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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Gold and silver premiums: what big online dealers charge over spot
In September 2026, we priced six popular gold and silver products at three big online dealers. Gold cost 3% to 6% over spot; Silver Eagles cost 15% to 26%.
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Buying gold at Costco: how it works, what it costs and the catches
Costco sells gold bars and coins online to members. We cover what it sells, how its prices compare with dealers, the purchase limits and the catches.
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Junk silver: what it is, how much silver it holds and how it’s priced
Pre-1965 U.S. dimes, quarters and half dollars are 90% silver. Our guide covers how much silver they hold, how they’re priced and the pros and cons.
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How to sell gold and silver for a fair price
Where to sell gold and silver coins, bars and jewelry, how buyers work out their offers, and how to check an offer is fair before you hand anything over.
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How to tell if gold is real: the tests that work and their limits
Markings, magnets, weight and density checks explained, what each one can and can’t catch, and why gold-plated tungsten needs a dealer’s equipment to spot.
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How to store gold and silver: home safes, bank boxes and vaults
The three places to keep gold and silver you own, what each one costs, how to insure the metal, and the storage rules for gold held in an IRA.
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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.