investing in oil
Investing in oil can either be a nightmare or a fabulous adventure depending on your perspective. If you are the the cautious and prudent type, oil investment might not be for you. Investing in oil and natural gas, after all, is very risky. Natural gas and oil are always at the center of political drama and debate around the world. Pipelines flowed through some of the most politically charged areas on Earth. Much of our national policy, such as the war in Iraq, is dictated exclusively by oil prices. If you choose to invest in oil, you are putting yourself right in the middle of all of this.
On the other hand, investing in oil can make you wealth beyond your wildest dreams. Stock market investing can make money, but investing in oil is almost guaranteed to. Provided that the political situation remains stable and that OPEC doesn't pull some kind of surprising move that affects the whole oil industry, investing in national gas and oil will make you money anywhere on earth. Oil is so lucrative that the state of Alaska can afford to pay everyone thousands of dollars a year just for living there. All this money comes from the Alaskan oil pipeline, and it goes directly to the citizens of Alaska.
One of the great things about investing in oil is that, as the world oil supply shrinks and the value of oil continues to rise, your investment will be worth more and more. Inevitably, things will become destabilized. It does not pay to have all your money locked up in natural resource investments, but it sure does make sense to put some of it there. There are so many investment opportunities that I certainly would not suggest investing in oil as the only one you try, but it might just be a good place to start. After all, many opportunities for investing are rather hard to understand, but oil is easy. We need it to make cars run, we need it to transport our food, and we need to defend our country. It is something that is in limited supply, and is useful for everything. What more do you need to know?
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Getting Started Investing is Often the Hardest Part
There are several reasons people give for not investing their money in things like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. One reason is that they feel that they dont have enough money to make a serious investment, but a more common reason that many people have absolutely no idea how to go about getting started investing. In fact, if more people understood the basics of investing and had a cohesive plan for getting started investing, more people would do it.
Lets assume that the first reason does not apply to you and you do, in fact, have some amount of money that youd like to invest. How do you get started investing? You could contact a stock or investment broker and discuss the options that would be best for you. Whether youll want to do this will depend quite a bit on the amount of money that you have to invest. If its a small amount, you may be better off seeking some smaller, safer investment than you would be by jumping directly into the stock market. Some people get started investing by choosing simple accounts with their bank. CDs and IRAs make good investments, for example, for medium and long term goals. IRA accounts are intended for retirement, while CDs are time deposits that must remain in place for a set amount of time (often anywhere from as little as a week to as long as ten years) while they earn interest.
If you do go to the stock market, or graduate to it after getting started investing in safer accounts, you should resist the urge to buy and sell stocks wildly. One mistake that many first time investors make is they become nervous about the stability of their investment and they watch their stock rise and fall every day. If it drops too much they become afraid that the bottom will fall out and they sell at a lower price than they originally paid. This is a bad idea and works against the reasons they got started investing in the first place. Instead the new investor should let it ride and sell only if there is a sudden spike in the price that wont likely repeat. Otherwise, stocks should be a long term investment, especially when someone first gets started investing.
There are several reasons people give for not investing their money in things like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. One reason is that they feel that they dont have enough money to make a serious investment, but a more common reason that many people have absolutely no idea how to go about getting started investing. In fact, if more people understood the basics of investing and had a cohesive plan for getting started investing, more people would do it.
Lets assume that the first reason does not apply to you and you do, in fact, have some amount of money that youd like to invest. How do you get started investing? You could contact a stock or investment broker and discuss the options that would be best for you. Whether youll want to do this will depend quite a bit on the amount of money that you have to invest. If its a small amount, you may be better off seeking some smaller, safer investment than you would be by jumping directly into the stock market. Some people get started investing by choosing simple accounts with their bank. CDs and IRAs make good investments, for example, for medium and long term goals. IRA accounts are intended for retirement, while CDs are time deposits that must remain in place for a set amount of time (often anywhere from as little as a week to as long as ten years) while they earn interest.
If you do go to the stock market, or graduate to it after getting started investing in safer accounts, you should resist the urge to buy and sell stocks wildly. One mistake that many first time investors make is they become nervous about the stability of their investment and they watch their stock rise and fall every day. If it drops too much they become afraid that the bottom will fall out and they sell at a lower price than they originally paid. This is a bad idea and works against the reasons they got started investing in the first place. Instead the new investor should let it ride and sell only if there is a sudden spike in the price that wont likely repeat. Otherwise, stocks should be a long term investment, especially when someone first gets started investing.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
investing in oil
Investing in oil can either be a nightmare or a fabulous adventure depending on your perspective. If you are the the cautious and prudent type, oil investment might not be for you. Investing in oil and natural gas, after all, is very risky. Natural gas and oil are always at the center of political drama and debate around the world. Pipelines flowed through some of the most politically charged areas on Earth. Much of our national policy, such as the war in Iraq, is dictated exclusively by oil prices. If you choose to invest in oil, you are putting yourself right in the middle of all of this.
On the other hand, investing in oil can make you wealth beyond your wildest dreams. Stock market investing can make money, but investing in oil is almost guaranteed to. Provided that the political situation remains stable and that OPEC doesn't pull some kind of surprising move that affects the whole oil industry, investing in national gas and oil will make you money anywhere on earth. Oil is so lucrative that the state of Alaska can afford to pay everyone thousands of dollars a year just for living there. All this money comes from the Alaskan oil pipeline, and it goes directly to the citizens of Alaska.
One of the great things about investing in oil is that, as the world oil supply shrinks and the value of oil continues to rise, your investment will be worth more and more. Inevitably, things will become destabilized. It does not pay to have all your money locked up in natural resource investments, but it sure does make sense to put some of it there. There are so many investment opportunities that I certainly would not suggest investing in oil as the only one you try, but it might just be a good place to start. After all, many opportunities for investing are rather hard to understand, but oil is easy. We need it to make cars run, we need it to transport our food, and we need to defend our country. It is something that is in limited supply, and is useful for everything. What more do you need to know?
Investing in oil can either be a nightmare or a fabulous adventure depending on your perspective. If you are the the cautious and prudent type, oil investment might not be for you. Investing in oil and natural gas, after all, is very risky. Natural gas and oil are always at the center of political drama and debate around the world. Pipelines flowed through some of the most politically charged areas on Earth. Much of our national policy, such as the war in Iraq, is dictated exclusively by oil prices. If you choose to invest in oil, you are putting yourself right in the middle of all of this.
On the other hand, investing in oil can make you wealth beyond your wildest dreams. Stock market investing can make money, but investing in oil is almost guaranteed to. Provided that the political situation remains stable and that OPEC doesn't pull some kind of surprising move that affects the whole oil industry, investing in national gas and oil will make you money anywhere on earth. Oil is so lucrative that the state of Alaska can afford to pay everyone thousands of dollars a year just for living there. All this money comes from the Alaskan oil pipeline, and it goes directly to the citizens of Alaska.
One of the great things about investing in oil is that, as the world oil supply shrinks and the value of oil continues to rise, your investment will be worth more and more. Inevitably, things will become destabilized. It does not pay to have all your money locked up in natural resource investments, but it sure does make sense to put some of it there. There are so many investment opportunities that I certainly would not suggest investing in oil as the only one you try, but it might just be a good place to start. After all, many opportunities for investing are rather hard to understand, but oil is easy. We need it to make cars run, we need it to transport our food, and we need to defend our country. It is something that is in limited supply, and is useful for everything. What more do you need to know?
Rare And Beautiful World Coins
Ideas for Collecting Coins from Around the World
Collecting world coins is a fun hobby that gives you the feeling of travelling the globe vicariously through your coins. A collection of world coins offers a unique insight into the culture and history of other countries, and encourages you to learn at least a few words of a variety of different languages. World coins can also be an interesting step into the world of coin collecting, because it is a relatively inexpensive pastime. Many of the coins are still in circulation, making them easy to find and light on the pocketbook to buy. Oftentimes, children start their coin collections with world coins for this reason.
Ideas for Collections of World Coins
While some people may enjoy collecting world coins haphazardly, simply enjoying whatever coins they happen to come across, others prefer more of a challenge. While it may be impossible to collect every coin from around the world, you can create a lovely coin collection that is challenging and fun to complete by selecting a particular theme to pursue.
The most obvious theme for a collection of world coins is a concentration on a specific country. If that idea seems a little bit stale, you can also broaden your collection by concentrating on a region or aspect of a country. For example, you could start a world coins collection from South American countries, nations where English is a national language, or from island nations.
Another interesting possibility is to combine two interests by concentrating on a favorite thing or hobby outside of coin collecting. For example, a coffee lover might collect world coins from countries that produce coffee beans, or an auto enthusiast might collect coins from countries that produce his or her favorite automobiles.
You dont have to use countries as a central point of your world coins collection, however; you can also build a collection around a specific motif on the coins themselves. Some people have collections of coins featuring a particular animal, such as an eagle or a panda bear. Others concentrate on flowers, trees, or birds. Someone interested in military history might enjoy a world coins collection featuring famous fighters, for example.
Another idea for starting a collection of world coins is to concentrate your efforts on coins from a particular year. Some people really enjoy collecting world coins that were minted in their birth year, or which commemorate another date that is important to them.
If none of those ideas appeal to you, perhaps youd like to concentrate on a specific metal used to make the world coins. While precious metals like gold and platinum are obvious choices, some people enjoy putting together collections of world coins minted from common nickel or copper.
If any of these ideas have inspired you to start a collection of world coins, you might want to pause a moment before you start building a collection, and check out the prices and availability of coins matching your desired theme. It wont be much fun to start a collection of gold bullion coins, only to realize that you cant afford more than one or two pieces. A few minutes with a world coins catalog will help you decide if your ideal theme for a collection is also feasible with your budget.
Ideas for Collecting Coins from Around the World
Collecting world coins is a fun hobby that gives you the feeling of travelling the globe vicariously through your coins. A collection of world coins offers a unique insight into the culture and history of other countries, and encourages you to learn at least a few words of a variety of different languages. World coins can also be an interesting step into the world of coin collecting, because it is a relatively inexpensive pastime. Many of the coins are still in circulation, making them easy to find and light on the pocketbook to buy. Oftentimes, children start their coin collections with world coins for this reason.
Ideas for Collections of World Coins
While some people may enjoy collecting world coins haphazardly, simply enjoying whatever coins they happen to come across, others prefer more of a challenge. While it may be impossible to collect every coin from around the world, you can create a lovely coin collection that is challenging and fun to complete by selecting a particular theme to pursue.
