Where is the best place to find gold bars early in the game?

Finding gold bars early in Red Dead Redemption 2 can significantly boost your in-game finances, allowing you to purchase better weapons, upgrades, and supplies. Gold bars are worth $500 each, making them one of the most valuable items in the game. While they are rare, there are specific locations and methods to acquire them early in the story, even before completing major missions.\n\nOne of the best places to find a gold bar early is the **Limpany Sheriff''s Office**, located just south of Horseshoe Overlook, your camp in Chapter 2. This location is accessible as soon as you gain free roam after the initial missions. Head to the burned-down town of Limpany, and inside the ruined sheriff''s office, you''ll find a lockbox under the desk. Open it to discover a gold bar. This is a quick and easy way to get your first gold bar without any combat or complex puzzles.\n\nAnother early-game gold bar can be found at **Strange Statues**, located in a cave northwest of Annesburg. To access this, you''ll need to solve a small puzzle. Inside the cave, you''ll see three animal statues: a snake, a wolf, and a hawk. Each statue has a lever beneath it. The solution is to pull the levers in the following order: snake (left), wolf (center), and hawk (right). Doing this correctly will open a hidden compartment containing a gold bar. This location requires no combat but does involve some exploration and puzzle-solving.\n\nFor players willing to take on a bit of risk, the **Train Wreck** location northeast of Bacchus Station is another excellent spot. Here, you''ll find a crashed train with a gold bar hidden in one of the train cars. Be cautious, as this area is often patrolled by hostile NPCs. Use stealth or prepare for a fight to secure the gold bar. This location is accessible early in the game and provides a good challenge for players looking to test their combat skills.\n\nGame mechanics play a significant role in acquiring gold bars. For example, some gold bars are locked behind story progression or specific missions, but the locations mentioned above are accessible early. Additionally, gold bars are heavy, so you can only carry a limited number at a time. To maximize your earnings, sell them to a fence as soon as possible. Fences become available after completing the mission ''Spines of America'' in Chapter 2, where you meet Seamus at Emerald Ranch.\n\nPractical tips for finding gold bars include using your map and Eagle Eye ability to locate hidden items. Eagle Eye highlights interactable objects, making it easier to spot lockboxes or hidden compartments. Always explore thoroughly, as gold bars are often tucked away in obscure locations. Lastly, save your game before attempting risky activities, such as raiding the Train Wreck, to avoid losing progress if things go wrong.\n\nIn summary, the best early-game locations for gold bars are Limpany Sheriff''s Office, Strange Statues, and the Train Wreck. These spots provide a mix of accessibility, challenge, and reward, making them ideal for players looking to boost their finances early in Red Dead Redemption 2.