Gold is dominating investing markets and Americans are frantically looking to learn everything they can about the precious metal in order to make the most effective investment decisions. One of the best ways to learn about gold is by reading a few of the most popular gold blogs that showcase a wide array of information on everything from current gold prices to gold price projections and investment strategies. Below I have listed and briefly explained the top 10 best gold blogs in 2011-2012:

1. GoldPrice.net Blog – The GoldPrice.net blog features vast information on current gold prices, historical gold prices, gold projections and effective investing methods/strategies. Many of the world’s best gold investment secrets are displayed on this blog. Managed by the experienced GoldPrice.net staff writers, this is my personal favorite.

2. GoldSilver.org Blog – The GoldSilver.org blog is one of the Internet’s best gold and silver blogs featuring everything from basic to advanced information on precious metal investing as well as prices, projections and recommended investments. This is a great blog for new and experienced investors alike. A must read.

3. Daily Reckoning Blog – One of my favorite gold blogs, the Daily Reckoning is a database of some of the most interesting doom and gloom blogs available online. If you want to know more about the crumbling economy and why everyone should own gold, this is a great blog to read.

4. Dollar Collapse Blog – The Dollar Collapse blog is managed by John Rubino, co-author of The Collapse of the Dollar and How to Profit From It. It features many doom and gloom posts about the crumbling economy and how you can protect yourself from the failing dollar by investing in gold. Very interesting.

5. Gold and Silver Daily Blog – Ed Steer’s Gold And Silver Daily is a great gold blog that focuses on analyzing the technical aspects of gold investing and the market. It features many charts, graphs and impressive blogs that can really teach you a thing or two about technical gold investing.

6. Gold and Silver Blog – The Gold And Silver Blog is a well-known database for many doom and gloom articles on the economy and failing investment markets, as well as many interesting posts on the future of gold investing in the midst of an economic crisis.

7. Wihiskey and Gunpowder – Another one of my favorite gold blogs, Whiskey And Gunpowder is a hardcore blog not for the faint of heart. Freedom of speech is seen at its finest as the Whiskey And Gunpowder writers showcase everything that’s wrong with the government and why gold is one of the best investments to own at the moment.

8. Bob Chapman’s Gold and Silver Forecast Blog – Bob Chapman’s blog, also known as the Gold & Silver Forecast is a great place to learn about the gold and silver market and how it is affected by external variables such as the US Dollar, stocks and the economy.

9. Economy Collapse Blog – The Economy Collapse blog is an excellent resource for interesting doom and gloom posts as well as many controversial posts covering everything from government conspiracies to dollar and gold price manipulation.

10. California Numismatic Investments – Bill’s Blog from California Numismatic Investments is a very popular gold blog that displays many interesting posts on topics ranging from gold and gold confiscation to economic crisis and hyperinflation. A great read.

Until next time.

Arthur McGuire
Senior Staff Writer – Gold-Coin.com

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

International bullion coins carry some of the more aesthetic, and educational benefits that are associated with modern bullion coinage, but investors and collectors both appreciate, and value the artistry (and 24-karat purity) of Panda Gold coins. Part of the charm of these one troy-ounce modern bullion coins, is that their reverse design is annually replaced, to offer a new rendition of panda portrayal. The obverse side remains the same each year, which portrays China’s “Temple of Heaven” in Beijing.

It’s important for investors to remember that Panda Gold coins are bullion, and do not possess numismatic value, nor rare coin status. Their limited annual mintage is important to collectors and some investors however, as demand for certain issues of Panda Gold coins have increased with time, and hence have commanded higher liquidation prices for their owners on some occasions.

24-karat Pandas are also U.S. government-approved for gold-backed IRAs, which is an option that is used among many investors who cannot afford rare coin prices. Rare coins aren’t allowed as precious metal IRA contributions, but Pandas do have the potential to appreciate over time, and can also be obtained for a price that generally hovers just slightly above the current gold spot price. Chinese Pandas contain a full troy-ounce of pure gold, but are also minted in fractional sizes like ½-ounce, ¼-ounce,1/10-ounce, and 1/20-ounces, for greater affordability.

