Investing in the future requires foresight, and precious metals have been recognized as a store of value since the beginning of time. Today’s financial markets are characterized best by unilateral chaos, and the utilitarian aspect of gold, silver, platinum and palladium has endeared them to investors for decades. Current precious metal prices have continually risen over the last few years in response to uncertainty in the housing and finance markets. In addition, precious metals are highly liquid and are easily transported from one location to another.
Gold has traditionally been one of the most valued precious metals, and the metal is incredibly rare adding to its use and investment value. Silver is another ideal choice for investors, and its wide range of industrial applications ensures that values will remain high for some time in the future. While gold and silver have traditionally been associated with precious metal investors, platinum and palladium are other choices that face modern investors. Choosing the right precious metal to protect wealth depends on an individual’s risk and reward approach, and consulting a professional numismatic firm, empowers investors by giving them access to the timeless beauty of gold, silver, platinum and palladium in convenient amounts that are certified for weight and purity by the world’s leading governments. Investing for the highest returns requires assistance, and choosing a reliable firm that has earned a reputation in the industry by facilitating all types of trades is integral to financial success in volatile markets.
Gold
Gold has been the traditional choice of precious metal investors, and the current market offers buyers a range of financial benefits. Since there is a limited amount of gold in the world, the material is rare. This feature means that increased global demand will cause prices to rise for several years into the future. Gold is currently priced in the $1,600 per ounce area, and this value is the result of continual increases over the past several decades.
Buying gold has long been one of the best ways to save wealth and enhance purchasing power. The metal is a unique investment, and it offers much more than value. Because investors have a range of choices for their purchase, they can enjoy the mystery of gold without incurring financial losses. In addition, gold is an incredibly durable way to save money. Unlike paper money, gold is sturdy and never wears out. The product is also accepted around the world, so shoppers never worry about paying exchange fees when cashing in their securities.
Modern technology makes it easy to purchase gold and offers investors a wide range of options that are tailored to the smallest or largest buyer. Gold bars are one choice and come in a standard purity and size. Because gold bullion bars are certified and hallmarked, there is little risk associated with a purchase. Since the product is a tangible asset, it also serves as a hedge against deflation, inflation and world economic uncertainty.
While many investors purchase their gold bullion in bar form, a number of coins are minted by national governments around the world. The American Eagle is one of the most popular choices and is certified by the country’s government for purity and weight. Canadian Maple Leafs are another choice for buyers who want a pre-determined weight in an easy-to-carry form. Finishing up the major gold coin products is the South African Krugerrand. Consumers have all these options and more when they deal with a reputable dealer that has spent years in the industry.
Silver
Silver is another precious metal that offers investors a tangible way to store their wealth. Silver bullion has long been a primary monetary metal, and its low initial price makes it a viable alternative for gold buyers. Industrial demand is another feature that affects silver prices. Because the metal is essential, the product has a utilitarian value that complements its bullion value. The precious metal also has a wide range of unique properties and is a great choice for thermal conductivity problems. In addition, silver is essential in health care and possesses antibacterial characteristics. Many hospitals utilize the silver bullet to reduce infections in burn victims.
Because estimates suggest that more than 95 percent of all silver mined throughout history has been consumed for industrial applications, minimal supply ensures demand will continue to increase. Bullion buyers have a range of choices when they want to purchase silver as an investment vehicle. Bars are an ideal choice and come in .999 fine silver. Smaller buyers can take advantage of bars that are hallmarked for purity and weight, and the product may vary by up to 10 percent in either direction. This means that a buyer may actually increase their wealth simply by making a purchase. Since supply and demand affect global silver prices, time is of the essence. In fact, there may never be a better time to purchase investment silver than right now.
While many buyers rely on bullion bars to store their wealth, a range of silver coins are available from world-renowned mints. Coins offer a range of benefits over bars, and they are much easier to store and transfer from one person to another. Because the value of silver is often based on weight, it makes a secure form of investing that has been valued for centuries.
Platinum
In addition to silver and gold, platinum is quickly earning a stellar reputation as a precious metal of reckoning. Only a few hundred years ago, the material had little value and was mostly used in high-end jewelry. As a matter of fact, the Spanish Conquistadores thought the metal was a nuisance because it interfered with their gold-mining operations. The Russian government was the first to recognize the value of platinum as a monetary store, and the precious metal quickly earned a reputation around the world. Now, the metal also has a number of industrial usages and is essential for vehicle exhaust systems. Because the metal acts as a catalyst, it reduces environmental pollution and is essential in the prevention of global warming.
Purchasing platinum from a reliable brokerage house is essential, and professional firms offer their clients a range of options. Bars are an ideal way to transport and safe keep platinum, and consumers can choose 10-ounce units that are certified for storage, personal delivery or trading. The products are made by a leading refiner and hallmarked for weight and purity. While many investors choose bars as their investment of choice, others take advantage of the coins that are minted by the American and Canadian governments. The American Eagles and Canadian Maple Leafs are an ideal way to store wealth, and each coin is certified as an assurance to buyers.
Palladium
Because industrial supply is an essential component of true value, palladium is an ideal investment vehicle. The material is often used as an industrial catalyst and is integral in catalytic converters. In addition, palladium has important uses in the jewelry industry and is one of the most used metals in the white gold industry. Medical and dental uses also improve demand and ensure higher values for years into the future. The price of palladium has recently reached a record high as a result of global supply chain uncertainties. Since there is a huge chance that prices could be extremely volatile in the future, buyers have an ideal way to risk a small segment of their portfolio and achieve impressive rewards.
Palladium purchasers have two main choices for their investment. Bars are one option and give a reliable and certified way to store and transport wealth. The modern market offers buyers a number of opportunities for their palladium purchase, and bars are marked for their purity and weight. Palladium bullion bars are offered in 10-ounce increments, so buyers have a reliable way to store a small portion of their portfolio. Canadian Maple Leaf palladium coins have been continually minted since 2005, and the Royal Canadian Mint is the world’s leading distributor. The coins are available in one-ounce increments, so they are a great option for buyers who want to accept personal delivery of their product. A portrait of Queen Elizabeth is feature prominently on the obverse, and the traditional Canadian Maple Leaf is located on the reverse.
Storing wealth and preserving it for future generations is an essential issue in the modern world. Because precious metals have been used since antiquity, they offer buyers a reliable way to protect their investments and ensure they are safeguarded for the future. In addition to stored value, most metals have several industrial applications that boost their utility value. This ensures that future demand will continue to affect prices and drive returns up.
Gold has lured buyers since the start of time, and investors can choose coins that are minted and certified for weight and purity by the world’s leading governments. While many buyers recognize the timeless value of gold, palladium and platinum are other precious metals that are highly prized for their applications in the automotive industry. Silver rounds out the precious metal investing spectrum and has an incredibly low market-entry price that is perfect for beginning investors.