Gold bullion’s appeal strengthens as the U.K. and U.S. have moved closer to losing their AAA credit rating. According to Moody’s Investor Service the cost of servicing debt is the primary concern that could lead to the detraining credit rating for the world’s largest economy. According to Pierre Caileteau, managing director of sovereign risk at Moody’s in London, under the ratings company’s so-called baseline scenario, the U.S. will spend more on debt service as a percentage of revenue this year than any other top-rated country except the U.K., and will be the biggest spender from 2011 to 2013

In a telephone interview with Bloomberg.com, Cailleteau said “We expect the situation to further deteriorate in terms of the key ratings metrics before they start stabilizing, this story is not going to stop at the end of the year. There is inertia in the deterioration of credit metrics.”

According to Moody’s adverse scenario, which assumes 0.5 percent lower growth each year, the U.S. will be paying about 15 percent of revenue in interest payments, more than the 14 percent limit that would lead to a downgrade to AA.

Many investors are considering a position in gold and silver coins as a hedge against the falling dollar and to have a hard currency available in the safety deposit box; not to mention the potential for appreciation.

Investors looking to reduce their risk exposure are encouraged to contact one of our friendly specialists, to get a better understanding of how to best utilize gold bullion in their portfolio.

Steve Kickner

Growing interest in precious metals investing has inspired many industrious individuals to brave the gold market through more obscure avenues, such as accumulating scrap gold (old or damaged jewelry, eyeglass frames, or collectables, as well as industrial gold that can be extracted from mechanical, and electronic components). These “scrappy” individuals may have accumulated substantial amounts of precious metal discard over a long period of time, or have obtained an abundance of scrap gold through inheritance, other circumstances. Individuals with sufficient scrap holdings, who seek to convert his or her second hand gold into Comex gold bullion, are encouraged to log onto comex.com, or to contact one of their authorized refineries.

Investors should be able to convey the approximate weight of their scrap, as well as the specific type of scrap that they wish to refine. Comex (Commodities Exchange) quality bullion bars are 99.999% pure gold (24-karat), and are traded over the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange), so alloys that are contained in your scrap are eliminated during the refining process. Naturally, the weight of scrap gold doesn’t normally translate directly into Comex gold bullion weight, and there are refining, and various processing fees associated with a scrap gold conversion.

Scrap converters have the option of receiving their very same refined metal, a like quantity of Comex bullion, or a monetary sum that is compatible with the current gold spot price. Investors with questions about precious metal refinement are encouraged to contact one of our friendly specialists, who can assist you with your precious metal needs.

Jonathan Monroe

Pure gold bullion is that which is 99.999% devoid of any impurities, and it’s value is the basis of the global trade market, with the exception of 22-karat bullion coins like South Africa Krugerrands, or modern, $50 American Eagle bullion coins. Most people only ever see pure gold bullion in its’ completely refined state, but a great deal of effort and technology accompanies the manufacturing of this globally coveted precious metal. (www.responsiblegold.org)

Satellites, and geologic technology are used to locate deposits of gold ore within the earth. Once the mining process is permitted to begin, samples of ore are separated between low-grade ore, and high-grade ore. The high-grade ore is then processed accordingly;

Refractory ore which contains carbon, is heated to over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, where the carbon sulfide is burnt off, and the remaining gold is then run through a “leaching circuit”, which is a cyanide bath that dissolves the gold to be collected, or absorbed by an electrically-charged carbon solution. The gold is then chemically stripped by the cyanide, which is recycled, and the yet impure gold is either chemically, or electrolytically separated from its’ carbon mingling.

The 90% pure gold bullion is then melted into “dore” bars, which are then sent to various refineries worldwide, and refined to the 99.999% purity that our global monetary system is backed by.

To assure quality and purity, prospective buyers should only purchase bullion bars with reputable brand names like Engelhard, Johnson Matthey, Credit Suisse, or PAMP Suisse. Those who have completed their research, are encouraged to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on bullion bars and coins to household investors like you.

Danny Burns

It seems as if gold spot prices are winding down a bit from a zany year 2009, and now may be a beneficial time to consider a short-term, gold bullion investment. The spot price dipped below $1100 per-troy-ounce levels earlier this afternoon, and were hovering at around $1098.80, as of 1:40pm, EST. Many are speculating a dormant global economy until the New Year arrives, and then a swift kick in the pants for U.S. dollar values, to bring in the year 2010. Gold bullion prices historically move in the opposite direction of dollar values, so investors are encouraged to research the short-term benefits of owning one-ounce bullion items like Johnson Matthey bars, or modern, 22-karat America Eagle bullion coins.

Our government backs the weight and precious metal content of American Eagle gold coins, and their prices generally hover just above the current gold spot price. These modern bullion coins’ obverse design is also an inexact replica of the rare, $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat gold coin, which was minted from 1907, to 1933. These legendary rare gold coins are widely used as long-term, wealth preservation holdings, because their inherent numismatic value has appreciated remarkably during long-term cycles of degenerated dollar values. Many household investors are protecting their wealth with long-term investments in Saint Gaudens rare gold coins, and diversifying with the aforementioned American Eagle gold bullion, for short-term liquidations. Investors are encouraged to complete their research, and then to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these, and many other bullion, and rare coins to household investors like you.

