The silver spot price recently took a dive from over $17 per ounce to sub-$16 levels, but this dip hasn’t deterred investors from considering the white metal. On the contrary, many investors are now wondering if silver is a better investment than gold.

Gold ran up to $1226 in December of 2009, and many investors had to cross the yellow metal off the wish list because the per-ounce price was too expensive for them, and buying portions of ounces sometimes means heaping on tremendous premiums that get passed from the manufacturer to the distributor to the dealer and finally to the consumer. While silver isn’t as closely tied to the US dollar as gold is, the “poor man’s gold” does tend to move in the opposite direction of the dollar index the majority of the time.

However, storing silver can sometimes be a hassle, because you need about 70 times the space to store silver as you do for gold. There is also the problem that, in a national financial emergency, some vendors may be unwilling to accept silver and may only accept gold as a form of payment. This is all speculation, of course, since the situation that our nation is now facing is brand new to anyone who didn’t live through the Great Depression.

Silver is somewhat more speculative than gold because silver’s industrial uses are more volatile, so security seekers are encouraged to do their utmost to invest in gold instead of silver if they have to choose. Diversification is always important, and some experts recommend up to a 70/30 split between gold and silver. To see if you should invest in silver or gold or possibly both, contact GoldSilver.org directly and our trained specialists can help you to evaluate your portfolio.

Experienced investors know that the worth of certified gold and silver coins, is initially determined by their status as either rare, or bullion coin. Government-issued bullion coins generally carry prices that hover a bit above the current gold spot price, while rare gold and silver coins command much higher premiums.

The reason why certified rare gold and silver coins are so costly is because they possess numismatic value, which generally appreciates over time. The world’s two most reputable rare, gold and silver coin numismatic certification companies are the PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), and the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation). The PCGS pioneered modern rare coin numismatic certification back in 1986, and the NGC, which is the official certification company of the ANA (American Numismatic Association), was incepted one year later. This web-logger recommends only these two certification companies to prospective buyers, as more obscure certifications could likely fetch a disappointing liquidation price in the future.

Each of these companies uses their own team of rare coin experts to individually examine, and “mint state grade” each gold and silver coin, which is based on a 70-point “Sheldon Scale”. This numismatic grade for investment-quality rare, gold and silver coins usually ranges between 61, and 66, and ultimately determines the worth of certified gold and silver coins.

Novice investors are hereby warned to avoid paying for PCGS, or NGC-certification for modern bullion coins, and to always conduct background checks on any precious metal dealer that they are considering.

Those who have completed their research can avoid paying outrageous retail prices for their gold and silver bullion, and rare coins by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these coins to household investors like you.

Shannon King

Gold coin prices are most immediately determinate on a given coin’s status as either bullion, or rare gold coin, with rare gold coins commanding exceptionally high premiums, and bullion coins carrying prices that are slightly higher than the current gold spot price. Modern bullion coins contain exactly one troy-ounce of pure gold, which makes them ideal for tracking the current gold spot price, and their absence of numismatic value also makes them commonly used potential profit vehicles.

Government-approved bullion coins can also be used as long-term, gold-backed IRA contributions, which include 22-karat American Eagles, along with various 24-karat bullion coinages. Even though 22, and 24-karat bullion coins are of differing purities, they still both contain a full troy-ounce of pure gold, with 24-karat bullion coins naturally commanding slightly higher premiums.

Rare gold coins command considerably higher premiums than their numismatically devoid counterparts, and wise investors officially certify their long-term rare coin holdings with official “mint state grades”. Since gold traders refer to these grades at liquidation time, it is wise to only use either the PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), or the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation), for rare coin numismatic certification, since gold traders hold these two rare coin-assaying companies in the highest regard.

Investors who have completed their research, can avoid paying exploitive retail prices for their bullion, and rare gold coin by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these items to household investors like you.

Shawn Cunningham

For the benefit of novice, and experienced gold investors, the ascending order of gold bullion prices follows as such: 24-karat Bullion bars, 22-karat bullion coins, 24-karat bullion coins, 22-karat proof coins, and 24-karat, ultra-high proof coins.

Both novices, and experienced precious metals investors alike, are hereby reminded that both 22, and 24-karat bullion coins each contain a full troy-ounce of pure gold, but that the 24-karat purity of coins like American Buffalos, or Canadian Maple Leafs, carry higher premiums that 22-karat American Eagles, or South African Krugerrands. Since bullion is completely devoid of numismatic value, its’ prices generally hover slightly above the current gold spot price, which represents the cost of one troy-ounce of pure gold.

