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64 guides on precious metals and numismatics — how they're priced, how they're made, what makes a coin worth more than its metal, and how to buy without overpaying.
What is a troy ounce? Learn the crucial difference between a troy ounce and a standard ounce, and why this universal unit of measurement is the foundation of trust in the global gold, silver, and platinum markets.
Read guideLearn about bullion coins, rounds, and bars made from precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum, and understand why their value is tied directly to their weight and purity.
Read guideTrace the history of gold prices from the fixed rate of the Gold Standard to the free-floating market of today, and understand why events like the Nixon Shock made gold a premier safe-haven asset.
Read guideHow to test gold at home step by step: hallmark, magnet, density, ceramic streak and acid kit, what each proves, and why toothpaste and vinegar tests fail.
Read guideCostco 1 oz gold bars from PAMP and Rand Refinery: price versus spot today, the per-membership limit, Executive rewards, and what the bars are worth when you sell.
Read guideWhat Costco silver costs versus spot: Kirkland Signature 1 oz bars, 10 oz bars and coin tubes, membership limits, and what the bars are worth when you sell.
Read guideGrade-by-grade price estimates for 174 classic US key dates, each sourced from a named numismatic reference — up to $1,714,917 for the finest known example.
Most $1 silver certificates are worth $1.50 to $3; rare 1928, 1933, Hawaii and 1896 notes reach thousands. Values by series, grade and star note.
Read guideExplore how coins have served as more than just money throughout history, acting as tools for propaganda, historical records, and expressions of art and culture.
Read guideExplore the history and function of the United States Mint, from its founding in 1792 to its modern role in producing the nation's currency, bullion coins, and commemorative medals.
Read guideExplore the practical and historical reasons why coins are round, from ease of manufacturing and use in vending machines to the prevention of counterfeiting and the tradition established by ancient civilizations.
Read guideUnderstand the key differences between die-struck and die-cast coins, the two primary methods of coin manufacturing, and learn why die-striking is the standard for quality, detail, and authenticity in precious metals
Read guideExplore the comprehensive history of United States coinage, from the first copper Fugio Cents of 1787 to modern cupronickel coins, and learn how historical events shaped their design and composition
Read guideUncover the rich history of the Philadelphia Mint, the first U.S. Mint established by the Coinage Act of 1792, and learn how it shaped the course of American currency from its early days to the present.
Read guideLearn about the history of palladium prices, from its discovery to its recent record highs driven by the automotive industry, and understand the supply and demand factors that make it a uniquely volatile precious metal.
Read guideSilver price history explained: how silver was priced as money, the 1980 Hunt brothers squeeze, the 2011 peak near $50, the 2024 to 2026 rally, and what drives the price now.
Read guidePut the guides into practice -- melt values, ratios, and allocations against live spot prices.
Face value in pre-1965 dimes, quarters, or half dollars -> melt value at the live silver spot price.
Weight and purity, or a common coin preset, -> live melt value at the current gold spot price.
Weight and purity, or a common coin preset, -> live melt value at the current silver spot price.
Jewelry weight and karat -> melt value of the actual gold content. For gold that isn't bullion.
Today's ratio, what's historically normal, and what it suggests for your next purchase.
The age-in-ounces rule and the 10-15% metals envelope, run against your own numbers.
Specs and live melt value for common bullion coins, plus historic pre-1965 U.S. silver coinage.
What a past gold or silver purchase would be worth today, from our own recorded price history.
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