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The key difference between the two options is that bullion coins are produced by government mints, while private refineries mint bullion rounds.
Bullion coins, such as the American Gold Eagle, usually command the highest premium per ounce. This is because they are government-backed and often have a legal tender value. They also offer high-quality production supported by their respective governments. Due to their widespread recognition, these coins provide enhanced authenticity assurances, making them easier to liquidate.
On the other hand, rounds are typically 1 ounce and are minted by private refineries. They generally have lower premiums than coins.
Bullion bars tend to have the lowest premiums, especially at higher weights, where you can find some of the most competitive prices.
At CMIGS, we focus on bullion products because we believe they offer a straightforward way to invest in precious metals. While numismatic items can be a rewarding lifelong passion, they require extensive research to ensure you get the best value for your investment. Bullion products are valued primarily for their precious metal content and follow spot prices closely. In contrast, numismatic items are valued based on factors such as rarity, historical significance, and condition, which can result in prices being 30% or more above the metal value. During economic downturns, the collectibility premium of numismatic items may decrease, making them less liquid than globally recognized bullion products.
Read our Myths and Misunderstanding article to learn more.
The wealth-preservation power of bullion can back IRAs by working with an IRA custodian and opening a self-directed IRA account. The custodian will work with CMIGS to move IRA-approved precious metals to your account. The custodian will handle the transactions to ensure compliance with IRS regulations, and metals will be stored in an IRS-approved depository. Depending on the custodian, this process can take up to three weeks. Visit our IRA page to learn more.
It is essential for anyone investing in precious metals to understand that the bullion market is not regulated, which means that dealers can set their own prices. While most reputable dealers price their products competitively in line with market trends, we always advise customers to shop around for the best deals from trustworthy sources. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that if a price seems too good to be true, it usually is. Buyers should exercise caution regarding items that appear to be over- or under-priced.
As with any investment, there are risks involved. At CMIGS, we believe in educating clients first so you can make an informed decision based on your needs. Check our blogs and other resources to help you in your precious metals journey.
Premiums are the mark-up cost of bullion products determined by supply and demand, production costs, Dealer mark-ups, product type, and economic conditions. Investors should always shop at reputable dealers to find the lowest premium to maximize investment value.
At CMIGS, we strive to provide the most competitive offers for buying and selling. Check out our specials pages often for deals on precious metals.
Gold and silver have been used throughout history as currency exchange. While we hope the situation never arises, gold and silver will remain a global currency exchange during an economic crisis.
People often wonder whether buying precious metals in smaller denominations is better for easier exchange in case of an economic collapse. Our consistent advice is to focus on acquiring the most metal for the least amount of money rather than acquiring it based on fear.
Our strategies, mindsets, and approaches will also evolve as economic circumstances change. History has shown that the human spirit is resilient and can adapt to changes that facilitate higher volumes of metal transactions. Rest assured that during economic crises, entities like CMIGS will be around to help facilitate the buying, selling, and trading of bullion.
The storage of precious metals can vary based on individual circumstances. There are several safe storage options available. For smaller quantities, common choices include bank safety deposit boxes or home safes. When opting for home storage, it’s best to use floor safes or larger safes from reputable companies that offer fire protection and robust security features, including high-security locking systems. For larger investments, private depositories can serve as effective storage solutions.
The best investment strategy is to invest in bullion due to its ability to preserve wealth. History demonstrates that gold and silver serve as safe havens against inflation that is done through a long-term hold. While some investors might buy at low prices and sell at high prices, the best and easiest way to maximize the benefits of bullion investments is to retain them until you need to liquidate.
Precious metals are a commodity, and spot prices are determined through continuous trading activity on global markets and exchanges like the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and the Commodity Exchange (COMEX).
A complex range of factors determines the spot price in the global market by calculating the average of the estimated price of gold based on the traded futures contract for the nearest month.
Key factors that can play a role in these prices are global economic conditions, geopolitical events, and market sentiment. For more information on how CMIGS obtains spot prices, see our Interactive Spot Price page.
CMIGS refrains from providing personalized investment advice, as individual circumstances can differ significantly. We offer a variety of educational tools so you can make an informed decision that best suits your personal investment. Nonetheless, industry experts commonly recommend that investors consider allocating around 10% of their portfolios to precious metals. These metals are recognized for their role in wealth preservation, making them a valuable component of a well-rounded investment strategy.
The decision to invest in gold or silver depends on individual investment goals. One advantage of silver is its lower cost, allowing for easier market entry. Silver is viewed as an undervalued commodity that offers significant growth potential. However, larger investments in silver can pose storage challenges and tend to be slightly more volatile.
In contrast, gold is generally regarded as more stable and can hold significant wealth in a compact form. Recently, the price of gold has surged to nearly $3,000 per ounce, making it a more expensive investment than silver.
Including a mix of gold and silver serves as portfolio diversifiers but gold has historically been a more powerful hedge against market downturns.
Enter your weight below to discover your worth in gold and silver!
Understanding the terms spot and premium is essential to gold investing. The spot price is the price at which gold trades, and the premium is the trade fee or cost over spot prices. Tracking spot prices and obtaining gold with the lowest premium ensures the best investment practices for precious metals.
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