Any investor, who is considering using gold bullion prices to start a gold-backed IRA, should know that American Eagles are the only 22-karat bullion that is government-approved for such usage, along with 24-karat bullion bars and coins. (Rare coins are also disallowed for precious metal IRAs).

Premiums for proof coins escalates a bit, as they require a special minting process, which produces a nearly impossible-looking effect, where the coin’s designs seem to float just above a mirror-like background, or “field”. 24-karat ultra-high proofs are even more stunning, and thus command even slightly higher premiums.

Investors are encouraged to complete their research, and then to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these, and many other items to household investors like you.

Shawn Cunningham

The philosophy of using rare coins for long-term wealth protection is a sound one, especially since gold prices have been rising since 2001, and the numismatic value that rare coins have, can appreciate much more dramatically than the gold spot price. This economic trend was demonstrated throughout the inflationary cycle of the 1970s, and today’s savvy investors are taking a page out of history, to preserve their wealth in today’s even more tumultuous financial atmosphere.

It costs considerably more to invest in rare coin as opposed to bullion, which generally commands prices that hover above the current gold spot price (which represents the cost of one troy-ounce of pure gold), but since rare coins are a long-term investment, it makes more sense to let numismatic value do the work that bullion simply cannot. For these reasons, today’s serious long-term investors are purchasing Double Eagles, which contain almost a full troy-ounce of pure gold, but far greater numismatic worth. This inherent worth was demonstrated in spades during the 1970s, as certain $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat rare coins (also known as Double Eagles) appreciated by nearly 1000%.

Since this historic numismatic appreciation coincided with such an abysmal, long-term economic cycle, prospective buyers are strongly advised to only purchase rare gold coins, whose numismatic value has been officially certified by either the PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), or the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation). www.pcgs.com, www.ngccoin.com.

Thoroughly researched investors can avoid paying outlandish retail prices for their certified rare gold coinage by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these coins to household investors like you.

Shawn Cunningham

If it is said that discretion is the better part of valor, then privacy is without question the better part of wealth protection. U.S. investors from coast to coast are looking to preserve their wealth throughout these convoluted economic times, but many are concerned about privacy issues that typically surround assets like stocks, bonds, or CDs. The popularity of precious metals investing has mushroomed in recent years, but cautious investors want to know if long-term, certified gold coin investments are indeed private. The answer is a definitive “yes”, as rare, certified gold coins are not only one of the last assets that can be obtained privately, they are also deemed to irretrievable through a second possible bullion confiscation from U.S. citizens.

Coin ownership privacy of certified rare gold coins like Double Eagles, are widely popular among today’s long-term investors who seek privately-owned, safe haven assets, as they contain almost a full troy-ounce of pure gold (.9675 ounces), and their numismatic value generally tends to appreciate over time. Investors certify this inherent value with official “mint state grades”, which should only be designated by either the PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), or the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation).

Certified coin ownership privacy is maintained until the coins are liquidated, until which time, they are exempt from capital gains taxation. As always, investors are advised to always consult an accountant, or tax attorney, for concerns over liquidation liabilities. (www.americanchronicle.com).

Investors who complete their research, are encouraged to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on certified rare gold coins to household investors like you.

Shawn Cunningham

Gold American Eagle bullion coins are beneficial for short-term and long-term ventures, as they are both globally liquid, and U.S. government-backed for weight, and precious metal content. These modern coins contain exactly one troy-ounce of pure gold, with an alloy of copper and silver (for added durability), and are distinguishable by their purely symbolic $50 face value. Gold American Eagle coins also carry a nearly identical obverse design to the legendary, rare, $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat gold coins, which were minted from 1907, to 1933, so novice investors must remain mindful of this distinction.

Since gold American Eagle bullion coins are completely absent of numismatic value, their prices generally hover slightly above the current gold spot price, so investors should be wary of modern coins that have been numismatically certified with official “mint state grades”. These grades are normally reserved for rare coins that do possess numismatic value, but shady gold dealers occasionally attempt to pass off modern bullion as rare coin, by masking the coin with globally reputable, PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation)-certification.

American Eagles are also the only 22-karat bullion coins that are U.S. government-approved for gold-backed IRA storage, along with various 24-karat bullion bars and coins. Proof versions of these coins are also acceptable, although their prices are notably higher.

Prospective buyers can avoid paying unthinkable retail prices for their American Eagle bullion by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these, and many other gold coins to household investors like you.

