Are Maple Leaf Gold Coins a Good Investment?

Maple Leaf Gold coins, designed, minted, and offered by the Royal Canadian Mint, are the official gold bullion coin of Canada. They were first produced in 1979 and the Maple Leaf Gold coins issued between 1979 and 1982 have a gold content that measures .999 gold bullion. Some of the issues, currently, are actually 24-karat gold, which is .99999 pure.

According to the Wikipedia Gold Maple Leaf coin page, the Maple Leaf Gold coins are available in the following sizes and weights, each with a different face value (they are considered to be legal tender, but their actual worth is much more, because of the pure gold bullion that they contain):

· 1/25-ounce, face value of $0.50, Canadian

· 1/20-ounce, face value of $1.00, Canadian

· 1/10-ounce, face value of $5.00, Canadian

· 1/4-ounce, face value of $10.00, Canadian

· 1/2-ounce, face value of $20.00, Canadian

· 1-ounce, face value of $50.00, Canadian

But that doesn’t answer the question of whether or not Maple Leaf Gold coins are a good investment. The page on Bullion.com about these coins says that they are often bought by people in India and other areas of the east, where gold bullion is highly prized. So there is a start to an answer: because Maple Leaf Gold coins are pure bullion, they’re in demand not just nationally, but internationally.

When you’re looking to invest, precious metals are good way to go, especially if you want to diversify your portfolio. While it’s never wise to invest solely in one area, making the decision to buy gold, including Maple Leaf Gold coins, is a good call. Gold holds its value through good and bad economic times, it can be converted to cash when needed, and it’s easily transported and stored (at least in small amounts) at home.

The Maple Leaf Gold coins, because they are pure gold, are an excellent investment choice. When you’re getting ready to buy these coins – whether you’re looking at buying just one or two or many – you should look into online companies selling gold. This will ensure that you’re paying the lowest mark-up, are able to lock in the price that you want, and will be able to have the coins delivered to your home or to a vault (entirely your decision), insured.

One of the companies that you should research is MeritFinancial; they have been in business for many years, have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and they offer the Maple Leaf Gold coins at excellent prices.

wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Gold_Maple_Leaf

mint.ca

How to Keep Value of Silver Coins Intact

Who doesn’t love a real silver coin? Whether the silver coin is a silver American Eagle. silver bar or silver bullion, the precious metal has worth, beauty and sometimes a bit of history connected to it. That is why it is very important to know exactly what to do to keep the value of silver coins intact. The answer is simple, do absolutely nothing.

Silver is an organic material, the precious metal is harvested directly from Mother Earth. Over time it is possible for the silver to turn a dull shade, the process is called tarnish or toning. Whatever you do, do not remove that pantina. Polishing silver and making it look pretty can actually lower the value of collectible items including silver coins and silver bars.

While it may be very tempting to take out the 1 oz silver or whatever size silver coin you have been collecting, leave it alone. The more silver is handled, the greater chances of a scratched finish. Additionally, silver is a soft metal and silver coins, silver bars and silver bullion is some of the purest forms of the precious metal and too much handling can actually remove finite portions of the material, reducing the overall of the silver investment.

If you are into buying silver and are adding to your collection from online sources, keep the original packaging that cradled the silver bars during shipping. Of course all silver bullion bought online or otherwise should be inspected and received, but after that it is best to wrap it up (if you do not want a patina, protect your silver investment from oxygen) and forget about it.

Most importantly forget about it. Seriously, after making one note of where the silver bars are stored it is so you never forget, do not talk about your silver investment. Silver prices have the potential of increasing over time. The more people know about your silver coins, the more hands may try to skim the pot.

Gold Coins: What’s Their Worth and Should I Buy Some?

Given the current state of the U.S. economy, the fiscal instability around the globe, and the uncertainty and fear that seems to be hanging over all of us, it’s really not all that surprising that people are worried about their personal finances and their financial futures. Many financial advisors are encouraging their clients to invest in precious metals, including gold. One option is to purchase gold coins.

There are, generally speaking, two types of gold coins: gold coins for collectors and gold coins for investors. Because we’re talking about financial matters, I’m going to concentrate on those gold coins purchased for investment purposes. Gold coins that are pure bullion – either .999 pure gold or .9999 pure gold are the best investment. Their worth is not in their rarity or condition – unlike collectable gold coins – but in the metal that they contain.

Many mints from around the world, including the U.S. Mint and the Royal Canadian Mint, produce gold coins specifically for investment purposes. The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coin – the Canadian gold bullion coin – is available in five weights, according to the Royal Canadian Mint’s site.

In America, the U.S. Mint sells the American Gold Eagle coins, which are available in four weights: 1/10 of an ounce, 1/4 of an ounce, 1/2 of an ounce, and 1 ounce. While these gold coins have a face value, their real worth is in the gold they are produced from. Additionally, the American Gold Eagle coins are accepted for inclusion in gold Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).

