| Gold and other precious metals have been moving | | | | about $25 plus the spot price for 1 ounce coin, |
| rapidly upward in the market, and investors | | | | and if you sell it you will receive a few dollars less |
| wonder what investment vehicles are the best | | | | than the spot price. The cost for a buy and sell |
| choices to capture that upward price appreciation | | | | combined is about $30. Foreign bullion coins, such |
| in the precious metals market. Many wish to buy | | | | as Canadian Maples or Krugerrands are slightly less |
| and hold the precious metals themselves, but | | | | liquid but may also have lower buy and sell costs. |
| there are a number of alternatives. Each of these | | | | There are also one ounce silver bullion coins, which |
| different options has its own strengths and | | | | are available with a similar significant cost to buy |
| weaknesses. This discussion gives some basic | | | | and sell. |
| information on the most common possibilities. | | | | US 90% coin silver |
| Depending on what your goals are, you may | | | | Until 1964, all US coinage other than nickels and |
| choose to use one or more of the available | | | | cents were made of 90% silver. These coins also |
| options described below. I'm not an investment | | | | have a bullion value based on their silver content. |
| counselor, nor am I offering any investment | | | | You can normally purchase from just a few to a |
| advice, but here is a brief explanation and | | | | big bucket full, and they are sold both by weight |
| introduction to each of the best known | | | | and by face dollar amount - by weight is probably |
| opportunities for precious metals investment: | | | | the better deal as some old coins are worn. |
| US and international gold bullion coins | | | | These coins are available at most coin shops. Like |
| The US and many other countries have made | | | | other bullion coins, there is a significant cost to |
| and are continuing to make gold bullion coins for | | | | buy and sell. |
| sale. These are not coins which are rare and have | | | | US Gold numismatic collector coins |
| numismatic value, but are coins made for | | | | Many investors are interested in gold collector |
| investors interested in their bullion value. The | | | | coins. These are coins with a large numismatic |
| American gold eagle coin is available and | | | | (coin collector) value premium in addition to their |
| denominations of 1/10 ounce, one quarter ounce, | | | | bullion value. These coins will fluctuate somewhat |
| one half ounce and 1 ounce. The great advantage | | | | with precious metal prices, but many times they |
| of bullion coins is that they are easily available, | | | | also contain a significant price premium due to |
| liquid and portable. Most coin shops buy and sell | | | | their desirability as collector coins. Sometimes the |
| them. If you plan to buy small amounts of gold, | | | | collector price appreciates significantly, but for |
| perhaps half an ounce a month for investment | | | | those who really wish to invest in the appreciation |
| purposes, this is the kind of thing you may be | | | | of precious metal prices, these coins are probably |
| interested in. The disadvantage is that they have | | | | not the best vehicle. |
| a significant cost of getting in and out. It will cost | | | | |