Britain Offers New Gold Coin Service

Britain's Royal Mint on Monday launched an online gold and silver coin trading service and said purchases could be stored under 24-hour military protection in its vault or delivered to your door.

Use of the vault is only for clients buying a minimum of 25 gold sovereigns -- worth around £4,600 (5,847 euros, $7,515).

"The Royal Mint Vault resides behind the gates of our secure facility in South Wales, guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by the Ministry of Defense," it said on the new website, royalmintbullion.com.

The Royal Mint said the vault offered "unrivaled security and a service promising absolute confidentiality and discretion".

But it added that it could not accommodate any curious customers who want to see their stash of gold for themselves.

"The Vault is one of the most secure facilities in the United Kingdom, individual visits are not possible," it said.

As for the home delivery service, it said bags would be "discreet and unbranded" and could be sent internationally.

The Royal Mint traces its history back over 1,000 years and produces all the coins made in Britain, as well as working for more than 60 other countries worldwide.