Other gold coins that investors should consider include:

· South African Kugerrands

· Australian Kangaroos

· Austrian Philharmonics

The worth of bullion gold coins is determined by the price of gold on a given day, as well as a small mark-up for transportation, storage, and overhead costs. Therefore, the price may fluctuate a bit depending on the precious metals market and the company that you are purchasing the gold coins from.

Most savvy investors know that they will get the best price on gold coins by shopping online. One precious metals company to consider is Merit Gold: they have extremely low mark-up on their gold coins and have been in business since 1986.

Do your own research, of course, before buying gold coins, but do think about purchasing some for investment purposes. In today’s world, buying gold makes sense.

Gold Bullion Buying Guide

Gold is an organic chemical element and valuable precious metal. Gold is beautiful and is used in a number of industries as gold bullion (the bulk form of the precious metal) can be smelted and forged into items including gold coins, jewelry, food embellishments and electrical wiring. Since gold bullion is constantly in demand, supply is a major factor that drives the price point and has helped elevate the metal to investor status. Consumers looking to diversify their investment strategy to include gold bullion are wise to know what they are getting into by reviewing a gold bullion buying guide as in the precious metal industry, sometimes what glitters is actually fool’s gold.

Gold Dealers, Brokers and Traders, Oh My

Even the most naive investor knows that gold is hot. However, with some many business trying to get in on the action, it is hard to find a good gold merchant. That is why individuals looking to buy gold solely for investment purposes need a trusted seller. Gold dealers, gold sellers and gold brokers sell gold bullion or gold ingots directly to the public.

When it comes time to locate a gold dealer, gold broker or gold trader for gold bullion buying, individuals need to proactively research a business to deal with. It is important to note that gold dealers will not call consumers to solicit business and reputable gold bullion sellers will have a stellar online reputation.

About Gold Bullion

Gold comes in many forms, but for investment purposes, gold bullion is an excellent portfolio diversification options as gold bullion is gold sold in bulk. Individuals looking to get involved with gold bullion buying should know that authentic gold bullion will be sold by a reputable dealer, be composed of .9999-fine gold (or 99.99 percent pure gold), feature a mint hallmark and will clearly be marked for weight and purity.

Various gold ingots are sold directly to consumers but despite the large variety of options, American Gold Eagles, Canadian Maple Leaf Gold Coins and the Krugerrand coin are hugely popular options.

Gold Bullion Buying Budget

Gold is extremely costly and even the smallest gold trinket has value. Throughout history the price for gold has grown to cost up to $1,900 per 1 oz gold. Individuals need to first familiarize themselves with current gold pricing as well as gold bullion sizing options as the bigger the gold bullion buying option, the larger the price tag associated with ownership.

Gold bullion buying options range from bullion with price tags under $200 to kilo bars costing tens of thousands of dollars. Investors must take a look at their portfolios to see how much money they can afford to invest in the gold bullion buying process as once a gold bullion purchase is made, it will be harder to liquidation the gold bullion asset.

Ready, Set, Go. Buy Gold Bars

In a world with one financial crisis dovetailing into another, it's difficult for investors to know what's real, what's not, and more importantly, exactly what they should do. With the euro crisis, the debt ceiling and now the sequester, some investors imagine a monetary races that proposes: ready, set, go - buy gold bars!

The truth is, there is no race. One should never feel caught up in the rush to buy. Such an impulse is likely to end badly. If investors are seriously considering buying gold bars, then they should do so with a fair degree of caution and certainly ample forethought. Like everything else in life, it pays to do one's homework. There are many very legitimate questions a potential investor can and should ask a precious metal’s dealer before entering into any agreement or making a purchase. It's important that the gold dealer be reputable, and it is equally vital that the company has been in business for a number of years. Not only does this give one the security of knowing the company is in the precious metals field for the long haul, it also signals that the staff and account executives will have a knowledge base and expertise that can only be achieved after working in the business for years. Like in many industries, there is simply no substitute for a great deal of experience – all of this information is readily available at sites like Gold Bullion news.

When you find a company that has a proven track record, that's golden. Merit Gold, one of the leading gold dealers in the country, finds that there sterling reputation is their greatest asset. It doesn't matter how good the deal may seem, the fact of the matter is, that if the company's credentials are not incredibly solid, it's completely meaningless.

Investors should also examine the leadership within a company. Obviously, the best place to look for this kind of insight is at the top. If the person running the show is known and respected in the field, that's a huge plus that should help drive an investor’s decision. If on the other hand, the head of the company has only a fair reputation and is relatively unknown, most would consider that a major red flag. So in a way, it's not unlike judging someone's character, except in this case, the investor is judging the character of the company.

