GETTING STARTED … Understanding the Markets and Products
Just as with traditional investments, such as Stocks and Bonds, Mutual Funds, and Money Market and Savings accounts, the trading in Precious Metals is relatively easy and similar type of transaction. A trade can be placed in person at your local Precious Metals brokerage or by a phone call, faxed trade order, or via the Internet which currently lists a multitude of sites and web pages offering up to the minute pricing to the consumer. As with any transaction you make, whether stocks, bonds, real estate, or precious metals, your primary concerns should be: (1) knowing who you are dealing with; (2) what your total costs will be for the products you are buying (or selling); and (3) what the settlement terms for your trade will be. Every precious metals dealer operates under different procedures, just as do most stock brokerages, banks, and realtors, so understanding the terms and procedures of the precious metals broker you chose is of great importance to you as a customer. You’ll need to ask the why, what, when, where and how questions to familiarize yourself with the terms and policies of the dealer you contact, the actual products you are seeking to buy or sell, and the qualifications and knowledge of the broker with whom you are dealing. Let’s take a look at the process, whether this is your first venture into the world of Precious Metals or you’ve been buying or selling for years…
WHY OWN PRECIOUS METALS?
WHY do people buy Precious Metals?? WHY should you own Precious Metals?? The many reasons are as varied as people's preferences for certain types of cars, or clothes, or the choice of careers they pursue. Some people buy gold and silver or platinum or palladium simply for their intrinsic value, that is, their storehouse of value as a 'precious' metal. To them it's a convenient way to "save" in a form other than the traditional investments or bank savings accounts. They either expect the value of their coins or bars to remain relatively stable in good economies or to increase in value in declining or inflationary times or periods of currency instability. Likewise, others view the purchase of precious metals as a sort of 'insurance policy' against a possible economic collapse or decline in the value of their other more traditional investments such as stocks, bonds, or real estate. Still others buy because they like the liquidity and portability of their precious metals holdings; currently $100,000 worth of gold can be carried in a cigar box and held without formal titles or registry or any reporting to local, state, or national agencies. Privacy, liquidity, and portability are all attractive reasons for many buyers of precious metals.
WHERE CAN ONE BUY PRECIOUS METALS?
WHERE can one buy Precious Metals? Within the United States, most gold, silver, and platinum group metals trading is handled by Precious Metals brokerages and coin shops, such as Rare Coin Galleries. In Canada and Europe and many parts of Asia, nationalized and private banking institutions also provide regular buy / sell markets, though this is not the case here within our banking system. The United States Mint's products such as the Gold, Silver, and Platinum American Eagle coins are made available to a select group of larger brokerages as 'primary distributors' for the many smaller shops and brokerages in each area of the country. The same wholesalers also distribute most of the other available coin and bar products such as the gold Krugerrands, Maple Leafs, Credit Suisse Bars, etc. As a local 'market maker' for most precious metals products, Rare Coin Galleries offers a wide variety of various gold, silver, and platinum group coins and bars in sizes and quantities to fit anyone's budget. If we don't have what you're seeking immediately in our inventory, we can find it for you within a few days through our vast network of suppliers. While there are a number of other coin shops and dealers in our area, we constantly strive to maintain competitive prices and prompt service for our clients, and we will always try to 'meet or beat' any legitimate price quotation you may get from one of our competitors, whether you're buying or selling.
WHAT PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE?
WHAT are your choices among Precious Metals? WHAT should you consider buying? There's no single answer for each individual's needs, wants, or choices when it comes to the Precious Metals markets! The variety of offerings is almost overwhelming to the first- time buyer, often adding to one's confusions of this market. Likewise, the choice of WHAT you should consider buying is as varied as your interests, expectations, and your budget. However, there is something for everyone when it comes to the Precious Metals, once you've established your needs or purposes in buying. Whether you're seeking a single small Silver or Gold coin or your interest lies in buying a large quantity of Gold or Platinum, we can make recommendations or supply the products you are seeking.
Gold Products