Which is the better choice for you, gold coins or bars? Your choice will largely be guided by these considerations:

If your intent is profit, gold bars may be a wise choice for you. If your plan is for an investment you intend to keep for a long time, even longer, pass it on to your children, gold coins are the suitable choice for you.

A gold coin’s value improves through the years as the elements of age, market demand and, possibly, rarity come into play. On the other hand, age is a non-factor with gold bars. A 24-karat gold bar manufactured 100 years ago costs no more than another 24-karat gold bar manufactured only yesterday. This is so because gold bars are rated for their gold content, nothing more. Its value, therefore, depends on the price of gold prevailing at the time is bought or sold.

Of course, these are not the only factors that are likely to influence your choice.

Gold coins are produced and guaranteed by the governments that produce them. They are legal tenders. Gold bars, on the other hand, are commercially manufactured by private companies. Their equivalent of a guarantee is the assay certificate certified by a third part attesting to the quality of the gold bars.

You can take personal physical possession of your gold coins, keep them safe and secure anywhere you like, including your home. Gold bar owners find it a better option to have their gold bars stored in a depository. He gets hold of a receipt in exchange. Taking personal possession of the gold bars is inconvenient and invites some risk of getting detected because of their size and weight. Should you decide to sell the gold bars in your possession, they have to undergo another assay to test that their purity has not been tampered with.

Know more about gold coins and gold bars from experts. Contact 1-800-300-0715. CertifiedmGold Echange (CGE) carries an A+ rating, the highest possible that the Better Busibess Bureau gives. CGE also has a Zero Complaint record since its founding in 1992. Click here for your free copy of 2010 Insider’s Guide to Gold Investing.

Carl Davidson

April 2, Saturday last week marked the 218th anniversary of the passage by the US Congress on April 2, 1792 of the Mint Act providing for, among other things, the creation of the US Mint.

The first US Mint facility was put up in Philadelphia which struck the first coin of the United States, the half dime (originally spelt disme), in 1792. Only 1,500 pieces were struck as pattern coins, but not for circulation. It was the half cent and the one cent copper coins struck in 1993 that were the first to go into general circulation.

Before the founding of the US Mint, coins in circulation in the United States were coins minted by other countries.

The Mint Act specified the production of 10 coins among them America’s two most popular coins – American Gold Eagle and the American Silver Eagle minted in 1795 and 1794, respectively: Silver Half Dime $0.05, Silver Dime $0.05, Silver Dime $0.10, Silver Quarter $0.025, Silver Half Dollar $0.50, Silver Dollar $1.00, Gold Quarter Eagle $2.50, Gold Half Eagle $5.00 and Gold Eagle $10.00.

The American Gold Eagle contained 0.484 troy ounces of gold, the Gold Half Eagle, 0.242 troy ounces and the Gold Quarter Eagle 0.121 troy ounces. They were of 22 karats or 91.67% purity. The Gold Eagle coins remained in circulation until 1933, the year President Roosevelt imposed a ban on US citizens to sell, buy or own gold. The modern day gold coins appeared in 1986, two years after they were issued in commemorative form. Their gold content has been reduced to 90% purity.

The original Silver Eagle stayed in circulation until 1935. Several dollar mints were introduced prior to the introduction of the modern day Silver Eagle in 1986. The dollar coin is one troy ounce of 0,999% pure silver with a nominal value of $1. It is about 1.6 inches in diameter.

Currently there are three more federal mints in the US in addition to the original US Mint in Philadelphia.

Carl Davidson

The Austrian Mint began striking coins in 1194 and has built a reputation of unmatched quality and design almost 800 years in the making. The Austrian Philharmonic is one of the Austrian Mint’s most internationally acclaimed Gold coins. Struck in 99.99% gold the coin has twice been the number one seller worldwide, first in 1992 and then again in 1995. Collectors and investors alike are taken by the coins beauty and the mints historical lore.

The Austrian Mint in Vienna began its lifespan in a most unusual way; while other mints were started as a means of providing currency, the Austrian Mint was begun to convert a stockpile of ransom money.

During the Crusades, Richard I of England, also known as Richard the Lionhearted, embarked on a campaign to the Holy Lands with Duke Leopold V of Austria. The two found themselves at odds and compromise was never reached. Richard I attempted to travel back to England disguised as a religious pilgrim. The Austrian Duke Babenberg captured Richard I, and held the king hostage until 1193.

The Babenberg duke surrendered his prisoner to Emperor Henry VI, in exchange for 100,000 silver Cologne marks (roughly 2 billion Euros, by today’s standards). Half this treasure went to Leopold V, who used it to found the Austrian Mint and create new silver currency for Austria.