The most obvious theme for a collection of world coins is a concentration on a specific country. If that idea seems a little bit stale, you can also broaden your collection by concentrating on a region or aspect of a country. For example, you could start a world coins collection from South American countries, nations where English is a national language, or from island nations.
Another interesting possibility is to combine two interests by concentrating on a favorite thing or hobby outside of coin collecting. For example, a coffee lover might collect world coins from countries that produce coffee beans, or an auto enthusiast might collect coins from countries that produce his or her favorite automobiles.
You dont have to use countries as a central point of your world coins collection, however; you can also build a collection around a specific motif on the coins themselves. Some people have collections of coins featuring a particular animal, such as an eagle or a panda bear. Others concentrate on flowers, trees, or birds. Someone interested in military history might enjoy a world coins collection featuring famous fighters, for example.
Another idea for starting a collection of world coins is to concentrate your efforts on coins from a particular year. Some people really enjoy collecting world coins that were minted in their birth year, or which commemorate another date that is important to them.
If none of those ideas appeal to you, perhaps youd like to concentrate on a specific metal used to make the world coins. While precious metals like gold and platinum are obvious choices, some people enjoy putting together collections of world coins minted from common nickel or copper.
If any of these ideas have inspired you to start a collection of world coins, you might want to pause a moment before you start building a collection, and check out the prices and availability of coins matching your desired theme. It wont be much fun to start a collection of gold bullion coins, only to realize that you cant afford more than one or two pieces. A few minutes with a world coins catalog will help you decide if your ideal theme for a collection is also feasible with your budget.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Gold and Silver Maple Leafs Get New Packaging
Gold Maple Leafs and Silver Maple Leafs are receiving packaging makeovers, changes clearly mandated by investor disfavor with packaging that the Royal Canadian Mint has used since the coins were introduced. Gold Maple Leafs debuted in 1979, Silver Maple Leafs in 1988. The changes appear to be good moves, which should increase sales of Silver Maple Leafs and help keep Gold Maple Leafs the preferred pure (.9999 fine) gold bullion coins.
Since inception, 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs have been packaged ten to a tube. Because Maple Leafs are 24-karat, pure gold, they are soft, relative to alloyed gold coins, such as American Gold Eagles and Krugerrands. Further, because of the design of the coins and the tight-fitting tubes, it is difficult to remove, inspect, and reinsert 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs in their tubes without scratching the coins.
Actually, reinserting Gold Maple Leafs without at least some scratching is nearly impossible. Further, if the persons inspecting the coins do not know how easily the Gold Maple Leafs are damaged, needless damage often occurs while the coins are out their tubes.
Gold Maple Leafs carry the image of Queen Elizabeth II on the front, with a flat, clear field alongside the image. The backs have the outline of a maple leaf, hence the coins names. The problem arises from the coins really sharp milled (reeded) edges. When the coins are reinserted in their tubes, the milled edges often scratch the fields.
Then there is the problem with investors who like to heft their coins to get a feel of them. If they put four or five Gold Maple Leafs in the palms of their hands and clang them, the damage can be quite severe. Should a Gold Maple Leaf be dropped, rim damage is almost guaranteed.
As Gold Maple Leafs have been sold into the secondary market, damaged coins have become such a problem that Gold Maple Leafs have lost popularity with investors. The problem has become so widespread that many wholesalers bid only melt for Gold Maple Leafs, regardless of their condition. By paying only melt, wholesalers can profitably resell the coins for industrial or jewelry purposes if no buyers are found for the coins.
Gold Maple Leafs, like the Gold Eagles and the Krugerrands, are bullion coins, which trade for the value of their gold content, plus small premiums. Damaged Gold Maple Leafs do not mean a loss of gold; they contain an ounce of gold regardless of the scratching or rim nicks. Still, buyers do not like to receive damaged coins. This means that Gold Maple Leafs sold into the secondary market have to be evaluated for the degree of damage.
Some wholesalers refuse to take the time to individually inspect Gold Maple Leafs and separate them according to their condition. These are the wholesalers who generally will pay only melt for 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs, regardless of condition. Fortunately, the free market being what it is, there are still some wholesalers who will buy according to condition.
Yet the handwriting is on the wall: 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs in tubes will continue to lose popularity and probably will join Krugerrands, Mexican 50 Pesos, and Austrian 100 Coronas as basic bullion coins, which carry the smallest premiums in the bullion coin market. Still, the packaging makeover should fillip sales of new Gold Maple Leafs.
With the new packaging, each 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf will be encapsulated in plastic and suspended in the middle of a plastic card, somewhat as 1-oz gold bars are packaged. However, the plastic protecting the Gold Maple Leafs will be heavier and more durable than the plastic used with 1-oz gold bars. The new packaging should keep the coins from being easily damaged.
With the new packaging, the Royal Canadian Mint made another big change: 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs will now come 25 to a box, whereas the old packaging is ten to a tube. This change could further increase sales as 20 coins are common ordering units for gold bullion coins, because the worlds most popular gold bullion coinsAmerican Gold Eaglescome 20 to a tube. As a result of the change, investors wanting complete original packaging will move up to 25 ounces.
However, orders for small quantities mean the coins will have to be removed from their mint boxesbut still individually encapsulatedand put in other containers. The new packaging also will require more storage space for Gold Maple Leafs than for 1-oz gold coins that come in tubes.
Although 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs will be a little more cumbersome to handle, a large segment of the gold coin bullion market prefers pure gold coins. Gold Maple Leafs have long been the most popular 1-oz pure (.9999 fine or 24-karat) gold bullion coins on the market, and the new packaging should keep Gold Maple Leafs as the preferred 24-karat gold bullion coins. (The market for pure gold bullion coins is estimated to $2.4 billion annually.) The new packaging is expected to debut sometime in August.
New packaging for 1-oz Silver Maple Leafs has already been introduced. However, Silver Maple Leafs in their old packaging are still available. Since Silver Maple Leafs were introduced in 1988, they have been packaged twenty coins to a sheet, 200 coins in a box. Each coin was individually enclosed in plastic. The new packaging will be similar to the U.S. Mints Silver Eagles packaging.
Silver Maple Leafs will now come 20 to a tube, 25 tubes to a container, and 500 coins to a mint box. The new box will be made of durable heavy plastic, whereas the boxes of 200 are cardboard. The new packaging should make Silver Maple Leafs more competitive with American Silver Eagles, presently the most popular 1-oz modern silver bullion coins being sold.
Gold Maple Leafs and Silver Maple Leafs are receiving packaging makeovers, changes clearly mandated by investor disfavor with packaging that the Royal Canadian Mint has used since the coins were introduced. Gold Maple Leafs debuted in 1979, Silver Maple Leafs in 1988. The changes appear to be good moves, which should increase sales of Silver Maple Leafs and help keep Gold Maple Leafs the preferred pure (.9999 fine) gold bullion coins.
Since inception, 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs have been packaged ten to a tube. Because Maple Leafs are 24-karat, pure gold, they are soft, relative to alloyed gold coins, such as American Gold Eagles and Krugerrands. Further, because of the design of the coins and the tight-fitting tubes, it is difficult to remove, inspect, and reinsert 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs in their tubes without scratching the coins.
Actually, reinserting Gold Maple Leafs without at least some scratching is nearly impossible. Further, if the persons inspecting the coins do not know how easily the Gold Maple Leafs are damaged, needless damage often occurs while the coins are out their tubes.
Gold Maple Leafs carry the image of Queen Elizabeth II on the front, with a flat, clear field alongside the image. The backs have the outline of a maple leaf, hence the coins names. The problem arises from the coins really sharp milled (reeded) edges. When the coins are reinserted in their tubes, the milled edges often scratch the fields.
Then there is the problem with investors who like to heft their coins to get a feel of them. If they put four or five Gold Maple Leafs in the palms of their hands and clang them, the damage can be quite severe. Should a Gold Maple Leaf be dropped, rim damage is almost guaranteed.
As Gold Maple Leafs have been sold into the secondary market, damaged coins have become such a problem that Gold Maple Leafs have lost popularity with investors. The problem has become so widespread that many wholesalers bid only melt for Gold Maple Leafs, regardless of their condition. By paying only melt, wholesalers can profitably resell the coins for industrial or jewelry purposes if no buyers are found for the coins.
Gold Maple Leafs, like the Gold Eagles and the Krugerrands, are bullion coins, which trade for the value of their gold content, plus small premiums. Damaged Gold Maple Leafs do not mean a loss of gold; they contain an ounce of gold regardless of the scratching or rim nicks. Still, buyers do not like to receive damaged coins. This means that Gold Maple Leafs sold into the secondary market have to be evaluated for the degree of damage.
Some wholesalers refuse to take the time to individually inspect Gold Maple Leafs and separate them according to their condition. These are the wholesalers who generally will pay only melt for 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs, regardless of condition. Fortunately, the free market being what it is, there are still some wholesalers who will buy according to condition.
Yet the handwriting is on the wall: 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs in tubes will continue to lose popularity and probably will join Krugerrands, Mexican 50 Pesos, and Austrian 100 Coronas as basic bullion coins, which carry the smallest premiums in the bullion coin market. Still, the packaging makeover should fillip sales of new Gold Maple Leafs.
With the new packaging, each 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf will be encapsulated in plastic and suspended in the middle of a plastic card, somewhat as 1-oz gold bars are packaged. However, the plastic protecting the Gold Maple Leafs will be heavier and more durable than the plastic used with 1-oz gold bars. The new packaging should keep the coins from being easily damaged.
With the new packaging, the Royal Canadian Mint made another big change: 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs will now come 25 to a box, whereas the old packaging is ten to a tube. This change could further increase sales as 20 coins are common ordering units for gold bullion coins, because the worlds most popular gold bullion coinsAmerican Gold Eaglescome 20 to a tube. As a result of the change, investors wanting complete original packaging will move up to 25 ounces.
However, orders for small quantities mean the coins will have to be removed from their mint boxesbut still individually encapsulatedand put in other containers. The new packaging also will require more storage space for Gold Maple Leafs than for 1-oz gold coins that come in tubes.
Although 1-oz Gold Maple Leafs will be a little more cumbersome to handle, a large segment of the gold coin bullion market prefers pure gold coins. Gold Maple Leafs have long been the most popular 1-oz pure (.9999 fine or 24-karat) gold bullion coins on the market, and the new packaging should keep Gold Maple Leafs as the preferred 24-karat gold bullion coins. (The market for pure gold bullion coins is estimated to $2.4 billion annually.) The new packaging is expected to debut sometime in August.
