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1
May

How to Create a Morgan Silver Dollar Collection

United States Morgan silver dollars are among the most popular coins ever collected. These coins were minted by the U.S. Mint from 1878 until 1921, and have since been highly sought after by collectors around the world. If you are interested in creating a Morgan silver dollar collection, there are a few tips and suggestions that will help you get off to a solid start.

Before purchasing your first coin, it is important to become as familiar as possible with Morgan dollars from different minting years. For instance, the 1895 Morgan silver dollar is known as the “King of the Morgan dollars” since it is the rarest of the Morgan series. A single specimen of the 1895 Morgan dollar sold for $120,000 at an auction. Why is this coin so much more valuable than any other in the series? It’s the rarity factor of these coins that has pushed their value so high.

There are different theories as to why 1895 Morgans are so rare. While there were plans to mint thousands of these coins, many numismatists believe that the majority of the coins were never actually minted. Others believe that most of these coins were melted down leaving only a few rare 1895 coins in existence. Whatever the reason, the rarity of these coins has made them incredibly valuable.

Since there are only about 75-80 1895 Morgan dollars known to exist today, you could spend a lifetime trying to acquire one of these coins with no luck. Fortunately, there are many other Morgan silver dollar specimens from other minting years that also have significant value and that will appreciate in value over time. The 1895 Morgan would certainly be icing on the cake for your collection but should not be your primary goal if you plan to get anywhere with your collection.

Once you become familiar with the variety of Morgan dollars, your next step should be to find someone to purchase the coins from. Keep in mind that counterfeit Morgan dollars are not uncommon. Fraudulent coin sellers are notorious for passing off coins that look very much so like the real thing. To avoid getting caught up with a fraudulent dealer, find a reputable coin dealer who specializes in Morgan dollars and other rare coins. Ask about their inventory of Morgan silver dollars. If the dealer is well known in the coin collecting community and has a respectable inventory of Morgan coins on hand, you will have a reliable source that will allow you to expand your collection.

17
Feb

Choosing Gold

As more and more people look for security in these uncertain economic times, people are turning once again to the stability of gold.  The price of gold per ounce has seen historic highs in recent years, a likely cause being the recent economic fallout of 2008.  Gold has traditionally done very well in otherwise bear markets, often soaring to dramatic heights before finally leveling off at new highs.  The reason for this is gold’s adaptability.  Gold has a recognized value to society for its uses in currency, jewelry, electronics, medical supplies and technologies, and the list goes on.  Its rarity, non-corrosive nature, superior conductivity, and luster put it at the top of the world’s lists for most valued resources.  Gold’s versatility makes it a superior element, and it has improved the quality of life for millions, if not billions, of people throughout human history.

People choose to strategically invest in gold for a myriad of reasons, but one thing is clear: they are looking for the excellent returns that an investment in gold typically promises.  There are a few ways for them to accomplish this task.  Gold investing can be as simple as buying gold bullion coins from the US Mint.  These certified gold coins are available in a wide variety of weights to meet your personal financial needs.  Bullion coins can be purchased from authorized dealers who deal directly with the US Mint.

Another way that people choose to invest in gold is to buy certificates.  Certificates function exactly as if they were gold bullion, but they eliminate the need for the secure storage space that gold bullion typically demands.  Buying gold certificates means that your tangible assets are store in a remote, secure location, and your certificates represent the amount you own.  The gold can be sold or traded the same way it would be if you had the gold on hand.  The price of the gold certificates may be slightly higher due to the storage fees that are incorporated into the prices, but the peace of mind that the investments are store securely is often enough of a selling point for people to choose this option.  Long-term investors in gold will often choose certificates because eventually the gold will pay for its own storage fees through its earnings.

It’s clear that there has never been a better time to buy gold.  Its security and reliability in even the worst of markets, coupled with its unparalleled ability to hedge against inflation, make it an excellent way to diversify any portfolio.

16
Feb

Current Gold Prices

At this point in time, it would make a lot of sense to invest in gold. The gold prices are constantly rising for a number of reasons. The first reason that the price for gold is rising is because the United States Dollar and the Europe Euro are inflating. As the currency in different countries is inflating and losing its value over a period of time, gold is not. Gold is something that continues to be as valuable, if not more valuable, as it has always been for thousands of years. Since the discovery of gold thousands of years ago, it has never inflated or lost its worth. People who are looking to invest in something steady and not shaky should invest in gold. There are different types of gold that can be invested in as well which makes it a lot of fun for people who simply enjoy collecting the gold coins, gold bullion, and gold bars.

