?
That depends on why you are buying. If you are looking to diversify your assets or hedge against inflation, gold could be a smart move. And Costco’s offering makes it easy—you can order straight from the site. But the new purchase limits mean you will need a bit more strategy if you are trying to buy in bulk or resell.
Also, remember: these bars are non-returnable. You are committing once you buy. So think carefully about your goals. Are you buying for security? For a gift? Or just because it feels like everyone else is doing it?
What does this mean for future gold investors?
Costco’s tightening of gold limits is more than just a supply issue—it is a signal. People are looking for stability in uncertain times, and gold has always been a go-to safe haven. If demand keeps rising, we might see more changes in the way retailers handle precious metals.
You might want to act fast, though. As one social media user joked, “You know things are getting weird when your mom starts eyeing gold bars at Costco like it’s toilet paper in 2020.” In other words—when everyday shoppers start hoarding gold, you know something big is shifting.
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