New packaging for 1-oz Silver Maple Leafs has already been introduced. However, Silver Maple Leafs in their old packaging are still available. Since Silver Maple Leafs were introduced in 1988, they have been packaged twenty coins to a sheet, 200 coins in a box. Each coin was individually enclosed in plastic. The new packaging will be similar to the U.S. Mints Silver Eagles packaging.
Silver Maple Leafs will now come 20 to a tube, 25 tubes to a container, and 500 coins to a mint box. The new box will be made of durable heavy plastic, whereas the boxes of 200 are cardboard. The new packaging should make Silver Maple Leafs more competitive with American Silver Eagles, presently the most popular 1-oz modern silver bullion coins being sold.
E-Gold
E-gold is a digital currency, used extensively on the Internet for making payments in exchange for goods and services.
It is one of the first digital e-currency providers, having started in 1996. E-gold accounts are backed by actual physical gold, dollar for dollar. You can take delivery of the physical gold if you wish, although there is an additional handling charge.
The E-gold e-currency is tied directly to the value of gold, so it's not possible to use outside influences to affect the value of it... unless one has the ability to affect the spot price of gold. Being tied to the price of gold, e-gold accounts fluctuate up and down with the value of national currencies as they move with the spot price of gold.
While gold is the most popular precious metal digital currency in use, E-gold also offers the platinum, palladium and silver precious metals as digital currency.
Funding an e-currency account is the job of a third party called a Market Maker. A market maker is a merchant who exchanges national currencies for e-currencies, and places them in your online currency account. Similarly, they will buy your ecurrency and pay you in your national currency when you wish to exchange your egold for currency.
You can fund an e-gold with paypal, or buy e-gold with a credit card if you wish, though the market maker will charge up to 15% to do so. This is largely because of the cost to him of fraudulent charge backs.
E-currencies are now accepted fairly extensively by online merchants in exchange their products and services, mainly catering to people, who for whatever reason, don't have or can't get, a credit card.
E-gold is a digital currency, used extensively on the Internet for making payments in exchange for goods and services.
It is one of the first digital e-currency providers, having started in 1996. E-gold accounts are backed by actual physical gold, dollar for dollar. You can take delivery of the physical gold if you wish, although there is an additional handling charge.
The E-gold e-currency is tied directly to the value of gold, so it's not possible to use outside influences to affect the value of it... unless one has the ability to affect the spot price of gold. Being tied to the price of gold, e-gold accounts fluctuate up and down with the value of national currencies as they move with the spot price of gold.
While gold is the most popular precious metal digital currency in use, E-gold also offers the platinum, palladium and silver precious metals as digital currency.
Funding an e-currency account is the job of a third party called a Market Maker. A market maker is a merchant who exchanges national currencies for e-currencies, and places them in your online currency account. Similarly, they will buy your ecurrency and pay you in your national currency when you wish to exchange your egold for currency.
You can fund an e-gold with paypal, or buy e-gold with a credit card if you wish, though the market maker will charge up to 15% to do so. This is largely because of the cost to him of fraudulent charge backs.
E-currencies are now accepted fairly extensively by online merchants in exchange their products and services, mainly catering to people, who for whatever reason, don't have or can't get, a credit card.
Monday, May 28, 2007
What Is An Un-circulated Coin?
You may have heard the terms proof coin and un-circulated coin, but what's the difference between these two? To understand the difference between a proof and un-circulated coin, let's first answer the question, "What is an un-circulated coin?"
Un-circulated means a coin has not had any wear, such as the wear a coin might experience when it is used in commerce. Handling a coin, as well as improperly storing a coin, can result in wear on the surface of the coin. This wear, even if very minor, will cause a coin to no longer grade un-circulated.
When coins are minted they often bump into each other and receive small nicks and abrasion marks during the production process. These marks also occur as coins are transported in large canvas bags. These marks, sometimes called "bag marks", are more noticeable on larger coins, such as half dollars and dollars. Typical "bag marks" do not keep a coin from grading un-circulated. However, they can be an indicator of how high of a grade the un-circulated coin might receive.
Current accepted grading standards provide for a range of un-circulated grades, from the grade of MS-60 to MS-70. MS60 would be a lower grade (yet still) un-circulated coin with normal bag marks for that type of coin. Anything below MS-60 would not be considered un-circulated. MS70 would be the perfect "ideal" coin. Some coins are rare in grades MS65 to MS70, and even unheard of in MS70 grade. (The attribute "MS" stands for "mint state".)
A newly minted proof coin is also un-circulated, however it is the way it is made that causes a difference in appearance and qualifies it as a "proof". To understand this, let's look at how coins are made. Coins are produced when two dies strike a blank piece of metal with tremendous force. One die is engraved with the front (obverse) design for the coin. The other die has the back (reverse) coin design on it.
A proof coin is made with a specially polished and treated die! By treating the die in a special way, the coins it produces have a different appearance. Modern technology allows the high points on the coin design to be acid treated (on the die). The background (field) design of the coin die is polished, resulting in a mirror-like look on the coin it strikes. This gives the finished coin a frosted look (frosting) on the raise parts of the design, with a mirror like finish on the background. This contrasting finish is often called "cameo". On some older coins a cameo appearance is quite rare. The attribute "CAM", when added to a coin's description, means cameo appearance. "DCAM" means deep cameo, and indicates the cameo appearance is strong and easy to observe.
You may have heard the terms proof coin and un-circulated coin, but what's the difference between these two? To understand the difference between a proof and un-circulated coin, let's first answer the question, "What is an un-circulated coin?"
Un-circulated means a coin has not had any wear, such as the wear a coin might experience when it is used in commerce. Handling a coin, as well as improperly storing a coin, can result in wear on the surface of the coin. This wear, even if very minor, will cause a coin to no longer grade un-circulated.
When coins are minted they often bump into each other and receive small nicks and abrasion marks during the production process. These marks also occur as coins are transported in large canvas bags. These marks, sometimes called "bag marks", are more noticeable on larger coins, such as half dollars and dollars. Typical "bag marks" do not keep a coin from grading un-circulated. However, they can be an indicator of how high of a grade the un-circulated coin might receive.
Current accepted grading standards provide for a range of un-circulated grades, from the grade of MS-60 to MS-70. MS60 would be a lower grade (yet still) un-circulated coin with normal bag marks for that type of coin. Anything below MS-60 would not be considered un-circulated. MS70 would be the perfect "ideal" coin. Some coins are rare in grades MS65 to MS70, and even unheard of in MS70 grade. (The attribute "MS" stands for "mint state".)
A newly minted proof coin is also un-circulated, however it is the way it is made that causes a difference in appearance and qualifies it as a "proof". To understand this, let's look at how coins are made. Coins are produced when two dies strike a blank piece of metal with tremendous force. One die is engraved with the front (obverse) design for the coin. The other die has the back (reverse) coin design on it.
A proof coin is made with a specially polished and treated die! By treating the die in a special way, the coins it produces have a different appearance. Modern technology allows the high points on the coin design to be acid treated (on the die). The background (field) design of the coin die is polished, resulting in a mirror-like look on the coin it strikes. This gives the finished coin a frosted look (frosting) on the raise parts of the design, with a mirror like finish on the background. This contrasting finish is often called "cameo". On some older coins a cameo appearance is quite rare. The attribute "CAM", when added to a coin's description, means cameo appearance. "DCAM" means deep cameo, and indicates the cameo appearance is strong and easy to observe.
How to Invest in Coins and Precious Metals
With the numerous investment opportunities available in the world today, some of the most basic investments are often overlooked. Take for example the often-ignored art of investing in collectable metals such as rare coins, silver bars, and other precious metals. Literally practiced for centuries around the world, many investors are now beginning to see the advantages of investing their money in physical objects to complement the investments that they might make in the stock market or other investment fronts.
If you've ever considered investing in coins and precious metals or if you'd just like to learn more about this alternative to stock investment, then the information below should get you well on your way to making your first coin and precious metal investments.
Why Invest in Coins?
Coins are one of the oldest forms of currency, and some of the most lasting reminders of eras gone by. Some coins from ancient days are made of gold, silver, copper, or even clay, and can be easily identified by the pictures used by those who minted the coin as to when and where the coin was made.
Putting money into collectable coins can be a practical way to invest, since many of the coins that serious collectors purchase are quite rare and often are made of high-value materials which only increase their value. As no additional coins from the era of those you purchase are being minted and they become increasingly harder to find as years go by, the value of many coins continues to rise among private collectors. Complete sets of coins tend to bring more as a group than the individual coins that the set is made of, though some coins of exceptional rarity may surpass even that price.
The Practical Approach to Metal Investment
In addition to coins, many investors prefer to purchase precious metals such as gold or silver to add some security to their investment plan. Even when stocks and bonds fall in value, there will always be a market for certain metals especially those that can be used in jewelry and have been used as a basis for various economies.
Of course, just because something has value doesn't mean that you should use all of your investment money to buy it. When buying precious metals, you should always temper your investment with other forms of investment. This helps to protect you against theft, since there are no easily traceable methods of finding stolen gold or silver bars and coins.
One of the better ways to supplement these purchases is by investing in the index market, especially in the precious metals that are represented there. That way you can keep track of the value of the metals that you physically own, and reap an additional benefit from owning shares of the metal index as well.
Using Coins and Metals to Supplement Investments
Coins and precious metals can be used as a wonderful supplement to traditional investments, giving you something physical that can be relied upon in addition to the stocks and bonds that you might own. You might choose to invest in indexes as suggested above, or you might choose to use index investment as only a portion of a well-diversified investment portfolio.
Regardless of which you choose, dividing your money and applying some of it toward physical investments such as coins and metals can help to protect your investment money from losses while reaping you the greatest benefit.
You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:
With the numerous investment opportunities available in the world today, some of the most basic investments are often overlooked. Take for example the often-ignored art of investing in collectable metals such as rare coins, silver bars, and other precious metals. Literally practiced for centuries around the world, many investors are now beginning to see the advantages of investing their money in physical objects to complement the investments that they might make in the stock market or other investment fronts.
If you've ever considered investing in coins and precious metals or if you'd just like to learn more about this alternative to stock investment, then the information below should get you well on your way to making your first coin and precious metal investments.
Why Invest in Coins?
Coins are one of the oldest forms of currency, and some of the most lasting reminders of eras gone by. Some coins from ancient days are made of gold, silver, copper, or even clay, and can be easily identified by the pictures used by those who minted the coin as to when and where the coin was made.
