Civilizations have equated pure gold with gods, wealth, and immortality. For centuries, gold bullion has symbolized power and used as a storage of wealth. The fact that gold neither corrodes nor tarnishes not to mention the beauty of the precious metal made it suitable for deities and royalty in ancient civilizations. A gold standard was used as a monetary policy within and between nations but the world gold standard ended in 1976. The 1930s was the last time gold was used in minted coins designated for circulation. Historically, the value of gold was based on perceived rarity and its distinctive color.
Almost half of the new gold consumed each year is for jewelry, 40% is for investments and 10% for industrial purposes. The high malleability and conductivity of gold are characteristics that make gold used in many types of computerized devices. The precious metal is also used in tooth restoration, as an anti-inflammatory, and infrared shields.
Paper currencies have come and gone but gold remains in demand and has an inherent value. Gold bars, gold ingots, gold coins, and Investment Grade Coins are all popular ways to invest in the yellow metal.
Gold bars and gold ingots are the most popular way to invest in gold and generally the form of gold bullion that most people think about. You can purchase a gold bar can come in a variety of sizes from 1 gram to 1 kilo. Actually, a gold bar can be as big as someone’s imagination. Currently, the largest gold bar in history was produced by Mitsubishi Materials Corporation. The bar weighed 551 pounds and would be worth over $11 million with a spot price of $1275.
Gold bullion coin price is based on the weight of the precious metal and the scarcity of the coin itself. The scarcity arises from the fact that once a mintage of a coin is done for a specific year there will never be another coin of that year produced. Minted coins also offer the guarantee that comes from a reputable mint like the U.S. Mint. Gold bullion coins are generally legal tender in the country that the coin was minted.
Investment Grade Coins are higher quality and rarer than bullion coins. These coins are also graded at a magnification of 5x what the naked eye can see and are enclosed in a protective slab to preserve the mint condition of the coin. Investment Grade Coins are for investors planning to hold onto their investment for at least 5 years.