One should always consider gold or another precious metal as a part of any well rounded investment portfolio. When taking a long term approach with your investment portfolio, gold should always be considered as one of the best assets to have for long term appreciation. The next question is what kind of gold one should put in their portfolio? There are a number of different ways to accomplish this. Investing in gold companies (considered high risk), ETF's which are gold funds, keeping gold in an online account or buying physical gold bullion in the form of bars and coins.

Exchange funds, as well as stocks in a gold mining company, are subject to market fluctuations as well as the health of the company. Solid gold is typically not subject to such swings and is often considered much safer. This makes holding gold bars and coins one of the safer ways to own gold in a portfolio. Reputable dealers can sell you this type of gold holding and you can also obtain them directly from the mint. With the mint you should get some type of certificate of authenticity, guaranteed by the government.

Some of the most popular gold coins to invest in or collect are the American Gold Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf gold coins and the Krugerrand from South Africa. If you are interested in physical bars they can be bought and stored safely for the future. Because they are generally harder to sell they are not nearly as popular as gold coinage. Gold coins can literally be sold in almost any country. Best of all, gold coins are tax free, which is an added advantage. For American citizens it is also possible to invest in gold bullion through a IRA account, although one must consider the tax implications.

Although not thought of, gold is actually real money and one of the best safe havens for any investor to have. It's also one of the best ways to keep your wealth, as well as giving it to the next generation in your family. It's advisable not to invest in gold companies until you have accumulated enough physical gold as needed by a balanced portfolio. Then higher risk investments in gold can be considered.

Some investors like to have the actual physical gold in their possession. Delivery of this type of gold can be an added expense and one needs to consider this, not to mention security implications. Many people prefer to have their gold bullion in coins and then store them safely in a home vault or in a safe deposit box at a bank.

Disclaimer: This is article is meant as educational and not as tax, investment, or any other form of professional advice. If you are unsure you should consult with a licensed professional.