In front of the window of a sign on rue Vivienne (2nd), the historic Parisian artery for amateurs, Pascal (the first names have been changed) flips through a small catalogue. He still hesitates. The purchase price of his favorite gold coins, the 20 Napoleonic or Latin Union francs, is above the psychological threshold he has set at 350 euros. 12 years ago, when he became interested in the precious yellow metal, he had it for 190 euros.
“Since then it has only increased, it’s incredible! he smiles. This very young fiftysomething from Val-de-Marne has made a habit of investing regularly. A little for the pleasure of collecting coins with images of kings of Spain or Belgium – “because apart from increasing in value, it is beautiful! “.
But also and above all with a view to eventually bequeathing these treasures to his daughter. “I buy a piece about every two months,” continues the man who owns about fifty of them, carefully stored at home in a special piece of furniture. Pascal does not plan to resell, “except in an emergency”. But to redeem soon, for sure.
Keep savings out of the banking system
That the price is at its peak is not a problem for Paul, 37, who bought his first Napoleon in 2008, in the middle of the subprime crisis. This seasonal worker in the south of France, who earns almost €3,500 a month, now buys “4 or 5 pieces a year”.
Ounces or 50 Mexican pesos, which he orders on the gold side in cash. “I always said that it would go strong and I think it will continue”, justifies the one who estimates his booty at almost 50,000 euros, kept in the bank or with relatives. For this father of two, gold has a unique quality. “It will never lose its value and I can sell it on whenever I want. It’s the best life insurance.”
He does not rule out selling some of it on one day to buy “a car or a house”, but his main motivation remains to keep his savings “out of the banking system” and protect himself from the crisis he fears.
“It is something that is truly mine”
Samira, she took the plunge recently, encouraged by her research on the Internet or on TikTok. Two months ago, this 40-year-old from the Paris region, who earns 1,500 euros a month, invested part of his savings in the famous yellow metal. And even a large part, ignores the elementary rules of prudence that recommend diversifying one’s investments.
“I bought more than 15,000 euros in gold and I only kept 5,000 euros in savings in my current account and my Livret A account,” she confides. Only coins with a varied panel: Sovereigns, Napoleons, Mexican pesos… “My adviser explained to me that the bar did not necessarily correspond to my needs”, says Samira, who made her purchases on the platform.Aucoffre.com. Especially since it’s easy to buy others as and when it comes in. And above all, they are easier to resell if cash is needed.
“But as long as I don’t need the money, I won’t sell it,” promises the forty-year-old, captivated by his new investment. “It’s like collecting works of art… You can look at them, touch them. It is something that is truly mine that I can give to someone who cares about me. And it changes from a simple amount on a bank statement. »
Because Samira, if she had the option to keep her gold in the safe vaults of the Aucoffre.com platform, chose to keep her coins at home. Is she afraid of having them stolen? Not at all. “At least no one knows that I bought gold.”