Collecting gold is something that people have been doing for decades. There are many people who collect an assortment of different gold coins, bars, and bullion with the hopes that one day, their collection will be worth a lot more. And, as the price for gold continues to rise, their hopes are actually coming true. Many collectors have been able to sell off their different gold items for a hefty chunk of change all because the price for gold has risen. The price for gold has not only risen because it is valuable and does not inflate, it is also in demand around the world. The price for gold always increases as the demand for gold becomes higher. That is simply the way that the system works. When more people want and need gold, the price for the gold will be a lot higher.

Anyone who is interested in collecting and investing in gold can easily do so. All they need to do is contact a coin dealer. A coin dealer is basically an expert when it comes to buying, selling, and trading coins and other precious metal products. They can guide investors and collectors into making the appropriate investments in specific gold items, along with other precious metal items. Coin dealers have a lot of knowledge when it comes to gold and other precious metals and they will usually know when gold is in demand and when the price for that gold is higher.

15
Feb

Gold Is Going Up

There is no doubt that buying gold bullion is the perfect way to protect one’s assets in a troubled economy. In fact this love affair with gold has been going on for thousands of years, and continues to this day. Why? In this era of debt inundated nations, flat currencies, and unpredictable stock markets gold is the best way to cushion oneself from the financial problems of the world. Paper investments like stocks and dollars can lose their value quickly. Gold always has worth.

Currently the spot price of gold bullion is over the $1700 per ounce mark. While this is below its all time high of just over $1900 per ounce, by historical standards this is very high. Europe still has stock investors worried, and with good reason. The Greece problem refuses to go away. France and Portugal have seen their credit ratings lowered. Even the fund that is being used to bail out Greece has had its credit rating lowered. No wonder stock investors are selling off their risky stocks and making a mad dash to the safety of gold.

It is safe bet the Euro debt problem will be filled with drama for the entire year. This is enough to make the stock market rocky. However, gold is going up and it is probable that gold will set a new record in 2012. The Euro debt mess will face many stumbling blocks as they work to secure the Euro. While stocks might not like this situation, gold does and will go up. The best time to get into gold is right now, before the spot price trends upward even more.

Stock investing can indeed be a lucrative venture, but caution is needed. The stock market will have its share of real bad days in 2012. Gold is the best way to cushion those blows. Even if gold endures a price correction, which is unlikely gold’s spot price will still be high. Gold always recovers quickly and then goes up higher. While we need dollars to live it is wise not to depend on printed money. The better choice is to depend on reliable gold.

In summary, investing in gold bullion is by far the best way to protect assets. The Greece debacle simply refuses to go away. This will keep stock investors nervous as the stock market continues to be a roller coaster ride. On the other hand, gold will not only remain high but will soar in 2012.

5
Feb

Maintaining your Morgan Silver Dollar

The purchase of coins such as the world-renowned Morgan silver dollar can be an exciting endeavor. However, long after the initial excitement of owning a piece of American history has worn off, the stark reality will hit that, in order to protect your investment, certain steps must be taken to ensure the protection of your coin collection.

With the price of silver hitting near record highs in 2011, it has become more important than ever to ensure that you are educated in proper coin preservation techniques that will ensure your collection is in the best condition possible.

How to Properly Handle a Coin

Before choosing the proper preservation methods, it is essential to first know how to properly handle your coins. Coins such as the Morgan silver dollar are susceptible to being scratched due to an individual touching the face of the coin. As a common rule when moving your coins, it is essential that you pick them up by the edges only.

Develop a Safe and Stable Observation Table

When observing your coins it is best to designate a specific flat table with sufficient light that is free from debris. Even one drop of a coin can damage the coin to the point where its value decreases.

Choosing the Right Protective Cover

There are several coin cover options that can be used. However, the best coin covers are those with a protective plastic shell that will serve as a significant buffer between the coin and any impact it may make with a hard surface. Keep in mind that these coins are significant investments. The purchase of protective cases is similar to purchasing inexpensive but effective insurance for the coins, as these cases ensure that the coin will not lose value due to inadvertent damage.

Keep all of Your Coins in One Place

Whether you are just starting out with a few Morgan silver dollars or whether you have been collecting for years and have finally pieced together a collection you can be proud of, it is important to organize your coins in a fashion that ensures they are always all in the same place. Randomly storing coins in different areas of the home increases the risk of the coins being lost. Also, be sure to store the coins in an elevated area to avoid the danger of your collection being walked on or kicked.

Collecting coins is a valuable and rewarding experience. As with every hobby, the better care you take of your collectables the more valuable your collection will be moving forward.

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