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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.
Explore the critical differences between bullion coins and collectible (numismatic) coins, understanding how one is valued for its raw metal content while the other is prized for rarity and condition.
Read guideWhat is gold bullion? Explore this guide to understand gold bullion's forms, including coins and bars, and learn why its value is determined by its purity, weight, and the live market spot price.
Read guideDiscover what silver bullion is, the different forms it takes, like coins, bars, and rounds, and why its value is tied directly to its silver content and the live spot price.
Read guideUnderstand the key differences between buying and selling bullion versus numismatic coins, from what drives their value to the strategies used for acquiring and liquidating each asset type.
Read guideDiscover 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 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 guideUnderstand the crucial difference between sovereign mints and private mints, and learn how their respective roles, products, and legal tender status impact the precious metals market.
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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