Gold as an investment
Of all the precious metals, gold is the most popular as an investment. Investors generally buy gold as a hedge or safe haven against any economic, political, social, or fiat currency crises (including investment market declines, burgeoning national debt, currency failure, inflation, war and social unrest). The gold market is also subject to speculation as other commodities are, especially through the use of futures contracts and derivatives. The history of the gold standard, the role of gold reserves in central banking, gold’s low correlation with other commodity prices, and its pricing in relation to fiat currencies during the financial crisis of 2007–2010, suggest that gold has features of being money.
The precious metals markets have been on a tear. In fact, precious metals have been the top performing asset class in recent years and with this trend looking likely to continue, many investors want exposure to these markets. But how does one go about making a precious metal investment that safely affords the investor with such exposure?
To be sure, there are numerous precious metal investment vehicles available to the individual investor today – including futures and options contracts, government certificates, digital gold, exchange traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, mining shares, as well as direct ownership of physical bullion itself. All enable an investor to add a precious metals component to his/her investment portfolio and participate in what is likely to become another multi-year secular market.
However, each of these vehicles is unique in its nature and complexity, and investing in them requires a specific understanding of their individual advantages/disadvantages and risks/rewards. This article provides an in-depth discussion about what is perhaps the easiest and most convenient way for individuals to acquire and directly own physical gold, silver, and platinum– by investing in precious metal products known as Bullion Coins.
Bullion coins are highly refined precious metal products that are round in shape (as opposed the rectangular shape of a bullion bar), and produced to exacting specifications by numerous federal governments throughout the world specifically for investment purposes. These coins are produced in large quantities and come in a variety of sizes — typically one, one-half, one-quarter, and one-tenth troy ounces. Their content – that is, the weight and purity of precious metal they contain — are guaranteed by the governments that produce them. They also are ascribed legal tender status in their country of origin, but are actually valued in the market for their precious metals content.
