Coin Values

Steven, if we may throw in our $0.02 regarding investments. Precious metals are better looked at as a vehicle for safeguarding wealth rather than as an investment. There is ample evidence that the gold and silver markets are manipulated, and these markets have become mere extensions of the fiat-dominated, central bank-controlled world fiat economy.

A paper currency crisis would expose the disconnect between paper metals contracts and physical gold & silver, and could cause a massive spike in the gold price. However, such an apocalyptic event should not be viewed as an investment opportunity; rather it should be seen as a hypothetical situation which would warrant owning some physical precious metals at today's low prices in case it is needed in the event of a catastrophe. It is possible we may not witness such an event in our lifetimes. It could also happen tomorrow.

Precious metals are unique in that they can't be frozen in a bank account or confiscated; they can't be printed into oblivion; and most important, they are finite in quantity. While a central bank has the power to destroy a paper currency in 24 hours, no-one on Earth has the power to reduce the intrinsic value of physical precious metals.

The situation in Puerto Rico after hurricane Maria should demonstrate the importance of holding hard physical assets such as gold and silver. The electric grid was wiped out. Most of the island is still without electricity, internet and water. Without electricity there is no ATM machine, no Bitcoin. In a nutshell, the catastrophe that Puerto Ricans are suffering today is a microcosm of what an economic collapse could look like if it ever happened worldwide. When the island went dark during the storm, only physical objects were (and still are) the only truly valuable assets. Gold, silver, even cigarettes become a currency in this situation. When 99% of the things we take for granted as having value on a daily basis (debit cards, credit cards, smartphones, IRAs, stock investments, etc...) disappear in a matter of seconds you realize what sorts of objects have true value.

This is why you should not approach precious metals as an investment. It's better to consider gold and silver as catastrophe insurance. Investing in paper gold and silver futures is akin to playing the stock market. Precious metals are a long-term game to safeguard your wealth, and if central banks do not get their debts under control, you could see your wealth grow exponentionally in the event of a fiat crisis.