ETC: Tracks the spot price of gold (the real time price of
one troy ounce of gold. Either physical or synthetic.
Modern gold bullion coins are investment grade gold legal tender at a small
premium to spot price of gold in the markets. Closely follows gold spot price.
Numismatic gold coins (rare gold coins) have a value different to the gold content of coins. Value is
more dependent on external factors such as collector's demand, rarity, auctioning and timing.
Gold certificates are ownership of quantity of gold held by a provider, allocated or
unallocated. Unallocated certificates are subject to risk of provider insolvency.
Shares in gold mining companies give some exposure to the gold price but
includes investment specific risk of individual company.
Futures and options: leveraged position on the gold price which
exagerates gains and losses.