Global bullion performance in 2025 delivered historic growth across gold, silver and platinum, reinforcing investor confidence in physical precious metals as demand accelerates into 2026, according to Rael Demby, CEO of The South African Gold Coin Exchange & The Scoin Shop. “Now that we are in the full stride of 2026, the past twelve months have once again demonstrated the enduring power of precious metals to protect wealth and create opportunity,” says Demby. “South Africans continue to play a meaningful role in this global investment narrative, with a growing appetite for physical metal ownership.”
The South African Gold Coin Exchange & The Scoin Shop have, for decades, played a central role in shaping the local precious metals market, giving investors access to world-class bullion products and trusted international institutions. The latest performance figures released by The Royal Mint — one of the world’s most respected precious metals authorities — underscore the strength of global investor demand across gold, silver and platinum.
Record-Breaking Year for Bullion Demand
The Royal Mint reported its strongest year on record for online bullion sales in 2025, driven by heightened global uncertainty, portfolio diversification strategies and growing demand for tangible assets.
Year-on-year growth figures were significant:
- Gold bullion sales increased by 142%
- Silver bullion sales rose by 253%
- Platinum bullion sales climbed by 249%
- Total customer spend grew by approximately 150%
“This data points to a sustained shift toward physical precious metals as a store of value rather than short-term speculation,” says Demby. “It is a trend we are seeing reflected very clearly among South African investors.”
Final Quarter Marks Peak in Investor Activity
The final quarter of 2025 proved to be The Royal Mint’s busiest trading period on record:
- Gold sales rose 144%
- Silver demand surged 526%
- Platinum sales increased 332%
“What stands out most for us locally is the exceptional strength in silver,” Demby adds. “Sales of the Silver Krugerrand far exceeded expectations, highlighting silver’s growing role as both an accessible entry point for new investors and a strategic component of more established portfolios.” Demby notes that this momentum has continued beyond the calendar year-end. “We saw the same pattern reflected across our own business in the final months of 2025, and importantly, that demand has carried through into January. The evidence suggests that investor interest is not fading — it is consolidating.”
Prices Reach Historic Highs
Precious metal prices delivered strong gains over the course of 2025:
- Gold rose by approximately 54%
- Silver increased by 132%
- Platinum gained 107%
Gold traded above $2,400 per ounce, with a 1kg gold bar exceeding $77,000. The Royal Mint recorded its busiest trading day shortly after gold breached this significant global price level.
Broader Participation from New Investors
The Royal Mint also reported meaningful growth in first-time participation:
- Total bullion customers increased by 35%
- 62% of buyers were first-time investors
Despite some profit-taking at higher prices, buying activity continued to outweigh selling. In the final quarter, for every investor who sold gold, seven bought. For silver, the ratio rose to fifteen buyers for every seller.
Outlook for 2026 “What we are seeing is not a short-term spike, but a structural shift in investor behaviour,” Demby concludes. “With demand remaining strong into January and broader participation continuing to grow, precious metals are firmly re-establishing their role as a core component of diversified portfolios in 2026 and beyond.”