Putting money into collectable coins can be a practical way to invest, since many of the coins that serious collectors purchase are quite rare and often are made of high-value materials which only increase their value. As no additional coins from the era of those you purchase are being minted and they become increasingly harder to find as years go by, the value of many coins continues to rise among private collectors. Complete sets of coins tend to bring more as a group than the individual coins that the set is made of, though some coins of exceptional rarity may surpass even that price.
The Practical Approach to Metal Investment
In addition to coins, many investors prefer to purchase precious metals such as gold or silver to add some security to their investment plan. Even when stocks and bonds fall in value, there will always be a market for certain metals especially those that can be used in jewelry and have been used as a basis for various economies.
Of course, just because something has value doesn't mean that you should use all of your investment money to buy it. When buying precious metals, you should always temper your investment with other forms of investment. This helps to protect you against theft, since there are no easily traceable methods of finding stolen gold or silver bars and coins.
One of the better ways to supplement these purchases is by investing in the index market, especially in the precious metals that are represented there. That way you can keep track of the value of the metals that you physically own, and reap an additional benefit from owning shares of the metal index as well.
Using Coins and Metals to Supplement Investments
Coins and precious metals can be used as a wonderful supplement to traditional investments, giving you something physical that can be relied upon in addition to the stocks and bonds that you might own. You might choose to invest in indexes as suggested above, or you might choose to use index investment as only a portion of a well-diversified investment portfolio.
Regardless of which you choose, dividing your money and applying some of it toward physical investments such as coins and metals can help to protect your investment money from losses while reaping you the greatest benefit.
You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Better Investing Made Easy
If there were one piece of advice that an investor could ask for, the question would probably be something like What do I need to do to invest better? Better investing choices are sought by investors every day. Some find them and succeed, others do not. The difference clearly lies in better investing, so investors are on the right track. They are, however, asking the wrong questions.
Instead of asking How can I make better investments, they should be asking How can I discern better investment choices? While everyone is looking for that one hot investment tip that will turn them on to the next Microsoft or Wal Mart type of investment, they should be looking into how they can discern those choices for themselves and thus make better investing decisions. All those people who did jump on Microsoft back in the eighties werent just lucky. Some of them were, but some had done their research and were able to realize that they were looking at an opportunity to invest in a company that would revolutionize the fledgling software industry.
Discerning choices for better investing starts with research. The savvy investor wont just read the features in The Wall Street Journal or the articles appearing at The Motley Fool web site, shell read them and then do a bit of research on the company being discussed. The more an investor knows about a potential investment, the easier it is to make the decision whether to invest.
No one can see the future, of course, and there are plenty of companies that look like good investment ideas that wind up falling flat on their proverbial faces. Better investing is not about scrying into a crystal ball; however, it is about using your own powers of discernment to determine which investment is the better choice.
A little luck helps too, of course.
If there were one piece of advice that an investor could ask for, the question would probably be something like What do I need to do to invest better? Better investing choices are sought by investors every day. Some find them and succeed, others do not. The difference clearly lies in better investing, so investors are on the right track. They are, however, asking the wrong questions.
Instead of asking How can I make better investments, they should be asking How can I discern better investment choices? While everyone is looking for that one hot investment tip that will turn them on to the next Microsoft or Wal Mart type of investment, they should be looking into how they can discern those choices for themselves and thus make better investing decisions. All those people who did jump on Microsoft back in the eighties werent just lucky. Some of them were, but some had done their research and were able to realize that they were looking at an opportunity to invest in a company that would revolutionize the fledgling software industry.
Discerning choices for better investing starts with research. The savvy investor wont just read the features in The Wall Street Journal or the articles appearing at The Motley Fool web site, shell read them and then do a bit of research on the company being discussed. The more an investor knows about a potential investment, the easier it is to make the decision whether to invest.
No one can see the future, of course, and there are plenty of companies that look like good investment ideas that wind up falling flat on their proverbial faces. Better investing is not about scrying into a crystal ball; however, it is about using your own powers of discernment to determine which investment is the better choice.
A little luck helps too, of course.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Everquest 2 Gold - A Virtual World with a Real-World Economy
If there's a demand for something, the market will respond. For proof, you need look no further than EverQuest 2 gold. Although EverQuest 2 gold has no existence in the real world and probably never will, for more than a year hordes of people have been buying it like it's going out of style.
How's that work again?
Back in 2001, a gamer named Edward Castronova noticed a curious thing: that the economy of his favorite game, the MMORPG called EverQuest, was doing better than the economies of a lot of real-world countries. Since Castronova was also a professional economist, he did a few calculations and came to the startling conclusion that people in Norrath, the EverQuest gameworld, have a better per-capita income than real-world Bulgarians. In fact, Norrath ranks as the 77th richest nation in the world -- or would if it were real. Real or not, EverQuest's platinum had become a valuable commodity on the Internet; and EverQuest 2 gold, the currency of the EverQuest sequel launched in late 2004, has become more valuable still.
The scramble for EverQuest 2 gold
It may seem like a fantasy (and a decade ago it would have been), but the rise of the Internet has made even virtual cash like EverQuest 2 gold worth trading. Internet commerce has become so simple that it's a snap to purchase EverQuest 2 gold online. Whereas EQ platinum goes for a mere $0.54 per thousand, you'll have to pay an average of $0.17 per EverQuest 2 gold -- and it takes 100 EverQuest 2 gold to make a platinum. Not too shabby, that. Of course the value of EverQuest 2 gold varies from day to day and from site to site.
If there's a demand for something, the market will respond. For proof, you need look no further than EverQuest 2 gold. Although EverQuest 2 gold has no existence in the real world and probably never will, for more than a year hordes of people have been buying it like it's going out of style.
How's that work again?
Back in 2001, a gamer named Edward Castronova noticed a curious thing: that the economy of his favorite game, the MMORPG called EverQuest, was doing better than the economies of a lot of real-world countries. Since Castronova was also a professional economist, he did a few calculations and came to the startling conclusion that people in Norrath, the EverQuest gameworld, have a better per-capita income than real-world Bulgarians. In fact, Norrath ranks as the 77th richest nation in the world -- or would if it were real. Real or not, EverQuest's platinum had become a valuable commodity on the Internet; and EverQuest 2 gold, the currency of the EverQuest sequel launched in late 2004, has become more valuable still.
The scramble for EverQuest 2 gold
It may seem like a fantasy (and a decade ago it would have been), but the rise of the Internet has made even virtual cash like EverQuest 2 gold worth trading. Internet commerce has become so simple that it's a snap to purchase EverQuest 2 gold online. Whereas EQ platinum goes for a mere $0.54 per thousand, you'll have to pay an average of $0.17 per EverQuest 2 gold -- and it takes 100 EverQuest 2 gold to make a platinum. Not too shabby, that. Of course the value of EverQuest 2 gold varies from day to day and from site to site.
Silver - The Magical Metal
Silver is an element that has been used for thousands of years. Silver has been used as money. During one of the world wars, silver was used occasionally for wiring in electronic devices. I have heard that one of the atomic bombs, that was used in World War 2 contained silver wiring. That makes silver very famous, or infamous. Silver has also been used in photography for many years.
There is another use for silver though, which has pretty much been forgotten about. Before antibiotics were discovered, silver was used to treat infectious diseases and infected wounds. Years before antibiotics, silver solutions were used to kill micro organisms. The solution of silver is called colloidal silver.
Colloidal silver is made using electricity. Thin strips of silver are attached to wires and suspended in pure distilled water. The metal you use must be pure, 100% silver. The wires are connected to several batteries or a high voltage source of electricity. The silver breaks down in the water, into an ion form, and is suspended in the water. The electricity causes the silver to mix with the water at a microscopic level. The tiny microscopic particles of silver are electrically charged and suspended in the water. Often the color of a colloidal silver solution is light yellow, with an almost golden tint.
Colloidal silver is described by the FDA as being a pre-1938 drug. It is still legal to advertise, sell and use colloidal silver for the same treatments used at that time. It is thought that colloidal silver, destroys viruses, fungi, bacteria or other micro organisms by turning off their oxygen metabolism enzyme. Without receiving the oxygen the organism needs, it will die.
It is likely that this property was first found when someone dropped a pure silver coin in a cup of milk, and came back much later to find the milk still fresh and good to drink.
Silver coins come in two types, numismatic and bullion coins. Bullion coins are made of the pure metal so a silver bullion coin would be close to 100% silver content. Numismatic coins are not pure metal coins. They are made of an alloy, a mixture of metals. Their value is derived more from their rarity, than their metal content.
The advantage to using real silver or gold coins as a monetary system, the way it was done in the old days, is that they have real value in themselves. The silver or gold has its own value, and is recognised as having real value. Contrast that with paper money, which only has an artificial value placed on it by the governmental body which issued the bank note. A note legally speaking is an instrument of debt, the opposite of what money should be. A note indicates someone owes something to by paid to another person.
Silver is a wondrous metal. It is almost magical. It has value in itself. It can help capture an image, help show your reflection in a mirror, kill what is making you sick and at a pinch wire your electronic devices.
Silver is an element that has been used for thousands of years. Silver has been used as money. During one of the world wars, silver was used occasionally for wiring in electronic devices. I have heard that one of the atomic bombs, that was used in World War 2 contained silver wiring. That makes silver very famous, or infamous. Silver has also been used in photography for many years.
There is another use for silver though, which has pretty much been forgotten about. Before antibiotics were discovered, silver was used to treat infectious diseases and infected wounds. Years before antibiotics, silver solutions were used to kill micro organisms. The solution of silver is called colloidal silver.
Colloidal silver is made using electricity. Thin strips of silver are attached to wires and suspended in pure distilled water. The metal you use must be pure, 100% silver. The wires are connected to several batteries or a high voltage source of electricity. The silver breaks down in the water, into an ion form, and is suspended in the water. The electricity causes the silver to mix with the water at a microscopic level. The tiny microscopic particles of silver are electrically charged and suspended in the water. Often the color of a colloidal silver solution is light yellow, with an almost golden tint.
Colloidal silver is described by the FDA as being a pre-1938 drug. It is still legal to advertise, sell and use colloidal silver for the same treatments used at that time. It is thought that colloidal silver, destroys viruses, fungi, bacteria or other micro organisms by turning off their oxygen metabolism enzyme. Without receiving the oxygen the organism needs, it will die.