The Austrian Philharmonic gold coin was first minted in 1989. This privately held coin is struck from Gold bullion and backed by the Central Bank of Austria, the Gold coin offers a unique design that pays homage to the world famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the country’s undeniable role in classical music.

Carl Davidson

Platinum reached a two-month high at $1,641 an ounce on St. Patrick’s Day, and palladium rose on fears over power output in South Africa. South Africa is the number one provider of platinum, responsible for four-fifths of the world’s platinum output. South Africa is also the second biggest palladium producer.

South African state-run utility Eskom said on Tuesday power supply is seen as a serious concern from 2011 onwards until new power stations come on-stream.

The metals, mainly used in auto catalysts, have already risen strongly this year on expectations for rising car sales.

Elsewhere, Platinum Australia says underground mining operations were restarted at its Smokey Hills Mine in South Africa on Monday (March 8 ) following an industrial dispute.

The contractor, Redpath Mining, completed the appeal process for about 70% of employees, who were re-employed. The employees had been dismissed for participating in unprotected industrial action at the mine.

The appeal process for the balance of the workforce should be completed by the end of the week.

Platinum Australia said the crushing plant was now operating at full capacity and its milling and flotation plant has been operational since March 10th.

Axel Rudolph, a technical strategist at Commerzbank in London, said in a report yesterday. “Platinum continues to grind higher towards the $1,648/$1,662 resistance zone. Our short- and medium-term forecast has reverted to bullish now that last week’s $1,614.50 peak has been surpassed,”

If you would like more information on the unique investing opportunities in Platinum, contact one of our knowledgeable platinum experts.

Armando Cortez

Those who unexpectedly come into possession of bullion, or rare coins through inheritance, or other transactions, often times mistakenly rush into hastily turning gold coins into cash. In these trying times of worry and want, it’s understandable why many people would reflexively look to liquidate their gold for a less conspicuous, and readily expendable asset like cash, but it would be foolhardy to do so without making a few simple inquiries.

A minimal bit of Internet research should reveal the origin of the coin or coins in question, as well as the precious metal content, and approximate retail value of each coin. Depending on the physical condition of a rare gold coin for instance, the value of a rare U.S. gold coin could be worth many times that of its’ precious metal content, so it’s always wise to officially certify the value of a rare gold coin, rather than hastily turning gold coins into cash, and making someone else’s dreams of newly found wealth a reality.

Websites like www.usmint.gov, or www.pcgs.com, or ngccoin.org, are all extremely helpful websites to help gold coin holders discover the real, or potential value of his or her newly found coins. As always, individuals are responsible for any tax liabilities that may be incurred whenever turning gold coins into cash, so these individuals are strongly advised to consult his or her tax attorney, or accountant on such manners.

Investors with unanswered questions on turning their gold coins into cash are advised to contact one of our friendly specialists today.

Carl Davidson

Anyone would agree that the process of minting a gold coin since the days of a hand-held hammer and dye, or cast coin minting has advanced exponentially. Gold coin trading is now a worldwide market, and even the most modern technologies cannot keep up with global demand for modern bullion coinage. For example, the U.S. Mint located in West Point, New York, has indefinitely suspended production of one-ounce American Eagle, 22-karat bullion coins, until a substantial inventory of blanks are compiled to resume minting.

The process of minting a gold coin involves feeding a sheet of either 22, or 24-karat purity, to be fed into a round punch, which cuts appropriated thickness, and diameter rounds (or planchets). These planchets are heated to 750 degrees, and then air-cooled, and washed and dried. This process primes the coin to be fed into a press that gives the coin its’ edge, and then placed under a hydraulically-compressed dye, whereupon the coin is receives its’ design.

Proof coins undergo a more arduous process of minting a gold coin, as these coins are struck multiple times with a digitally replicated plaster dye. This process creates an effect where the coin’s designs (or elements) appear to be floating above an almost mirror-like background (or field). Ultra-high proof coins are available in 24-karat purity, and are arguably one of the most beautiful coins ever minted.

Investors are encouraged to complete their research, and then to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these, and many other gold coins to household investors like you.

Carl Davidson

First time gold coin buyers should know up front that not all PCGS gold coins are non-confiscatable, and to always be mindful of this fact when strategizing his or her bullion/rare coin diversification. There are countless numbers of deceptive gold dealers who promote their bullion coins as rarities by having them certified through either the PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), but numismatic certification doesn’t exempt modern-day bullion coins from confiscation. If our failing economy requires a second bullion confiscation (like in 1933), precedent and practicality say that only rare and unusual coins with special interest to collectors would be immune to such a government retrieval. This distinction is particularly pivotal to investors with large bullion holdings, who may want to consider converting their bullion to rare coins until this recession subsides, especially if long-term financial safety is a concern for you.