Investors can avoid paying eye-gouging retail prices for their 24-karat Panda coins by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these, and many other gold coins to household investors like you.

Jonathan Monroe

The modern bullion, American Eagle, 22-karat $50 gold coin, is a globally popular item for both its’ short-term, and long-term benefits, as it can be used to capitalize on gold spot price fluctuations, as diversifications for rare gold coins, or as U.S. government-approved precious metal IRA contributions.

The uncertainty of our economic future is palpable, and international unrest over our Federal Reserve’s irresponsible policies and practices has been hurting dollar values. It could be quite some time before economic order is regained in the United States, so droves of investors have been protecting their precarious wealth in rare gold coins like Double Eagles, and diversifying with bullion like American Eagle $50 gold coin.

Double Eagles are $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat, rare gold coins, that were minted from 1850 to 1907, and from 1907 to 1933, respectively. They carry slightly less gold than American Eagle bullion, but their numismatic value is worth significantly more than that of their precious metal content (.9675 troy ounces of pure gold). Since the U.S. government backs the weight and precious metal content of American Eagle bullion $50 coin, a great many corporate, and household investors prefer to use these coins to diversify their long-term Double Eagle holdings.

Investors can avoid paying extortive retail prices for their American Eagle bullion, and Double Eagle rare coin by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on bullion, and rare coin to household investors like you.

Jonathan Monroe

Precious metals investors not only can benefit from short-term profits gains they could potentially earn with ownership of gold bullion coins, they can also diversify their long-term rare coin holdings with much less costly bullion coins like modern, 22-karat American Eagles. These coins are one of the most widely purchased gold bullion coins in the world, as our U.S. government backs their weight, and precious metal content, which includes a full troy-ounce of pure gold. Gold bullion coins’ prices hover slightly above the current gold spot price (which represents the cost of one troy-ounce of pure gold), but certain, limited-minted bullion coins can appreciate over time as collectors items.

24-karat Chinese Pandas are one such bullion coin, and they are also minted as fractional denominations, like ½-ounce, ¼-ounce, and 1/10-ounces, for greater affordability. Naturally, 24-karat bullion is a bit more costly than 22-karat bullion, and many U.S. investors particularly prefer the haunting design of 24-karat American Buffalos, to the aforementioned, 22-karat American Eagle bullion coins.

As mentioned, bullion coins make ideal diversifications for rare gold coins like Double Eagles, which are $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat, rare gold coins. These items carry high premiums, but their numismatic value historically appreciates throughout long-term economic recessions. Investors can avoid paying outrageous retail prices for their American Eagle bullion, and Double Eagle rare coin by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on bullion, and rare coin to household investors like you.

Jonathan Monroe

Every investment employs an element of risk, but well diversified holdings in Gold Eagle coin can be beneficial for earning short-term profits, as well as obtaining long-term financial protection and safety. Many of today’s novice precious metals investors are getting their feet wet by purchasing bullion Gold Eagle coin, which is 22-karat, American Eagle, modern bullion coins. They contain a full troy-ounce of pure gold, and their absence of numismatic value maintains their prices at just above current gold spot price levels. The gold spot price represents the cost of one troy-ounce of pure gold, and American Eagles are ideal for tracking that price, since our government backs their weight, and precious metal content.

Conversely, rare Gold Eagle coin is far more costly, but trend savvy investors are willing to pay high premiums for historically proven financial protection. During the backbreaking inflationary cycle of the 1970s, certain Double Eagle rare gold coins appreciated by nearly 1000%, but physical gold investment was relatively new to U.S. citizens at the time. Today, more investors than ever are purchasing these numismatic rarities in the hopes of history repeating itself, and certifying these coins’ numismatic value through globally reputable companies like the PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), or the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation). Double Eagles are $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat rare gold coins, and investors are advised to trust only PCGS, or NGC certification for their Double Eagle coinage. Investors can avoid paying felonious retail prices for their American Eagle bullion, and Double Eagle rare coin by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on bullion, and rare coin to household investors like you.