It is likely that this property was first found when someone dropped a pure silver coin in a cup of milk, and came back much later to find the milk still fresh and good to drink.
Silver coins come in two types, numismatic and bullion coins. Bullion coins are made of the pure metal so a silver bullion coin would be close to 100% silver content. Numismatic coins are not pure metal coins. They are made of an alloy, a mixture of metals. Their value is derived more from their rarity, than their metal content.
The advantage to using real silver or gold coins as a monetary system, the way it was done in the old days, is that they have real value in themselves. The silver or gold has its own value, and is recognised as having real value. Contrast that with paper money, which only has an artificial value placed on it by the governmental body which issued the bank note. A note legally speaking is an instrument of debt, the opposite of what money should be. A note indicates someone owes something to by paid to another person.
Silver is a wondrous metal. It is almost magical. It has value in itself. It can help capture an image, help show your reflection in a mirror, kill what is making you sick and at a pinch wire your electronic devices.
Friday, May 25, 2007
May is Gold Month: Important Tips for Capitalizing on Gold Month Promotions
Jewelry retailers across the country are gearing up for May 1, the official start of gold month 2006. Since 2004, jewelers have used May as a platform to reach customers considering purchases for Mothers Day, graduation, first communion, confirmation and the bridal season. In addition to the gift-giving opportunities, the campaign is also designed to inspire self-purchase, encouraging customers to update their spring and summer wardrobe with new styles of gold jewelry.
Retailers should think beyond products when they are considering ways to attract new business during gold month 2006. Because the May is Gold Month event is really still in its infancy, it is important to establish an in-store theme to inform customers of the occasion, and any promotions the store is running in conjunction.
Here are a few tips to consider when preparing to attract new business during gold month this year:
Tell the World: Use retail signs in and outside the jewelry store to advertise gold month to people passing by. If customers are out shopping for a unique gift, they will be more likely to visit your jewelry store if theres a retail sign telling them about your promotion.
Show them What Youve Got: Consider a specialty jewelry display case that showcases a wide array of items featured for gold month. A special display case will be beneficial well beyond a gold month promotion. It will allow your store to highlight hand picked products for special events throughout the year.
Send the Message Home: Reinforce the gold month theme by using all gold colored jewelry packaging in the month of May. Consider custom printed jewelry boxes, shopping bags and gift bags, as well as the packaging extras like ribbons and bows to keep your store and gold month fresh in the customers mind.
May is Gold Month is your opportunity to set your company aside and capitalize on a customer base that is ready to buy. Be at your best by creating an environment that brings them in and keeps them coming back throughout the year. For additional inspiring ideas and products for your jewelry store, visit
www.nu-era.com.
Jewelry retailers across the country are gearing up for May 1, the official start of gold month 2006. Since 2004, jewelers have used May as a platform to reach customers considering purchases for Mothers Day, graduation, first communion, confirmation and the bridal season. In addition to the gift-giving opportunities, the campaign is also designed to inspire self-purchase, encouraging customers to update their spring and summer wardrobe with new styles of gold jewelry.
Retailers should think beyond products when they are considering ways to attract new business during gold month 2006. Because the May is Gold Month event is really still in its infancy, it is important to establish an in-store theme to inform customers of the occasion, and any promotions the store is running in conjunction.
Here are a few tips to consider when preparing to attract new business during gold month this year:
Tell the World: Use retail signs in and outside the jewelry store to advertise gold month to people passing by. If customers are out shopping for a unique gift, they will be more likely to visit your jewelry store if theres a retail sign telling them about your promotion.
Show them What Youve Got: Consider a specialty jewelry display case that showcases a wide array of items featured for gold month. A special display case will be beneficial well beyond a gold month promotion. It will allow your store to highlight hand picked products for special events throughout the year.
Send the Message Home: Reinforce the gold month theme by using all gold colored jewelry packaging in the month of May. Consider custom printed jewelry boxes, shopping bags and gift bags, as well as the packaging extras like ribbons and bows to keep your store and gold month fresh in the customers mind.
May is Gold Month is your opportunity to set your company aside and capitalize on a customer base that is ready to buy. Be at your best by creating an environment that brings them in and keeps them coming back throughout the year. For additional inspiring ideas and products for your jewelry store, visit
www.nu-era.com.
Pampering Your Pet with Gold Dog Tags
Why would your dog care what her tag is made out of? Well, thats not the point.
You want to pay all the attention you can to your dog. Seeing a gold dog tag on your pet will remind you that your dog is precious, and let others know exactly how much you care for him. Just think about it: if you had guests over, and they saw a piece of cardboard with illegible ballpoint scrawls, hanging by a natty piece of twine wrapped loosely around your dogs neck, your guests will feel rather sorry for your dog. They will think you probably feed him empty soda cans for breakfast and a bowl of insects for dinner. They will think that you sometimes chain him to the trailer hitch of your truck and drive away just for kicks. And then how could they respect you as a dog owner? They might call Animal Protection on you.
If you can afford gold dog tags, why not pamper your dog? A gold dog tag is indeed one of the finer things in life. Just as you would dress yourself up to go out, you can add sparkle and class to your class act dog.
Gold dog tags come in various karats and qualities. They come as small as a stud earring, or as large as the gaudiest of necklaces. Gold dog tags generally range from $225 to thousands of dollars, depending on the quality. You can get a simple yet beautiful yellow gold tag $300; or you can go all out, with an 18-karat tag with embedded jewels or diamonds. No matter what your taste or budget, a gold dog tag can give your dog a touch of elegance that also reflects well on you.
Why would your dog care what her tag is made out of? Well, thats not the point.
You want to pay all the attention you can to your dog. Seeing a gold dog tag on your pet will remind you that your dog is precious, and let others know exactly how much you care for him. Just think about it: if you had guests over, and they saw a piece of cardboard with illegible ballpoint scrawls, hanging by a natty piece of twine wrapped loosely around your dogs neck, your guests will feel rather sorry for your dog. They will think you probably feed him empty soda cans for breakfast and a bowl of insects for dinner. They will think that you sometimes chain him to the trailer hitch of your truck and drive away just for kicks. And then how could they respect you as a dog owner? They might call Animal Protection on you.
If you can afford gold dog tags, why not pamper your dog? A gold dog tag is indeed one of the finer things in life. Just as you would dress yourself up to go out, you can add sparkle and class to your class act dog.
Gold dog tags come in various karats and qualities. They come as small as a stud earring, or as large as the gaudiest of necklaces. Gold dog tags generally range from $225 to thousands of dollars, depending on the quality. You can get a simple yet beautiful yellow gold tag $300; or you can go all out, with an 18-karat tag with embedded jewels or diamonds. No matter what your taste or budget, a gold dog tag can give your dog a touch of elegance that also reflects well on you.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
silver dollar coins
Most of us would prefer our money in paper bill form, but for most of our history, United States money came in coins. For the average person, dollar coins were the most popular and the widest circulated. Although Dollar coins have been minted in the United States in silver, others have been made in gold and in other base metal versions. Gold and gold-colored dollars have also been produced by the United States. The current Sacagawea dollar is usually referred to as "golden".
The United States Mint first released silver dollar coins, the first dollar coins issued, in 1794. Nowadays, the term “silver dollar coins” usually refers to any dollar coins regardless of the metal used. Most people call coins made of white metal and worth one-dollar, silver dollar coins but that is not accurate. The term silver dollar may refer to any white metal coin issued by the United States with a face value of one dollar. Some insist that a dollar coin is not a silver dollar unless it contains some of that metal.
The history of silver dollar coins is very extensive and many variations have been produced over the years. From 1794 until 1836, the United States Mint produced millions of silver dollar coins. The 1804 silver dollar is one of the rarest and valuable coins in the world. Coin collectors highly prize all silver dollar coins from this period.
Some of the different types of silver dollar coins include the Flowing Hair version, the Draped Bust style, and the Gobrecht dollar. The dollar coins made with silver that most people are familiar with are the Seated Liberty coin and the Peace Dollar. The Peace Dollar, produced before and during the Great Depression, was still in popular circulation even after World War II. Silver dollar coins have always been a rich part of the United States monetary heritage.
Attempts to revive dollar coins, even without the silver content, have failed in the last past of the twentieth century. The last time people took to silver dollar coins was the Eisenhower dollar made in the 1970’s. A further attempt to get people to use dollar coins was tried with the Anthony dollar in 1980. Nobody wanted it. People had become too used to folding money. The Sacagawea dollar in a gold color, and therefore not really a silver dollar coin, started to be circulated in 2000.
Other countries such as Canada, Great Britain, and Australia have had better success with their own versions of dollar coins. Of course, they forced people to use these coins as they withdrew the paper money in circulation for their one unit currency.
Most of us would prefer our money in paper bill form, but for most of our history, United States money came in coins. For the average person, dollar coins were the most popular and the widest circulated. Although Dollar coins have been minted in the United States in silver, others have been made in gold and in other base metal versions. Gold and gold-colored dollars have also been produced by the United States. The current Sacagawea dollar is usually referred to as "golden".
The United States Mint first released silver dollar coins, the first dollar coins issued, in 1794. Nowadays, the term “silver dollar coins” usually refers to any dollar coins regardless of the metal used. Most people call coins made of white metal and worth one-dollar, silver dollar coins but that is not accurate. The term silver dollar may refer to any white metal coin issued by the United States with a face value of one dollar. Some insist that a dollar coin is not a silver dollar unless it contains some of that metal.
The history of silver dollar coins is very extensive and many variations have been produced over the years. From 1794 until 1836, the United States Mint produced millions of silver dollar coins. The 1804 silver dollar is one of the rarest and valuable coins in the world. Coin collectors highly prize all silver dollar coins from this period.
Some of the different types of silver dollar coins include the Flowing Hair version, the Draped Bust style, and the Gobrecht dollar. The dollar coins made with silver that most people are familiar with are the Seated Liberty coin and the Peace Dollar. The Peace Dollar, produced before and during the Great Depression, was still in popular circulation even after World War II. Silver dollar coins have always been a rich part of the United States monetary heritage.
Attempts to revive dollar coins, even without the silver content, have failed in the last past of the twentieth century. The last time people took to silver dollar coins was the Eisenhower dollar made in the 1970’s. A further attempt to get people to use dollar coins was tried with the Anthony dollar in 1980. Nobody wanted it. People had become too used to folding money. The Sacagawea dollar in a gold color, and therefore not really a silver dollar coin, started to be circulated in 2000.