The IRS states that in order for PCGS gold coins to be considered collectable coins, the value of the coin itself must be at least fifteen percent more than the value of the gold content of that coin. This means that if the price of gold were one thousand dollars an ounce, a one-ounce gold coin must have a retail value of at least eleven hundred and fifty dollars to be considered rare, and therefore non-confiscatable.

PCGS gold coins that are modern, American Eagle $50 face value bullion coins, are one of the most commonly miss-appropriated coins, so novice buyers are warned to be leery of dealers who are pushing PCGS certification of modern-day bullion.

Investors can avoid paying outlandish retail prices for their American Eagle bullion, and certified rare gold coins by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these, and many other gold coins to household investors like you.

Carl Davidson

Those who are new to precious metals investing often beg questions like, “Are gold coin investments better than gold bar investments?” This is certainly a valid question, but the truth is that both types of physical ownership have their respective advantages, and that investors should examine their own personal financial needs to determine which gold type is optimal.

Novice investors will immediately discover that bullion bar prices are closest to the current gold spot price, and many first time buyers subsequently gravitate to bullion bar affordability. Along with being used as a short-term profit vehicle, or rare coin diversification, bullion bars are government-approved, gold-backed IRA contributions, for individuals who prefer to use bullion for long-term financial safety. (Rare coins aren’t allowed in precious metal IRAs)

Gold coin investments are more diverse investments, as gold coins exist in both modern bullion, and rare coin form. Bullion gold coin investments are only slightly more costly than bullion bars, but long-term bullion buyers are advised to be sure if their bullion coins are U.S. government-approved for IRA storage. Modern bullion coinage is minted in 22-karat, and 24-karat purity, as well as in fractional denominations, for greater affordability.

Rare gold coin investments are substantially more costly than bullion coins, but they stand to appreciate more dramatically over time, because they possess the numismatic value that bullion doesn’t have. For this reason, investors officially certify this inherit value, and pay far higher premiums for greater long-term financial safety, and potential profit.

Investors can avoid paying eye-popping retail prices for their bullion, and rare gold coin by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these items to household investors like you.

Carl Davidson

One of the reasons why rare gold coins are such popular long-term investments for financial safety is because they are deemed to be irretrievable through a second possible gold coin confiscation by our government. Such a confiscation was enacted on U.S. citizens in 1933, to back the value of our nation’s failing currency, and to support our faltering banking system. That year, President Franklin Roosevelt issued an executive order that forbade bullion bar and coin ownership by U.S. citizens, forcing them to sell their bullion back to the government for $20 an ounce. Any U.S. citizen found to be hoarding gold bullion would be susceptible to a $10 thousand fine, or ten years imprisonment, or both.

The confiscated gold was then melted into uniform bullion bars, and stored at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The price of gold was then raised to $35 an ounce, and privately held bullion remained illegal until 1971, when President Nixon removed the U.S. from the gold standard. The price of gold was then allowed to “free float” according to global demand for the metal, and such has been the case since.

Today’s economic instability has many in fear of a second possible gold coin confiscation, which is why they are limiting their bullion holdings, and purchasing either rare gold coins, or proof, and collectable coins to protect the bulk of their wealth over the long term. Such coins are deemed to be exempt from government confiscation, and investors are encouraged to contact a reputable precious metals exchange for further consultation on non-confiscatable gold coins.

Carl Davidson

Certified gold coin prices have slumbered for most of 2010, but they have been stirred to life by the recent addition of billions of new dollars into our already inflated monetary supply. One blogger reported recently that inflation rose 1.6% in the past week alone, which is ridiculous considering that White House economists only called for 2.7% inflation for the whole year. Surely, government workers wouldn’t skew the facts and shave the numbers to make them more palatable for the American public, would they?

To determine what is really going on with our economy and with certified gold coin prices, let’s look at the facts. Gold rose 2.3% today, only on the mere mentioning of further dollar devaluation. With interest rates having been so low for so long, it seems inevitable that our dollar’s value will be eaten away completely down the road. While our economy showed some signs of life recently, the general consensus is that economic health boosts were the direct result of government stimuli and not genuine healing of our nation’s financial system.

It is also obvious that gains in certified gold coin prices are not anomalies, because while collectors have been forced to exit the market to maintain a comfortable way of life, investors have plunged into the certified gold coin market headfirst throughout the current recession. The recent jumps in certified coin prices at the PCGS price guide is evidence that investor demand for completely private and high profit potential coins remains high. To learn how you could profit and gain protection from certified coins, or to get live certified gold coin prices, contact the friendly specialists at Gold-Coin.com directly or visit one of the many dealers that we supply across the nation.