Jonathan Monroe

Whenever precious metals investors buy gold coin like American Eagle bullion, or Double Eagle rare coin, they can benefit from the same discounted, large-volume rates that financial institutions receive. Banks and insurance companies typically buy gold coin like the aforementioned items in very large volume, and receive “wholesale-type” discounts for their enormous purchases. They make these purchases through reputable, large-volume precious metals exchanges (which also supply the nation’s local gold dealers), and wily household investors are now transacting through these exchanges as well. Once investors have sufficiently evaluated their short-term, and long-term financial needs and expectations, they are encouraged to only buy gold coin from an exchange that has an A rating, or better with the Better Business Bureau.

The aforementioned Double Eagle coins are among today’s most highly revered long-term investments for financial safety. $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat rare gold coins are also commonly known as Double Eagles, and command very high premiums. Since their numismatic value is the reason for these high prices, investors are advised to only buy gold coin that has been officially certified by either the PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), or the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation). These two rare coin-assaying companies are the most respected by gold traders worldwide, who in turn pay top dollar for PCGS, and/or NGC certification. Investors are encouraged to complete their research, and then to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on bullion, and rare coin to household investors like you.

Jonathan Monroe

Household investors’ whose budgets can’t handle rare coin prices, can use gold bullion coin for their long-term investment benefits. The U.S. government approves precious metals holdings for IRAs, which include 24-karat bars, but rare coins aren’t allowed. The modern $50 American Eagle is the only 22-karat gold bullion coin that is allowed for precious metal IRA storage, so owners of South African Krugerrands can either hold those coins for their own personal possession, or convert them to American Eagle bullion coinage. Our government approves 24-karat gold bullion coin for precious metal IRA storage, and these one-troy-ounce gold coins include American Buffalos, Canadian Maple Leafs, Chinese Pandas, Austrian Philharmonics, and Australian Kangaroos, Koalas, and Lunar Coins.

Gold bullion coin is also a reliable vehicle for short-term profit gains, as its’ prices generally hover just above the current gold spot price, which is the cost of one troy-ounce of pure gold. All of the aforementioned coins also make ideal diversifications for far more costly rare coins like Double Eagles, since each coin’s respective government backs their bullion coins for weight and precious metal content. Double Eagles are rare, $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat gold coins, and more and more investors are purchasing these rarities for long-term financial safety. Both 22, and 24-karat bullion coins contain one full troy-ounce of pure gold, but 22-karat bullion also contains an alloy of silver and copper, for greater resilience. Investors can avoid paying felonious retail prices for their American Eagle bullion, and Double Eagle rare coin by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these, and many other bullion and rare gold coins to household investors like you.

Jonathan Monroe

Buying gold coins is as beneficial in its’ diversity as it is in its’ simplicity, as rare gold coins like Double Eagles are proven safe haven assets, and bullion coins like 22-karat American Eagles are ideal short-term profit vehicles. Both types of coins are essential for proper portfolio diversification, so investors are encouraged to thoroughly evaluate their finances so they can determine their own, specific, short-term and long-term financial requirements. Once these individual needs and expectations are identified, investors can begin researching the types of rare and bullion gold coins that could ideally customize those needs. The vast majority of today’s long-term household investors are buying gold coins like rare $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat gold coins (also known as Double Eagles) for optimal financial safety.

Double Eagle coins’ inherent numismatic value commands very high gold coin prices, and since these long-term investments are typically held for years at a time, wise investors diversify with bullion coins like the aforementioned 22-karat American Eagles, or 24-karat American Buffalos, or Chinese Pandas. Bullion coin prices generally tend to hover just above the current gold spot price, which is the cost of one full troy-ounce of pure gold, and these coins can be liquidated whenever short-term profits are required. Investors who are considering buying gold coins can avoid paying exploitive retail prices for their Gold Eagle bullion, or Double Eagle rare coin by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer large-volume discounts on these, and many other gold coins to household investors like you.

Jonathan Monroe