Other countries such as Canada, Great Britain, and Australia have had better success with their own versions of dollar coins. Of course, they forced people to use these coins as they withdrew the paper money in circulation for their one unit currency.
Coin Collecting: What And When To Buy
(NC)-Three basic rules here: buy what you like, buy what you can afford, and buy at a reasonable price. Follow this advice and you'll enjoy your coins more, you won't pay too much for them and you won't go bankrupt. Your collection should be fun to own, not a burden on the family finances. The best way to get good deals, and avoid the bad ones, is to pick up some standard reference catalogues and study the pricing very carefully. As a rule, it's better to own one high quality coin than a bunch of mediocre ones.
As for when to buy, coin collecting represents a wonderful way to commemorate great events in your life; you could buy a coin to celebrate your child's graduation, or a new baby. You can also buy coins to mark historic events such as the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
For more information on coin collecting and what to buy, visit the Royal Canadian Mint website at www.mint.ca.
- News Canada
(NC)-Three basic rules here: buy what you like, buy what you can afford, and buy at a reasonable price. Follow this advice and you'll enjoy your coins more, you won't pay too much for them and you won't go bankrupt. Your collection should be fun to own, not a burden on the family finances. The best way to get good deals, and avoid the bad ones, is to pick up some standard reference catalogues and study the pricing very carefully. As a rule, it's better to own one high quality coin than a bunch of mediocre ones.
As for when to buy, coin collecting represents a wonderful way to commemorate great events in your life; you could buy a coin to celebrate your child's graduation, or a new baby. You can also buy coins to mark historic events such as the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
For more information on coin collecting and what to buy, visit the Royal Canadian Mint website at www.mint.ca.
- News Canada
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
investing in the stock market
As a financial planner, I have to dispel a lot of myths that people believe in. Everyone is looking for the best deal. Everyone wants to get rich quickly. It is not just a selfish dream, either. They want the best for themselves and for their families. When people think about investing in the stock market, they picture instant fame and fortune, or instant financial ruin. They do not realize what it is really like to invest in the stock market. These dreams of instant fame and fortune, while appealing, are ultimately self-defeating. If you want a successful stock market investment, you must proceed from a levelheaded position. You will make money, but you have to be willing to make it slowly and safely. Otherwise, you can lose it all.
My specialty is investing long term. Short term trading, it is true, can be lucrative, but it can also be dangerous. This is where most of the danger of investing in the stock market comes in. Although there is no such thing as a completely safe investment, there are some that come pretty close. Investing in mutual funds market, for example, if they are carefully chosen, is almost a sure bet.
The problem is that the more risk that you take, the bigger the payoffs. When people first start investing in the stock market, they do not want to sit on their money and watch it grow slowly. For many, this is much more agonizing than when it was in a bank account and did not move accrue any interest at all. I always advise these people to diversify their portfolios.
When you invest in the stock market, you should invest some of your money in high-yield, short term trades. Basically, you buy low and sell as soon as the stock hits a certain point. For long-term investing in the stock market, a much different approach is needed. You need to find stocks that will continue to do well for years to come. You can make a lot of interest off of investing in stocks like these. The point isn't really to sell them when they get high – although you certainly don't want to sell low! The point is to make money off of the interest that you accrue from the stocks. You can use the money that you make for further investing in the stock market, or you can put it away as profits.
As a financial planner, I have to dispel a lot of myths that people believe in. Everyone is looking for the best deal. Everyone wants to get rich quickly. It is not just a selfish dream, either. They want the best for themselves and for their families. When people think about investing in the stock market, they picture instant fame and fortune, or instant financial ruin. They do not realize what it is really like to invest in the stock market. These dreams of instant fame and fortune, while appealing, are ultimately self-defeating. If you want a successful stock market investment, you must proceed from a levelheaded position. You will make money, but you have to be willing to make it slowly and safely. Otherwise, you can lose it all.
My specialty is investing long term. Short term trading, it is true, can be lucrative, but it can also be dangerous. This is where most of the danger of investing in the stock market comes in. Although there is no such thing as a completely safe investment, there are some that come pretty close. Investing in mutual funds market, for example, if they are carefully chosen, is almost a sure bet.
The problem is that the more risk that you take, the bigger the payoffs. When people first start investing in the stock market, they do not want to sit on their money and watch it grow slowly. For many, this is much more agonizing than when it was in a bank account and did not move accrue any interest at all. I always advise these people to diversify their portfolios.
When you invest in the stock market, you should invest some of your money in high-yield, short term trades. Basically, you buy low and sell as soon as the stock hits a certain point. For long-term investing in the stock market, a much different approach is needed. You need to find stocks that will continue to do well for years to come. You can make a lot of interest off of investing in stocks like these. The point isn't really to sell them when they get high – although you certainly don't want to sell low! The point is to make money off of the interest that you accrue from the stocks. You can use the money that you make for further investing in the stock market, or you can put it away as profits.
World Of Warcraft Gold - Cheap Wow Gold - Where To Farm For It
Seems everyone is asking "where is the place for gold?" or "I'm broke and need gold fast, please tell me where?" This article should help you out. Here I will list just some of the methods because there are too many to write but farming or getting world of warcraft gold is EASY! Think outside of the box...
You can farm normal rock elementals in the south, middle edge of The Badlands zone (nestled in a small valley). They drop a lot of grey loot that vendors for 50silver to 1.5 World Of Warcraft Gold and drop it every other kill. They also drop ELEMENTAL EARTH which sells on the ah for 1-3 World Of Warcraft Gold A PIECE. Average drop of the earths is 1 out of 17.
You can farm elemental slaves on the west side of Alterac mountains (horde only) for the chance to get elemental earths (1 out of 15 kills). Goes for 1-3 World Of Warcraft Gold a piece on Auction House.
Can farm elemental exiles on the southwest area of Arathi Highlands for elemental earths. Same 1-3 World Of Warcraft Gold per earth on AH.
Can farm Dabryie's farm in Arathi Highlands (horde only) for 30 npcs of 2-6 silver each on 3-5 minute spawn timers. Often times not camped. Easily can generate 1-5 World Of Warcraft Gold an hour, more if you are an AOE class.
Can farm Go'Shek farm in Arathi Highlands (alliance only) for 30-40 npcs of 2-6 silver each on 3-5 minute spawn timers. Often times not camped. Easily can generate 1-5 World Of Warcraft Gold an hour, more if you are an AOE class.
You can area of effect the scarlet monastery graveyard (in Tristfall glades northeast corner of map) for a good 2silver - 6 silver per kill. An aoe class can easily farm and reset the instance for a good 30-60 World Of Warcraft Gold an hour.
You can farm warpwoods and deadwoods (funny, walking tree treant guys) for 2-10 silver, rare herb drops that sell for 1-5 World Of Warcraft Gold EACH, major healing potions (sells for 1-1.5 World Of Warcraft Gold each on my server), and Living Essences (sells for 8-14 World Of Warcraft Gold EACH on AH!). The warpwoods are located on the north side of Felwood zone near the alliance flight path person. The deadwoods are located just southwest of where the warpwoods are. I made an easy 40-80 World Of Warcraft Gold an hour depending on AH prices with my 60 PALADIN. If you have any other faster dps class, you can EASILY get DOUBLE the World Of Warcraft Gold per hour I got (I should've rolled a different class.... *cries*).
You can farm twilight hammer elites in Searing Gorge. They are located JUST WEST of the alliance/horde flightpoints. You can easily get 3-5 mageweave cloth per drop and about 2silver-16 silver per kill, with 9/10 silver being the most common drop of coin. Easily can make 10 World Of Warcraft Gold per hour off coin drops and 5-20 World Of Warcraft Gold per hour off the green and mageweave drops.
And there are many more spots if you take the time to look. This short list should help you.
Seems everyone is asking "where is the place for gold?" or "I'm broke and need gold fast, please tell me where?" This article should help you out. Here I will list just some of the methods because there are too many to write but farming or getting world of warcraft gold is EASY! Think outside of the box...
You can farm normal rock elementals in the south, middle edge of The Badlands zone (nestled in a small valley). They drop a lot of grey loot that vendors for 50silver to 1.5 World Of Warcraft Gold and drop it every other kill. They also drop ELEMENTAL EARTH which sells on the ah for 1-3 World Of Warcraft Gold A PIECE. Average drop of the earths is 1 out of 17.
You can farm elemental slaves on the west side of Alterac mountains (horde only) for the chance to get elemental earths (1 out of 15 kills). Goes for 1-3 World Of Warcraft Gold a piece on Auction House.
Can farm elemental exiles on the southwest area of Arathi Highlands for elemental earths. Same 1-3 World Of Warcraft Gold per earth on AH.
Can farm Dabryie's farm in Arathi Highlands (horde only) for 30 npcs of 2-6 silver each on 3-5 minute spawn timers. Often times not camped. Easily can generate 1-5 World Of Warcraft Gold an hour, more if you are an AOE class.
Can farm Go'Shek farm in Arathi Highlands (alliance only) for 30-40 npcs of 2-6 silver each on 3-5 minute spawn timers. Often times not camped. Easily can generate 1-5 World Of Warcraft Gold an hour, more if you are an AOE class.
You can area of effect the scarlet monastery graveyard (in Tristfall glades northeast corner of map) for a good 2silver - 6 silver per kill. An aoe class can easily farm and reset the instance for a good 30-60 World Of Warcraft Gold an hour.
You can farm warpwoods and deadwoods (funny, walking tree treant guys) for 2-10 silver, rare herb drops that sell for 1-5 World Of Warcraft Gold EACH, major healing potions (sells for 1-1.5 World Of Warcraft Gold each on my server), and Living Essences (sells for 8-14 World Of Warcraft Gold EACH on AH!). The warpwoods are located on the north side of Felwood zone near the alliance flight path person. The deadwoods are located just southwest of where the warpwoods are. I made an easy 40-80 World Of Warcraft Gold an hour depending on AH prices with my 60 PALADIN. If you have any other faster dps class, you can EASILY get DOUBLE the World Of Warcraft Gold per hour I got (I should've rolled a different class.... *cries*).
You can farm twilight hammer elites in Searing Gorge. They are located JUST WEST of the alliance/horde flightpoints. You can easily get 3-5 mageweave cloth per drop and about 2silver-16 silver per kill, with 9/10 silver being the most common drop of coin. Easily can make 10 World Of Warcraft Gold per hour off coin drops and 5-20 World Of Warcraft Gold per hour off the green and mageweave drops.