Shawn Cunningham

Modern bullion coins contain a full troy-ounce of pure gold, and are minted in both 22, and 24-karat purity. Naturally, 24-karat coins command slightly higher premiums than 22-karat bullion, but coins of both purities are completely devoid of numismatic value, and hence carry prices that hover slightly above the current gold spot price, which represents the cost of one troy-ounce of pure gold. Bullion coins are commonly used as short-term profit vehicles, but are also used as diversifications for long-term, certified rare gold coin holdings, which command exponentially higher premiums.

Since many investors cannot afford rare gold coin prices, they are using bullion’s relative affordability, to maximize their long-term financial safety. Gold spot prices historically tend to rise throughout long-term recessions, so many investors are opening U.S. government-approved, gold-backed IRAs, which do not permit rare coins for storage.

American Eagle, one-ounce bullion coins are the only 22-karat items that are permitted for IRA storage, as well as proof versions of these $50 face value coins. Along with government-approved bullion bar brand names, acceptable 24-karat bullion coins for precious metal IRA storage include the following: American Buffalos, Austrian Philharmonics, Canadian Maple Leafs, Chinese Pandas, and Australian Kangaroos, Koalas, and Lunar coins. These coins are also minted in fractional denominations, like ½-ounce, ¼-ounce, and 1/10-ounces to accommodate a wider range of budgets.

Resourceful investors who complete their research, can avoid paying over marked retail prices for their 22, and 24-karat bullion gold coin by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these coins to household investors like you.

Shawn Cunningham

Multitudes of today’s corporate, and household investors are seeking shelter from today’s economic implosion, through long-term gold investment. There are vast numbers of investors who simply cannot afford rare coin prices, and these pragmatic investors are begging the question, “What’s the difference between gold IRAs, and gold stock IRAs?”

Most of us are familiar with the old saying, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”, and physical precious metals investors take this catchy expression to heart. These long-term buyers are using physical, U.S. government-approved gold bullion for their personal IRA storage, as well as to diversify physical, rare coin holdings like Double Eagles, which are $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat gold coins, minted from 1850 to 1907, and from 1907, to 1933, respectively. Of course, Double Eagles aren’t permitted for gold-backed IRA storage, and modern American Eagles are the only 22-karat bullion that is permitted in these retirement accounts.

The U.S. government does approve of 24-karat bullion bars, which typically come in one-ounce, and ten-ounce denominations, although kilo bars are also available. Reputable brand names for these bars include Engelhard, Johnson Matthey, Credit Suisse, and PAMP Suisse, for quality, and 24-karat purity. 24-karat bullion coinage includes one-ounce American Buffalos, Austrian Philharmonics, Canadian Maple Leafs, Chinese Pandas, and Australian Kangaroos, Koalas, and Lunar coins.

Essentially, the difference between gold IRAs, and gold stock IRAs, lies in physical possession of metal. Gold Stock IRAs’ value is primarily dependent upon the success or failure of a given mining company, and long-term gold holders view these types of IRAs as highly speculative. Investors who have completed their research, are encouraged to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on bullion, and rare gold coin to household investors like you.

Shawn Cunningham

Diversifying between various types of precious metals is recommended for investors who have thoroughly evaluated their finances, and determined his or her specific financial needs and expectations. Gold bullion vs. silver bullion is an often-weighed quandary among a great many precious metals investors, but they would be better served to research the benefits of diversifying among both metals, rather than pitting one metal’s benefits above another’s. Both types of metals have their advantages, which is why ownership of both precious metal types is recommended, as determined by each investor’s individual financial situation.

Aesthetically, gold bullion vs. silver bullion is much more of a pleasure than it is a contrast, as the brilliance of both metals is enjoyably evident, especially when they are actually viewed together. U.S. investors have overwhelmed the U.S. Mint with demand for Silver Eagles, as well as 22-karat, American Eagle bullion coins, which is another demonstrative indication that long-term and short-term gold and silver bullion investment is a historically viable investment option.

Not everyone can afford rare coin investment for long-term financial protection, so bullion investors can use their gold and silver bullion bars and coins as government-approved, precious metal-backed IRA contributions. The aforementioned coins are U.S. government-approved for IRA storage, as well as reputable, 24-karat bullion bars, and globally popular, 24-karat gold, and .999 pure silver bullion coins like Canadian Maple Leafs, and Chinese Pandas.

Investors are encouraged to complete their research, and then to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these, and many other precious metals items to household investors like you.

Shawn Cunningham