Once the hysteria of the current economic climate dies down, it'll be easier for investors to keep their bearings and make intelligent, balanced decisions. But for those who have been around long enough to see the cyclical nature of the economy, there's no need to wait to become calm, cool and collected. Those with the tremendous benefit of acquiring years of experience are much less likely to get swept up by feverish emotions. Seasoned investors will often say “it's just business". It's a simple statement, but one that resonates volumes to those who have seen the young trader fall victim to the mayhem of whatever the current crisis may be.


http://bullionsupermarket.com/Market/News
http://bullionsupermarket.com/GOLD/News
http://www.coinnews.net/tools/live-silver-gold-platinum-spots/

Where Can I Buy a Bullion Bar?

New investors interested in gold often wonder "Where can I buy a bullion bar?" In fact, buying a bullion bar is one of the safest and easiest ways to buy gold.  The bullion bar is always sold by weight.  The general rule for investors is, to buy the biggest single bar you can, this is because productions costs are added.  A lot of little bars will cost you more than a single bullion bar - even if they add up to the same weight.

Purity is an issue, different parts of the world have different purity standards.  Make sure you are aware of the purity of the bar you are considering.  In the United States, the gold bar limit is typically 10 oz..  The smallest gold bar offered is typically 1/2 oz..

In Europe, they are starting to offer credit card sized gold bars.  Some of these are even sold through vending machines and have little separations to break pieces off as gifts.

With the explosion of gold prices over the last decade it is extremely important that you buy from a reputable dealer.  Look for a dealer with a long term reputation in buying and selling gold.  Make sure they have good customer service and an upstanding reputation in the community.  There are many new dealers springing up trying to take advantage of new investors.  They may not be completely straightforward in matters of purity and weight.  A good dealer will offer you an absolute guarantee of purity and weight and will be completely honest about where the bars were produced.

When you buy from a certified gold seller, you are starting a relationship.  You probably want the option of selling back to the dealer at a future date.  Make sure that the company you buy from will be in business when it is time for you to sell.

Experts Say Buy Silver Now

It’s an exciting time for those wanting to buy silver now.  The US Mint will release thirteen silver coins or silver set products in 2012.  The 2013-P Proof American Eagle Silver Coin will make its long awaited debut on January 4, 2012.  Appearing three months earlier this year, it is anticipated to be the silver market’s most popular product of the year.

The US Mint is also enticing those who are looking to buy silver now, with what they are calling The American Eagle West Point Two-Coin Silver Set.  The name may change  but it looks like it will have a West Point struck 2013-W Reverse Proof American Eagle Silver Coin and a West Point uncirculated American Eagle Silver Coin.

Customer interest is high for those looking to buy silver now and is inspired by the US Mint which is promoting the entire year’s scheduled releases, rather than a monthly surprise roll-out.

Silver coins continued to be the leading sellers in 2012.  The 2012 Silver Proof Sets sold 383,693 since their June 4th release.

The 2012-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagle coins sold 3,976 and the 2012 Limited Edition Silver Proof Sets sold 2,583.  Silver Eagles rose to 179,181 and the limited sets are at 26,937.

Looking ahead to 2012, the US Mint announced they will sell commemorative silver dollars to recognize the 75th anniversary of the March of Dimes Foundation.  Designs will be presented to the Citizen’s Coinage Advisory Committee for review.  Then, the Secretary of the Treasury will select the final design after consulting with the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and the March of Dimes.

The following year, Mark Twain commemorative silver dollars and five dollar gold coins will be released.  Mark Twain is the pen name of author Samuel Clemens who is best know for his novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and the sequel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Should I Buy Silver and Gold for an Investment?

For much of human history, we have valued precious metals, especially silver and gold. In today’s world, we not only appreciate the unique beauty of these metals, and use them in our jewelry and to adorn ourselves, but we also buy silver and gold for investment purposes.

Making the decision to buy silver and gold, when one is looking at the purchase as an investment, is a wise call to make. Readily available in bullion form, including bars and coins, when you buy silver and gold, you are buying a tangible investment that will pay-off in the long run.

According to most investment advisors, it is essential that everyone’s investment portfolio be well-diversified, which means including at least 15 to 20% precious metals in the composition. This is should be reason enough for you to consider buying silver and gold. Another good reason to buy silver and gold is that these metals are easily converted into cash, should that need arise. Even better, their worth is fairly stable, meaning that your money will be safe, instead of buying additional stocks whose values can plummet on the slightest market rumor of poor sales or potential earnings forecasts.

The demand for precious metals is ever-increasing in the global marketplace, with both economic powerhouses of China and India gobbling up much of the silver and gold on the market. In the U.S., the technology and manufacturing sectors are also large consumers of silver and gold and that demand is forecasted to continue to grow. Now is the time to buy silver and gold, because your metals are going to increase in worth as the world demands more of these increasingly-scarce precious metals.