And there are many more spots if you take the time to look. This short list should help you.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Coin Collecting - The Top 10 List
Coin collecting. An associate of mine remembers receiving as a child a big paper bag of old US silver dollars, some going back as far as the late 1890s. Sometime between then and today he has misplaced that old paper bag. To this day he wonders if any of those coins might have been worth something.
There is no arguing that coin collecting is one of the biggest and most expensive hobbies in the world. The price tags of some old coins would turn your hair grey. In this article we're going to review the 10 most rare coins in existence. Wait until you see what some of these are going for.
Starting at number 10, there are the "proof gold" coins. Today the mint strikes millions of these coins every year and sells them to collectors from all over the world. However in the 19th century the mint struck only a few thousand of these each year and only a handful of proof gold coins. These are very rare and very expensive and sell very well in good and bad market times.
At number 9 we have early US gold coins struck between 1795 and 1834. These were minted in denominations of $2.50 $5 and $10. Today these coins are very rare in any condition and super rare in mint condition.
Coming in at number 8 we have the Liberty Seated Dollars. These coins are said to be the most beautiful ever made and one of the rarest of the 19th century coins. Both circulation strikes and proofs are very rare.
Hitting the chart at number 7 we have a very odd coin that was minted between 1875 and 1878. These were twenty cent pieces. Unfortunately the coin looked too much like a quarter to catch on with the public and there was no real commercial need for the denomination. Today they are highly prized collectors items. These coins today are very rare in top condition.
Number 6 on the coin hit parade are the Barber half dollars. These were minted between 1892 and 1915. They are one of the coin markets most important issues. They are collected by both "date" and "type" collectors and are the rarest of the 20th century silver type issues. These are very rare coins and to find one in gem condition is a once in a lifetime occurrence.
Midway up the chart at number 5 is the 1917 Type One Standing Liberty Quarter. This coin was made for only 2 years. The exposed breast of Miss Liberty caused such a commotion that they had to radically change the design midway through 1917. Since the 1916 is a 5 figure rarity (in the 10's of thousands of dollars) this coin is essentially a one year issue.
At number 4 are the Mercury Dimes. Even though this dime was minted between 1916 and 1945 proofs were made only between 1936 and 1942. Mercury dimes minted between 1940 and 1945 are actually reasonably priced and sell for about $50 a piece. The proofs are a little more expensive.
Just 2 spots from the top at number 3 is the Walking Liberty half dollar. This is also one of the world's most beautiful coins and extremely popular with coin buyers. These coins are very hard to find in mint condition. All five of the issues between 1941 and 1945 have made the all time rare coins price list.
Falling just short of number 1 at number 2 is the Texas Commemorative Half Dollar. This is actually the number 1 commemorative coin on the all time rare coins price list. Between 1934 and 1938 about 150,000 of these coins were minted. Only about 60 to 80% of those have survived to this day and only 50% of those grade MS65 or better. So this is indeed not only an extremely rare coin but actually considered scarce.
Finally coming in at number 1 is the Saint Gaudens. This $20 piece is probably the world's most well known coin. It is one of the most beautiful coin designs in history. This is one of the few coins that didn't drop in price during the 1980-1982 bear market.
In a future article we'll cover how coin collectors go about getting rare coins and where they can be found both on and off line.
Coin collecting. An associate of mine remembers receiving as a child a big paper bag of old US silver dollars, some going back as far as the late 1890s. Sometime between then and today he has misplaced that old paper bag. To this day he wonders if any of those coins might have been worth something.
There is no arguing that coin collecting is one of the biggest and most expensive hobbies in the world. The price tags of some old coins would turn your hair grey. In this article we're going to review the 10 most rare coins in existence. Wait until you see what some of these are going for.
Starting at number 10, there are the "proof gold" coins. Today the mint strikes millions of these coins every year and sells them to collectors from all over the world. However in the 19th century the mint struck only a few thousand of these each year and only a handful of proof gold coins. These are very rare and very expensive and sell very well in good and bad market times.
At number 9 we have early US gold coins struck between 1795 and 1834. These were minted in denominations of $2.50 $5 and $10. Today these coins are very rare in any condition and super rare in mint condition.
Coming in at number 8 we have the Liberty Seated Dollars. These coins are said to be the most beautiful ever made and one of the rarest of the 19th century coins. Both circulation strikes and proofs are very rare.
Hitting the chart at number 7 we have a very odd coin that was minted between 1875 and 1878. These were twenty cent pieces. Unfortunately the coin looked too much like a quarter to catch on with the public and there was no real commercial need for the denomination. Today they are highly prized collectors items. These coins today are very rare in top condition.
Number 6 on the coin hit parade are the Barber half dollars. These were minted between 1892 and 1915. They are one of the coin markets most important issues. They are collected by both "date" and "type" collectors and are the rarest of the 20th century silver type issues. These are very rare coins and to find one in gem condition is a once in a lifetime occurrence.
Midway up the chart at number 5 is the 1917 Type One Standing Liberty Quarter. This coin was made for only 2 years. The exposed breast of Miss Liberty caused such a commotion that they had to radically change the design midway through 1917. Since the 1916 is a 5 figure rarity (in the 10's of thousands of dollars) this coin is essentially a one year issue.
At number 4 are the Mercury Dimes. Even though this dime was minted between 1916 and 1945 proofs were made only between 1936 and 1942. Mercury dimes minted between 1940 and 1945 are actually reasonably priced and sell for about $50 a piece. The proofs are a little more expensive.
Just 2 spots from the top at number 3 is the Walking Liberty half dollar. This is also one of the world's most beautiful coins and extremely popular with coin buyers. These coins are very hard to find in mint condition. All five of the issues between 1941 and 1945 have made the all time rare coins price list.
Falling just short of number 1 at number 2 is the Texas Commemorative Half Dollar. This is actually the number 1 commemorative coin on the all time rare coins price list. Between 1934 and 1938 about 150,000 of these coins were minted. Only about 60 to 80% of those have survived to this day and only 50% of those grade MS65 or better. So this is indeed not only an extremely rare coin but actually considered scarce.
Finally coming in at number 1 is the Saint Gaudens. This $20 piece is probably the world's most well known coin. It is one of the most beautiful coin designs in history. This is one of the few coins that didn't drop in price during the 1980-1982 bear market.
In a future article we'll cover how coin collectors go about getting rare coins and where they can be found both on and off line.
Investing Tips for Beginners
Investing can be confusing, especially for the beginner. Getting some basic tips can help a beginning investor to make informed choices that fit their needs. Each person has a different goal when investing and that plays a big impact on how you invest. The following list explains some things beginners should know before investing.
1. Understand that there are no set rules for investing. There are no guarantees and no perfect way to invest.
2. Make informed choices. Before investing in any way you should completely understand how your investment will work and all of the details of the transaction.
3. Make a simple plan to determine your goals and needs. This will help you to determine what investments to make and how much money to invest.
These three tips are great for general investing, but many people are looking to invest in the fast paced world of the stock market. The above tips are a good beginning, but the following tips will further help those interested in investing in stocks.
1. Look at the value of the stock instead of the price. Low cost stocks may be low for a reason. Look at the whole picture. See why the price is low and if there is a possibility it may rise.
2. Check the companies return on net worth. This is the profit after taxes divided by the net worth. It is important to see a trend of growing return on net worth.
3. Spread out your risk. You should not put all your money in high risk stocks. Try some lower risks and some higher risks. This is the best way to protect your money.
4. Understand the basics of stock prices. Prices move up or down depending on future projections.
These four tips can help a beginning investor start investing in the stock market.
No matter what type of investment you are looking into, knowledge will be the key to success. These short tip lists are just the beginning to understanding investing and how to maximize your return. Keep learning and trying.
Investing can be confusing, especially for the beginner. Getting some basic tips can help a beginning investor to make informed choices that fit their needs. Each person has a different goal when investing and that plays a big impact on how you invest. The following list explains some things beginners should know before investing.
1. Understand that there are no set rules for investing. There are no guarantees and no perfect way to invest.
2. Make informed choices. Before investing in any way you should completely understand how your investment will work and all of the details of the transaction.
3. Make a simple plan to determine your goals and needs. This will help you to determine what investments to make and how much money to invest.
These three tips are great for general investing, but many people are looking to invest in the fast paced world of the stock market. The above tips are a good beginning, but the following tips will further help those interested in investing in stocks.
1. Look at the value of the stock instead of the price. Low cost stocks may be low for a reason. Look at the whole picture. See why the price is low and if there is a possibility it may rise.
2. Check the companies return on net worth. This is the profit after taxes divided by the net worth. It is important to see a trend of growing return on net worth.
3. Spread out your risk. You should not put all your money in high risk stocks. Try some lower risks and some higher risks. This is the best way to protect your money.
4. Understand the basics of stock prices. Prices move up or down depending on future projections.
These four tips can help a beginning investor start investing in the stock market.
No matter what type of investment you are looking into, knowledge will be the key to success. These short tip lists are just the beginning to understanding investing and how to maximize your return. Keep learning and trying.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Silver - The Magical Metal
Silver is an element that has been used for thousands of years. Silver has been used as money. During one of the world wars, silver was used occasionally for wiring in electronic devices. I have heard that one of the atomic bombs, that was used in World War 2 contained silver wiring. That makes silver very famous, or infamous. Silver has also been used in photography for many years.
There is another use for silver though, which has pretty much been forgotten about. Before antibiotics were discovered, silver was used to treat infectious diseases and infected wounds. Years before antibiotics, silver solutions were used to kill micro organisms. The solution of silver is called colloidal silver.
Colloidal silver is made using electricity. Thin strips of silver are attached to wires and suspended in pure distilled water. The metal you use must be pure, 100% silver. The wires are connected to several batteries or a high voltage source of electricity. The silver breaks down in the water, into an ion form, and is suspended in the water. The electricity causes the silver to mix with the water at a microscopic level. The tiny microscopic particles of silver are electrically charged and suspended in the water. Often the color of a colloidal silver solution is light yellow, with an almost golden tint.
Colloidal silver is described by the FDA as being a pre-1938 drug. It is still legal to advertise, sell and use colloidal silver for the same treatments used at that time. It is thought that colloidal silver, destroys viruses, fungi, bacteria or other micro organisms by turning off their oxygen metabolism enzyme. Without receiving the oxygen the organism needs, it will die.
It is likely that this property was first found when someone dropped a pure silver coin in a cup of milk, and came back much later to find the milk still fresh and good to drink.
