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58 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 guideEvery 1892-1964 quarter holds 0.1808 oz of silver, about $11.83 at today's spot. Values by grade, key dates like the 1932-D, and what dealers really pay.
Read guideThere are 40 quarters in a roll ($10). See roll counts and weights for every U.S. coin, box and bag sizes, what to hunt for, and what a silver roll is worth.
Read guideA war nickel holds 0.05626 oz of silver, about $3.68 at $65.39 spot. Values by date and grade for all 11 issues, the key varieties, and what dealers pay.
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.
Discover how silver is mined, from traditional underground lode mining to modern open-pit operations, and learn why most silver is extracted as a byproduct of mining other metals.
Read guideDiscover what pennies are made of and how the composition of the U.S. one-cent coin has evolved over time, from its original pure copper to today's copper-plated zinc.
Read guideDiscover where platinum is mined around the world, from the dominant Bushveld Complex in South Africa to significant operations in Russia and North America, and understand why its supply is so concentrated.
Read guideExplore the science behind precious metals; learn why the unique chemical properties and cosmic rarity of gold, silver, and platinum make them intrinsically valuable.
Read guideLearn how to test for real platinum at home using simple, non-destructive methods like the magnet test and checking for official hallmarks, helping you distinguish it from look-alike metals.
Read guideDiscover why platinum, one of the noblest metals, does not tarnish and learn the difference between corrosion and the natural patina that develops on platinum over time.
Read guideLearn why silver tarnishes and discover the best methods for preventing tarnish on your silver coins and bullion, including proper storage with desiccants and the use of inert materials.
Read guideDiscover where gold is mined around the world, from top-producing countries like China and Australia to the major gold regions in the United States like Nevada, and learn about the different methods used to extract it.
Read guideDiscover the intricate art and science behind how gold coins are made, from the initial design and die creation to the high-pressure striking process that creates a beautiful and valuable investment.
Read guideDiscover how gold is formed, not on Earth, but in the cosmos through cataclysmic events like neutron star collisions, and learn how this stellar origin makes it one of the rarest elements on our planet.
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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