Danny Burns

Short-term gold bullion buyers have had more than their fair share of opportunity to benefit from tidy profits over the past five weeks, as the gold spot price continues its’ epic rise toward $1200 per troy ounce. The gold spot price set yet another impressive record high this morning, reaching $1183.80, at around 10:40 EST. Just Monday morning, the spot price was at a then high $1174.60, and now suddenly the possibility of reaching a gold spot price of $1200 an ounce by the year’s end isn’t such a far-fetched notion. There are new gold bullion buyers entering the market every day, while other seasoned bullion buyers continue to “reload” their bullion holdings for more potential short-term gains.

Gold bullion buyers typically vary between those who buy bullion bars, and those who prefer bullion coins. Bullion bars’ prices run closest to the current gold spot price due to their lack of intricacy, and household buyers generally purchase one-ounce, and/or ten-ounce bullion bars with reputable brand names like Engelhard, Johnson Matthey, Credit Suisse, and PAMP Suisse. Bullion coins are only a bit costlier than bullion bars, and generally come in one-ounce, 22-karat, or 24-karat purity. 22-karat American Eagle bullion coins are among the world’s most widely-purchased gold coins, along with South African Krugerrands. Austrian Coronas are often lumped in with these two 22-karat coins, although Coronas are actually 21.6 karats.

24-karat bullion coins include American Buffalos, Canadian Maple Leafs, Austrian Philharmonics, Chinese Pandas, and Australian Kangaroos, Koalas, and Lunar coins. Investors can receive institutional discounts on all of their bullion products by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts to household investors like you.

Danny Burns

Many investors prefer to pay the slightly higher premium for the intricate beauty of gold bullion coin, rather than holding less inspiring bullion bars for physical possession. Modern gold bullion coin is an extremely hot investment lately, as the spot price continues to set new all-time record highs, without needing much profit taking time to recover, and resume its’ upward progression. Today, the price of one troy ounce of pure gold only retreated about $5 from yesterday’s newest record high, which supports the theory that investors could be fearing the worst, and acquiring physical metal like gold bullion coin to protect their wealth from plummeting dollar values.

One important thing for bullion investors to remember is that the U.S. government confiscated all gold bullion from American citizens in 1933, and the same type of dollar saving strategy could again be implemented today. To avoid confiscation, a great many investors are converting the bulk of their wealth into rare coins, which are both non-confiscatable, and superb long-term investments for financial safety. Rare coins like $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat gold coins are among the best coins for wealth preservation and future potential profit. They possess nearly one full troy ounce of pure gold, and their numismatic value is historically proven to appreciate significantly during long stretches of economic duress. Long term investors are diversifying their rare coin holdings with bullion coins like 22-karat, American Eagles, for short-term liquidations, while rare coins are left to appreciate. Investors can receive institutional discounts on their bullion and rare coin by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer these discounts to household investors like you.

Danny Burns

Experienced investors enjoy the short-term potential benefits that gold bullion possesses, as well as the financial independence that it grants for those who take physical possession of bullion bars and/or coins. Since bullion prices usually hover slightly above the current gold spot price, and normal holding periods for bullion are usually between one and fourteen months, many investors use gold bullion for short-term profit ventures. Gold backed IRA’s are also a popular option among investors, particularly baby boomers. The U.S. government approves 22 Karat gold American Eagles and proofs as acceptable IRA contributions. 24 Karat Canadian Maple Leafs, and Chinese Pandas are also favorites among bullion coin enthusiasts. Investors can log onto www.GoldPrice.net, for the latest spot price.

One of the benefits of gold bullion investing is enjoying the allure of the yellow metal, and many investors supplement their physical gold bar holdings with beautiful bullion coins, as their exquisite designs accentuate their precious metal content. Bullion bars with reputable names like Credit Suisse, or Johnson Matthey are renowned for their purity, and are liquid everywhere bullion is sold and traded. Physical possession of gold bullion grants added financial independence to investors, as gold is truly the worlds’ oldest currency. Investors who hold ETF’s, or Exchange Traded Funds, (which are Internet-purchased bullion shares) may wan to consider converting at least some of their “electronic bullion” into physical metal, for added financial independence. Investors who are seeking to maximize their bullion potential can further explore this website, for helpful insight on a wide selection of bullion products, as well as institutional discounts.

Danny Burns

The beauty of gold bullion lies in its’ simplicity. A rather rustic description of bullion would be “gold in bulk form”, as the main attribute of bullion, is in its’ purity. Gold is the world’s oldest currency, and it’s gold bullion that gives every paper (or fiat) currency its’ accepted value. Whenever global economic conditions have threatened the value of fiat currencies, it’s gold bullion that has historically been reverted to, to regain economic stability. A prime example of such an economic reversion is the gold confiscation from U.S. citizens in the early 1930’s. Our nation’s dollar was in dire danger of imminent implosion, so President Theodore Roosevelt issued the Executive Order of 1933, to confiscate all gold bullion from U.S. citizens. Anyone found guilty of hoarding gold, was subject to ten years in prison, and a ten thousand dollar fine.

The nation’s confiscated gold gave the denuded dollar values more muscle, and the country’s banking emergency was eventually evaded. Today, dollar values are dwindling, and our nation’s lack luster GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is cause for growing concern. Economic experts also fear the ominous presence of an upcoming inflationary cycle, since our nation’s treasury has printed more than forty percent more fiat currency over the past four years. Historically, gold shares an inverse correlation with dollar values. When dollar values fall, the spot price of gold historically tends to rise, and visa versa. Investors who have carefully evaluated their specific, individual financial needs and expectations, are advised to contact a reputable, precious metal dealer, like the Certified Gold Exchange, for world-class gold bullion investment advice, and competitive prices.

Danny Burns