30 Facts About Gold

Gold is a captivating material. For centuries, humans have used and treasured gold because of its value. While you may have considered buying gold jewelry, coins, or bullion in the past, you may not have thought too much about gold’s history, uses, or actual physical properties.  30 Gold Facts You May Not Have Known If you’ve never stopped to think about the gold you’ve purchased for your precious metals IRA or as gifts for friends or family, you’re missing out on some of the material’s... Continue Reading

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How Much Gold Has Been Mined?

That’s a complicated question. The exact amount of previously mined gold is disputed for two reasons:  Because of how much gold has been used in the course of history.  Because of uncertainty around how much gold has yet to be discovered.  According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), around 244,000 metric tons of gold have been discovered. Nearly 187,000 metric tons have historically been produced, with an additional 57,000 metric tons in underground reserves.  As a natural resource, gold’s value is largely determined by... Continue Reading

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What is IRA-Approved Silver?

IRA-approved silver is investment-grade physical silver that’s approved by the IRS to be used in an individual retirement account (IRA).  For your safety and security, the IRS has strict guidelines on what types of metals can be held in an IRA. To be considered eligible as IRA-approved silver, the silver must meet exacting standards for quality, purity, and condition. Not all silver is created equal, but you can rest assured that your IRA will only contain some of the purest and most widely recognized bars... Continue Reading

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Are American Eagle Gold Coins a Good Investment?

Investors traditionally choose gold for the stability, liquidity, and diversification it adds to their investment portfolio. There are many ways to invest in physical gold.   Experienced investors and industry experts agree that purchasing certain IRA-eligible gold coins is one of the safest ways to add gold to your overall investment portfolio. One of the best gold coin investments is the American Eagle Gold.  Gold Eagle Coin History The American Gold Eagle coin first appeared in 1986 and quickly became one of the country’s most prominent... Continue Reading

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The Gold to Silver Ratio: What it’s Telling Us

Have you ever wondered about the relationship between gold and silver prices?  The prices of these two precious metals have been intrinsically linked together throughout history. The gold-silver ratio describes the relationship between them, specifically as it relates to pricing. Precious metals investors and collectors use it as a tool to help determine the best times to buy and sell gold or silver.  Let’s explore how the gold-silver ratio works and how you can use it to time your investments.  What is the Gold to... Continue Reading

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What Is Junk Silver?

Junk silver coins are circulated U.S. coins, typically minted before 1965, that contain 90% silver. Contrary to its name, junk silver is not junk at all. Instead, they’re coins with no numismatic—a fancy word for collectible—value and derive their worth exclusively from their content of silver.   Confused? Well, think about it this way.   We’ve all come home from work, emptied our pockets of change, and tossed it atop a dresser or into a change jar.   That overflowing jug of old shiny pieces of money is... Continue Reading

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GLD and Gold ETFs vs. Owning Physical Gold

There are many ways for investors to get exposure to the precious metals markets. You can buy shares of mining companies, buy shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) backed by gold or silver, buy or sell gold or silver futures contracts, and even purchase gold or silver certificates.   While investments like certificates and ETFs provide exposure to precious metals markets, they’re not a substitute for purchasing real, physical gold or silver. Let’s walk through how GLD and other ETFs compare to physical gold ownership and when... Continue Reading

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Gold Price Charts: Why You Should Invest in Gold Today

Investing in gold—or other precious metals—is a serious decision, especially when your retirement is at stake. But there has never been a better time to purchase gold, either as a way to safeguard against inflationary forces or diversify your retirement portfolio.  Buying gold—either as a retirement asset or a collectible commodity—is a simple process, but the first step is finding reliable information about its current price.   Gold Price Charts: The Price of Gold Today  The stability and value of gold make a compelling argument for... Continue Reading

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The Benefits of Investing in Precious Metals

You have more choices than ever for growing your money as an investor. So much so that the options can feel overwhelming.   While most investors turn to stocks, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and high-yield savings accounts as their primary drivers of wealth, there’s another option you may not have considered: precious metals.  Why consider investing in precious metals? Here are just a few reasons:  Precious metals are valuable because they’re scarce.  Precious metals often have uses in industrial processes, which helps preserve their value. ... Continue Reading

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What Is the Best Precious Metal to Invest In?

Buying precious metals can be an attractive option for anyone who wants to diversify their investment portfolio. Whether you’re seeking an alternative home for your retirement assets or want to hedge against rising inflation and other economic uncertainties, precious metals can make a lot of sense.  Investors who want to buy precious metals have four main options: gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. While gold is perhaps the most prominent investment metal, the others offer compelling reasons to invest. But how do you know what precious... Continue Reading

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