According to an article on Resource Investor (http://www.resourceinvestor.com/2013/01/11/2013-gold-silver-outlook?t=precious-metals), looking at the interest rates in the U.S., and assuming – as many do – that they are going to continue to climb, “…then that would be even more bullish for precious metals and bearish for conventional assets like bonds and stocks.” For the savvy investor, putting money into precious metals, making a buy of silver and gold, is an excellent call.

When you do decide to buy silver and gold, do your own research, look at the various types and weights of these metals available, familiarize yourself with the market and pricing, and make an intelligent decision.

Should you buy silver and gold as an investment? Only you can make that ultimate decision; however, I think it’s a good bet that it’s an excellent choice that will strengthen your portfolio and pay-off in the long run.

Should I Buy Silver Dollar Coins?

My love of silver dollar coins started when I was little: when I’d lose a tooth, the tooth fairy would bring me a silver dollar. And that’s where my collection of silver dollar coins began. Now I’m older and the tooth fairy doesn’t bring me coins any more – of course, I’m not losing teeth, either, so maybe that’s a good thing. But I’ve been thinking about that childhood passion and wondering: should I buy silver dollar coins? And if I should, why?

I started my research at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollar_coin_(United_States)) learning about the history of silver dollar coins. And I did learn a lot, but what I gathered was that it’s only the old silver dollars that are worth any money, and then that’s basically for collectors, who are looking at the rarity of the coin and the condition, not really the silver in the coin, itself. So part of the answer to my question about buying silver dollar coins is that it depends on why I’m buying them.

Next I went to Silver Coins Today (http://www.silvercoinstoday.com) and read about the current silver dollar coins being minted in the U.S. In 2012, the U.S. Mint produced two types of silver dollars for collectors: the Star-Spangled Banner Silver Dollars and the Infantry Soldier Silver Dollars. Also, the Mint produces four silver dollar coins each year that have four different presidents on them. All of these are sought by coin collectors, which helps me to answer the issue of whether I should buy silver dollar coins with the conclusion that if I’m interested in building-up a collection, then I definitely should.

Also at Silver Coins Today, I was able to research some of the silver dollar coins that I’d received as a child, including the Peace Dollars and the Morgan Dollars. Those, apparently, are worth some money to collectors, which is good to know, should I ever decide to part with them.

I think that I am going to add to my collection of silver dollar coins, because I like the idea of having a collection that spans my lifetime; and should I ever need to sell them, there are collectors avidly seeking at least some of what I already own. 

So my conclusion to the question of should I buy silver dollar coins is an unqualified yes. Now I just need to decide which ones I will buy and how many I will purchase. I’m going to have fun doing more research and gradually building-up my silver dollar coins collection.

I’m Thinking About Buying Some Gold Bullion Bars

I’ve been thinking about buying some gold bullion bars for a while, now. Gold is a good investment, right? And I already have some gold bullion coins. Now I have enough money saved up to actually buy the bars – those lovely, dense, stackable gold bullion bars that are 99.9% pure gold.

According to the investment experts that I’ve been reading – like Bullion Supermarket  – gold bullion bars are a good investment right now, while our financial future in the U.S. is a mess and countries elsewhere, like in Europe, are having money troubles of their own. And then there’s all of that political instability all over the world – every time I turn on the news it seems like there’s fighting and wars. That’s scary, too.

But gold – specifically gold bullion bars – are a good investment and will protect me and my family against that kind of instability. Gold maintains its value, even when paper money does not. And that’s important because everyone knows that we’re headed for a recession.

If something horrible were to happen, I’d have my gold bullion bars and they would allow me to get through the rough times. After all, gold is the ultimate form of monetary wealth, recognized, desired, and accepted all over the world. The gold bullion bars I am buying now could be converted into cash, should it ever come to that.

More optimistically speaking, though, the gold bullion bars I’m going to buy are for my retirement. Better than stocks, which go up and down so often, fluctuating over the silliest little things, gold is stable and is projected to remain stable in the future.

I could even sell a bar or two to help my kids get through college or in case of some sort of family emergency. These gold bullion bars are going to be there for us when we need them, and they really are a great investment for the future.

As for where I’m going to be buying my gold bullion bars, I’ve been doing a lot of online research – looking at prices, availability, customer service, shipping costs, and shipping policies – and while there are a lot of companies to choose from, I’ve decided to go with Merit Gold. Overall, I really like their pricing / mark-up and shipping options, and their customer service reps know their stuff and didn’t try to strong-arm me into buying stuff that I didn’t want. So Merit Gold is my choice for buying gold bullion bars.