What is a Troy Ounce?

First-time precious metals buyers are often confused by the difference between a troy ounce (ozt) and a “regular” ounce, especially when their 100 oz silver bar actually weighs 6.85 lbs on the scale instead of 6.25 lbs. Did they receive more silver than they paid for? The answer lies in an antiquated system of measurement still used today for precious metals known as troy weights. (more…)

How much is gold worth? Under normal circumstances most of us don’t dwell on how a product we pick up on a store shelf came to get its price. If we take a few moments to contemplate the raw materials, labor and transportation costs needed for that product to reach us, not to mention the retailer’s markup, it is clear that the price assigned to a given product is the result of a series of complex yet logical forces involving various actors and transactions throughout the supply chain. Is the price of gold any different? (more…)

The term “junk silver coins” can be very misleading to anyone not familiar with the bullion industry. After all, how could a bag of “junk” cost thousands of dollars? It is only when we discover the nature of the contents of the bag that we realize that junk silver coins are anything but junk. (more…)

Investing in Silver? Decide What’s the right Silver Investment

Silver is a versatile precious metal offering myriad uses and investment opportunities. As an element, it is much more abundant in nature than gold and therefore is significantly more affordable per ounce than gold. (more…)

A common misconception among gold buyers is that gold dealers make money when the price of gold increases, and subsequently lose money when the price of gold decreases. Generally speaking, nothing could be further from the truth. (more…)

Smart investors know that buying gold and silver makes sense. These and other precious metals can help diversify an investor’s holdings, offsets risks in other assets, generate income and more. (more…)