Quote from Rehoboth:
Well it depends on what you are planning on doing with it. If you thinking the sky is falling and want to physically own gold then you probably want basic eagles or leafs. Or take physically delivery through various methods, but that is if you want a serious amount. You are going to have to pay transaction costs no matter what either through commission or delivery costs.
If you dont have a need to physically own gold, then the lowest transaction cost items would be GLD, gold futures, and holders such as PHYS and GTU.