Buying Gold & Silver
What to buy, what it should cost, and how to avoid the common traps when buying physical metal.
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Red flags when buying gold: how precious metals scams work
The warning signs regulators see again and again: cold calls, fear-based pitches, huge markups on ‘rare’ coins, IRA rollover pressure and fake storage.
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Silver coins and bars: what to buy, what it costs and the trade-offs
Silver Eagles, Maple Leafs, bars and pre-1965 “junk” silver compared, with premiums, storage, taxes, IRA rules and how the silver price behaves.
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Proof coins vs. bullion coins: what you’re paying for
What makes a coin a proof, how much more proofs cost than bullion, what labels like ‘70’ and ‘First Strike’ mean, and when a proof makes sense.
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Buying platinum: coins, bars, prices and what drives the market
How to buy platinum coins and bars, why supply depends so heavily on South Africa, what drives demand and prices, and how platinum fits in an IRA.
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Buying palladium: what it’s used for, how the price behaves and how to own it
Palladium depends on gasoline-car catalysts and on Russian and South African mines. How to buy coins and bars, its price history, the risks and IRA rules.
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What gold really costs: spot price, premiums, spreads and fees
The spot price is only part of what you pay for gold. How premiums, buy-sell spreads, payment fees, sales tax, storage and taxes add up, with examples.
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Buying gold coins: which coins to choose, what to pay and where to buy
A buyer’s guide to gold bullion coins: the main coins compared, sizes and premiums, IRA rules, where to buy, and the mistakes that cost the most.
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Gold bars: sizes, brands, premiums and how to buy and sell them
How gold bars are made and sized, what 1 oz bars cost compared with coins, which bars can go in an IRA, and how to avoid fakes when you buy.
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The spot price of gold: what it means and how often it changes
What the gold spot price is, where it comes from, why it changes almost around the clock on weekdays, and why you can’t buy coins or bars at spot.
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How to buy gold locally: finding a coin shop you can trust
Where to buy gold in person, how to check a local dealer, what you will pay, cash reporting rules, and when buying online is the better deal.
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Gold coins or gold bars: which should you buy?
Coins and bars compared on cost per ounce, resale, flexibility, fakes, IRA rules and tax reporting, with a simple way to decide which suits you.