I'm learning about investing in precious metals. I know that when you buy gold or silver bullion from a dealer, you typically pay the dealer a commission above the spot price. I'm working from an understanding of spot price based on [Investopedia's definition](http://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/spotprice.asp):

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> The current price at which a particular security can be bought or sold at a specified time and place.
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I'm assuming that in the case of the "official" gold and silver spot prices, the "specified time and place" is some big exchange in New York or some other major city.

Is it possible for an individual investor to purchase bullion at or near the spot price by physically going to whatever exchange determines it? Or do you have to be a member of some elite group of investors to even gain access?

(I realize that traveling to New York or wherever would likely more than offset any potential savings. But if you happened to be there already...)