The first step in buying antique gold coins is to check out gold coin dealers in your local city - the larger the better, since bigger cities have more dealers. Ask each one the same questions, and choose some common coins that all of them will have available to examine. You can get the opinion of each of them about how good an investment gold coins would be for you. You'll want to think hard about what each one has to say, then compare them.
Of course, we don't all live in big cities. If there aren't any gold coin dealers in your area, or if there's only one or two, you might need to look elsewhere. The Internet is one popular option, but make sure you're careful about misinformation. There's a lot out there, so be sure you seek out mutiple sources that tell you the same thing, and that back up their information with citations.
Check out local coin clubs, too. Experts on antique gold coins could be living surprisingly close to you. Hobbyists often know as much as a dealer, and can help you decide on the right gold coins, as well as what to pay for them.
Do your comparison shopping online to figure out what's a good price for your coin. It's easy to look with multiple dealers and auction houses to find examples of the coins you're thinking about. You can also visit local auctions in person, but don't buy unless you've done all your research. At first, you'll just be there to learn more about coins and how to buy them.
When you're finally feeling like you're ready to buy, you'll want to go with a dealer who's been in business for a long time, and that's easy to get in touch with. Make sure they're willing to answer all your questions, and that you don't feel like they're too pushy about their products. If you can find one in your local area, you won't have to pay insurance and shipping - just pick your coins up and deposit them at your bank.
Gold coins come in a number of different sizes and types, so you'll want to know them well. Decide on size, denomination, weight, and origin of the coins you'd like. Ask yourself if this purchase is for investment only, or if you're collecting, as well. Remember that if you're choosing an investment, you should expect to pay more than the current price of the same weight in gold - after all, these antique coins are collectible, and few of them are left. However, if you take the time to learn about these coins and shop with care, you could have a great collectible that's also a valuable investment.
