The World Gold Guide
Wisdom, Value, and Practical Reasons To Acquire Gold
 

For thousands of years, gold has been prized for its rarity, its beauty, and above all, for its unique characteristics as a store of value. Nations may rise and fall, paper currencies come and go, but gold endures forever.

In today’s uncertain investment climate, many people turn to the safety and security of gold because it is a “currency without borders.” Gold is an important and secure asset that can be tapped at any time, under virtually any circumstances.

But there is another side to gold that is equally important, and that is its day-to-day performance as a stabilizing influence for investment portfolios. These advantages are currently attracting considerable attention from financial professionals and sophisticated investors worldwide.

Gold is an Effective Diversifier
Diversification helps protect your portfolio against fluctuations in the value of any one asset class. Gold is an ideal diversifier, because the economic forces that determine the price of gold are different from, and in many cases opposed to, the forces that influence most financial assets.

As the chart above indicates, gold prices tend to move in the opposite direction of stocks.

Gold Responds When You Need it Most
Recent independent studies have revealed that traditional diversifiers often fall during times of market stress or instability. On these occasions, most asset classes (including traditional diversifiers such as bonds and alternative assets) all move together in the same direction.

As a result, there is no “cushioning” effect of a diversified portfolio – leaving investors disappointed and with larger than anticipated losses.

However, a small allocation of gold has been proven to significantly improve the consistency of portfolio performance, during both stable and unstable financial periods. Greater consistency of performance leads to a desirable outcome– an investor whose expectations are met.

Gold is Highly Liquid
Gold can be readily bought or sold 24 hours a day, in large denominations, and at narrow spreads. This cannot be said of most other investments, including stocks of the world’s largest corporations. In fact, Gold proved to be the most effective means of raising cash during the 1987 Stock Market Crash, and again during the 1997/98 Asian Debt Crisis. So holding a portion of your portfolio in gold can be invaluable in moments when cash is essential, whether for margin calls or other needs.

How to Buy Gold
Gold is easy to buy, sell, and store. It is available at coin and precious metal dealers like Austin Rare Coins and Bullion and can be sold at any time around the world. You can make purchases in virtually any amount, ranging from a fraction of an ounce upward. The weight and purity of gold coins and bars are precisely controlled and standardized by internationally-recognized refiners and mints, allowing you to buy with confidence and sell with ease.

Gold bullion products are based on the underlying price of gold bullion, plus a small premium. As with any investment, it is always advisable to check the terms of the purchase agreement, procedures and prices offered by the dealer. Prospective investors should consult their financial advisor regarding tax laws or other circumstances.
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Buying Gold Bars
International refiners make it convenient for investors to own gold bullion by offering gold bars in a variety of weights and sizes, ranging from one troy ounce to 400 troy ounces. (One troy ounce is larger than the standard U.S. measure of an ounce and equals 1.09715 regular or avoirdupois ounces.)

Broker commissions on buying and selling gold bars are minimal, and in most cases, purchasing bars is the most cost- efficient means of owning gold. Gold bars bearing the “hallmark” (logo) of internationally recognized refiners are the easiest to sell. Most gold bars are stamped .995 (99.5% pure gold) up to .999% purity, along with the individual bar’s weight. 
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Buying Gold Coins
Gold bullion coins are popular with investors because they combine intrinsic value with artistic beauty. And if you purchase the right Gold Bullion Coins, you can be assured of complete privacy in all your transactions. (Call us to discuss how to acquire private and non-reportable gold 1-800-928-6468.) The bullion coin represents an investment in pure gold, and because it is legal tender, the country of origin guarantees its authenticity. The bullion coin bears a face value that is largely symbolic; its true value depends on its gold content and the daily price of gold.

Bullion coins are minted in a variety of weights ranging from 1/20 of an ounce to 1 kilogram. Bullion coins can be easily bought and sold virtually anywhere in the world. Prices for popular one-ounce coins are quoted daily in most of the world’s newspapers. Prices for bullion coins are based on the underlying price of gold bullion, plus a small premium. 

Austin Rare Coins has in stock at all times any inventory of American Eagle, Austrian Philharmonic, Canadian Maple Leaf and South African Krugerrands.  Current dates are available in sizes available from 1/20th to 1 ounce.

Gold is the Ideal Gift
In many cultures, gold serves as a family treasure or a wealth transfer vehicle that is passed on from generation to generation. Gold bullion coins make excellent gifts for birthdays, graduations, weddings, holidays and other occasions. They are appreciated as much for their intrinsic value as for their mystical appeal and beauty. And because gold is available in a wide range of sizes and denominations, you don’t need to be wealthy to give the gift of gold.