Sep
24
2010
When someone discusses the purchase of a costly item like a silver bar it is often in the context of investing. Naturally, anyone is legally able to acquire a bar of silver bullion, but the most common reason that they will choose to do so is to enjoy the many benefits of owning such a reliable store of value.
What is a store of value and why would a silver bar represent a good example of one? A store of value is usually a form of currency or a commodity, and is something that can be purchased, stored, and retrieved later on to be used in a predictable and reliable manner. Continue reading
no comments | tags: Bullion, silver bar | posted in Precious Metals
Sep
21
2010
Gold coins and gold bullion are the two most common ways that people buy this metal. Coins are produced by governments and are minted in treasuries, which is their principal difference with gold bullion. Bullion is produced by private companies, though the purity of bullion is strictly controlled. There are some home bullion making machines on the market, as well. The bullion produced by any DIY bullion maker is not of investment quality and you should not pay market price for any such quantity of metal, if you bother buying it at all.
Gold coins are backed by the government that made them where their bullion mass and purity is concerned. They also oftentimes have unique alloys used in their construction. These alloys change the color in attractive ways but, more importantly, they make the coin very durable. Pure gold is very soft. In fact, you can bite into pure gold and leave tooth marks behind, which is why characters in old cartoons are sometimes depicted biting into a coin when they doubt the honesty of the character who handed it to them. This softness, however, is impractical for coinage. Continue reading
no comments | tags: coin dealer, Gold Coins | posted in Precious Metals
Sep
20
2010
You’ve decided that you want to invest in some high-quality, gorgeous Canadian Maple Leaf coins. You’ve never done such a thing but how hard could it be? Don’t all coins look the same? Actually, not all coins look the same. While investing in coins can be a lucrative and exciting way to build your financial portfolio, you also have to be careful. Who you purchase your coins from does matter. If you pick a seller who is willing to scam you, you could be going home with some fake coins.
First of all, how do you pick a place to buy your Canadian Maple Leaf coins? You do some internet research! First of all, you need to make sure that the coin dealer is experienced. An experienced coin dealer will be able to spot a fake coin, and if the business has integrity, they won’t sell you one either. Continue reading
no comments | tags: Canadian Maple Leaf, Coins | posted in Precious Metals
Sep
20
2010
Coin collecting has become one of the most popular hobbies in the world. It dates back to ancient Rome where coins were catalogued by academics interested in the history of coins. Since this time, minting coins has taken on worldwide prevalence and the varieties now available are astounding.
In addition to their intrinsic precious metal value, or bullion value, certified coins have a numismatic value. This value is determined by such things as a coin’s historic significance, rarity, mintmarks, quality and an endless number of other nuances. Numismatic value has the potential to increase a coin’s value many times over their bullion value. Countless investors wishing to diversify their financial portfolios have made the savvy decision to procure rare certified coins. Such investors are likely to make a significant profit if they have a basic understanding of numismatics and, most importantly, work with a reputable rare coin dealer. Continue reading
no comments | tags: mintmarks, rare coin dealer | posted in Precious Metals
Sep
19
2010
Precious metals are defined as rare, naturally occurring elements that have high monetary value. Unlike paper currency, which has a fixed face value, the values of these metals are determined by the weight of pure content. This is the biggest advantage precious metals investments have over the stock market.
The face value of the dollar has dropped considerably over the past century, with the most significant inflation happening in the last ten years. The price of gold over the same decade, however, has increased by over four hundred percent, surpassing $1,000 per troy ounce in 2008 for the first time in history. This is an extremely compelling argument for buying gold. Continue reading
no comments | tags: buying gold, gold bars | posted in Precious Metals
Sep
10
2010
Cvollecting silver coins is a serious hobby for many people around the world. Collectors can buy coins from many sources, from online auctions or EBay to numismatic conferences where coin collectors meet to buy and sell their treasures in person. Collecting silver coins isn’t always easy, as it can be hard for a novice collector to spot a counterfeit coin. There are many silver plated coins for sale worldwide that are counterfeit, but are of such high quality it’s incredibly difficult to determine that they are fake.
Here are the top 5 things a collector can look for to spot a counterfeit coin: Continue reading
no comments | tags: Silver Coins, spot a counterfeit coin | posted in Precious Metals
Sep
8
2010
Throughout history, gold coins have been coveted and collected by royalty and noblemen. Once a hobby only the wealthy and noble could enjoy, today, people of all ages and income levels practice coin collecting. In fact, today’s market has seen coins become one of the most powerful investment vehicles available. As collecting becomes more popular, people are trying to find the best coins to collect in order to find a greater degree of wealth in the long run. Understanding the market before starting your collection will help to protect your investment and ensure that you are collecting the coins that will yield the highest returns.
Whether you prefer new bullion coins or you’re in search of rare coins, you can find many valuable options to choose from when you collect gold coins. One of the most popular and highly sought after coins on the market today is the Canadian Maple Leaf. This coin is collected not only for its value, but also because it is considered one of the most beautiful coins ever made. It’s the official bullion coin of Canada and is a favorite of collectors all over the world. The United States’ equivalent to that coin is the American Eagle. These coins are also coveted for their design, and are very valuable as well. Continue reading
no comments | tags: bullion coins, Gold Coins | posted in Precious Metals