Silver coins come in two types, numismatic and bullion coins. Bullion coins are made of the pure metal so a silver bullion coin would be close to 100% silver content. Numismatic coins are not pure metal coins. They are made of an alloy, a mixture of metals. Their value is derived more from their rarity, than their metal content.
The advantage to using real silver or gold coins as a monetary system, the way it was done in the old days, is that they have real value in themselves. The silver or gold has its own value, and is recognised as having real value. Contrast that with paper money, which only has an artificial value placed on it by the governmental body which issued the bank note. A note legally speaking is an instrument of debt, the opposite of what money should be. A note indicates someone owes something to by paid to another person.
Silver is a wondrous metal. It is almost magical. It has value in itself. It can help capture an image, help show your reflection in a mirror, kill what is making you sick and at a pinch wire your electronic devices.
Silver is an element that has been used for thousands of years. Silver has been used as money. During one of the world wars, silver was used occasionally for wiring in electronic devices. I have heard that one of the atomic bombs, that was used in World War 2 contained silver wiring. That makes silver very famous, or infamous. Silver has also been used in photography for many years.
There is another use for silver though, which has pretty much been forgotten about. Before antibiotics were discovered, silver was used to treat infectious diseases and infected wounds. Years before antibiotics, silver solutions were used to kill micro organisms. The solution of silver is called colloidal silver.
Colloidal silver is made using electricity. Thin strips of silver are attached to wires and suspended in pure distilled water. The metal you use must be pure, 100% silver. The wires are connected to several batteries or a high voltage source of electricity. The silver breaks down in the water, into an ion form, and is suspended in the water. The electricity causes the silver to mix with the water at a microscopic level. The tiny microscopic particles of silver are electrically charged and suspended in the water. Often the color of a colloidal silver solution is light yellow, with an almost golden tint.
Colloidal silver is described by the FDA as being a pre-1938 drug. It is still legal to advertise, sell and use colloidal silver for the same treatments used at that time. It is thought that colloidal silver, destroys viruses, fungi, bacteria or other micro organisms by turning off their oxygen metabolism enzyme. Without receiving the oxygen the organism needs, it will die.
It is likely that this property was first found when someone dropped a pure silver coin in a cup of milk, and came back much later to find the milk still fresh and good to drink.
Silver coins come in two types, numismatic and bullion coins. Bullion coins are made of the pure metal so a silver bullion coin would be close to 100% silver content. Numismatic coins are not pure metal coins. They are made of an alloy, a mixture of metals. Their value is derived more from their rarity, than their metal content.
The advantage to using real silver or gold coins as a monetary system, the way it was done in the old days, is that they have real value in themselves. The silver or gold has its own value, and is recognised as having real value. Contrast that with paper money, which only has an artificial value placed on it by the governmental body which issued the bank note. A note legally speaking is an instrument of debt, the opposite of what money should be. A note indicates someone owes something to by paid to another person.
Silver is a wondrous metal. It is almost magical. It has value in itself. It can help capture an image, help show your reflection in a mirror, kill what is making you sick and at a pinch wire your electronic devices.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Coin Collecting - A Fun Hobby
Over the years, collecting coins has grown from being just a hobby to becoming a full-blown enterprise with numerous Internet sites devoted to coins. Over the next several weeks, I will give you a little background about coin collecting to help those who want to pursue this as a hobby and maybe even make some money in the process.
People have been collecting coins for centuries, because of their beauty, their value, and their history. When you hold an old coin in your hand, it allows you to take a step back in history to the time of the coinage. For over 2,500 years, mans history has been reflected in coins. From the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the British Empire, the California Gold Rush, and US coins, mans achievements have been depicted in coins.
Coin collecting, called numismatics, has become one of the most rewarding and popular hobbies in the world today. Over a period of time as you begin to add more coins to your collection, you will be pleasantly surprised at the hours of enjoyment your collection will bring. If you have taken time and care with your collection, not only will it be of value to you and those you pass it on to, but could also be an investment for the future.
Please check back for future articles where we will be discussing early coins, 19th and 20th century coins, commemorative coins, gold coins, determining the value of coins, and buying coins.
Over the years, collecting coins has grown from being just a hobby to becoming a full-blown enterprise with numerous Internet sites devoted to coins. Over the next several weeks, I will give you a little background about coin collecting to help those who want to pursue this as a hobby and maybe even make some money in the process.
People have been collecting coins for centuries, because of their beauty, their value, and their history. When you hold an old coin in your hand, it allows you to take a step back in history to the time of the coinage. For over 2,500 years, mans history has been reflected in coins. From the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the British Empire, the California Gold Rush, and US coins, mans achievements have been depicted in coins.
Coin collecting, called numismatics, has become one of the most rewarding and popular hobbies in the world today. Over a period of time as you begin to add more coins to your collection, you will be pleasantly surprised at the hours of enjoyment your collection will bring. If you have taken time and care with your collection, not only will it be of value to you and those you pass it on to, but could also be an investment for the future.
Please check back for future articles where we will be discussing early coins, 19th and 20th century coins, commemorative coins, gold coins, determining the value of coins, and buying coins.
E-gold Invest: Make Money With Currency Trading
Many people are already starting to pay attention to the newest online trend: E-gold investing.
E-gold investing is a all about a system that allows you to profit from the money that is being traded everyday on the internet. What you're doing when you are trading e-gold (or e-currencies) is that you are providing the backup for internet money. Let me go back a bit. What exactly do I mean by "backup for internet money"?
There is a cashflow of all of the money that is being moved throughout the internet every day. However, this money has to have, for every dollar that is being backed up, a physical backup of that dollar must exist.
This is a very superficial explanation about how the dxgold system works, but to be honest, to profit from it, you don't have to understand exactly how it works to profit from it. If I were to put the e-gold training courses into a metaphor I would say it's very much like driving a car. You don't need to know how it works in order to use it properly.
What you do need to know is the egold exchange process and every step of the way. This may sound complex, but once you get to know it, it becomes a daily routine that takes about five minutes just to check up on.
Investing in e-gold is something that I could describe as a great investing strategy, if you are investing in the long run.
It isn't as fast as a rising stock in wall street, it isn't something that will double your profits in a couple of days, but it is something you can expect to generate a good income from. And the important keyword in that past sentence would be to Expect, because this is a safe long term strategy that is guaranteed to make a profit for you.
This is why I personally think it is plain silly not to learn this currency trading system. You even know how much money you will make each day in advance.
For some it may be tough, but saving a couple of hundred dollars and investing in e-gold can be a very wise decision. As many people have experienced already, it can even turn into a "hands off" second income without the 8 to 5 job.
E-gold is all about discipline. Is about the discipline of having your money work for you and letting it grow, without getting an urge of a shopping spree and taking your money out of your account.
If you think you can wait for a few months and are interested in getting a second income, then the e-gold system could be a good fit for you.
Many people are already starting to pay attention to the newest online trend: E-gold investing.
E-gold investing is a all about a system that allows you to profit from the money that is being traded everyday on the internet. What you're doing when you are trading e-gold (or e-currencies) is that you are providing the backup for internet money. Let me go back a bit. What exactly do I mean by "backup for internet money"?
There is a cashflow of all of the money that is being moved throughout the internet every day. However, this money has to have, for every dollar that is being backed up, a physical backup of that dollar must exist.
This is a very superficial explanation about how the dxgold system works, but to be honest, to profit from it, you don't have to understand exactly how it works to profit from it. If I were to put the e-gold training courses into a metaphor I would say it's very much like driving a car. You don't need to know how it works in order to use it properly.
What you do need to know is the egold exchange process and every step of the way. This may sound complex, but once you get to know it, it becomes a daily routine that takes about five minutes just to check up on.
Investing in e-gold is something that I could describe as a great investing strategy, if you are investing in the long run.
It isn't as fast as a rising stock in wall street, it isn't something that will double your profits in a couple of days, but it is something you can expect to generate a good income from. And the important keyword in that past sentence would be to Expect, because this is a safe long term strategy that is guaranteed to make a profit for you.
This is why I personally think it is plain silly not to learn this currency trading system. You even know how much money you will make each day in advance.
For some it may be tough, but saving a couple of hundred dollars and investing in e-gold can be a very wise decision. As many people have experienced already, it can even turn into a "hands off" second income without the 8 to 5 job.
E-gold is all about discipline. Is about the discipline of having your money work for you and letting it grow, without getting an urge of a shopping spree and taking your money out of your account.
If you think you can wait for a few months and are interested in getting a second income, then the e-gold system could be a good fit for you.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Black Gold and Other Fancy Colors Of Gold
Black gold, blue gold, purple gold and many other colors of gold.
Are these really gold? Is such colored gold as strong as normal gold? How are these gold colors obtained. We are all familiar with white gold and yellow gold, but these fancy gold colors have now hit the market. And the truth is that little is known about these gold colors thereby keeping jewelry buyers in the dark. Most gold coloring processes are patended by a few big companies who keep the facts hidden from the general public.
To start with, these gold colors are gold and obtained by mixing different alloys into gold. This is similar to the process used to create white and yellow gold. The lack of sufficient knowlegde regarding these gold colors is true of jewellers too. That is the reason why maintaining and repairing these fancy gold colored jewelry is not an easy task.
With a variety of patented alloys used in the making of these gold colors, there is a special reason for concern for, people with sensitive skin that is prone to skin allergies. Given the entire mystery and secrecy that shrouds these gold colors, you need to wonder whether it is worth spending your money on them.
We have put together a detailed report on Black Gold and other gold colors and you can access this absolutely free. Follow the link shown below:
http://www.newsletter.kaijewels.com/gold-colors.htm
Will be back soon with more useful information regarding gemstones and jewelry.
Thanks and God Bless.
Ms.Tuk http://www.kaisilver.com
Black gold, blue gold, purple gold and many other colors of gold.
Are these really gold? Is such colored gold as strong as normal gold? How are these gold colors obtained. We are all familiar with white gold and yellow gold, but these fancy gold colors have now hit the market. And the truth is that little is known about these gold colors thereby keeping jewelry buyers in the dark. Most gold coloring processes are patended by a few big companies who keep the facts hidden from the general public.
To start with, these gold colors are gold and obtained by mixing different alloys into gold. This is similar to the process used to create white and yellow gold. The lack of sufficient knowlegde regarding these gold colors is true of jewellers too. That is the reason why maintaining and repairing these fancy gold colored jewelry is not an easy task.
With a variety of patented alloys used in the making of these gold colors, there is a special reason for concern for, people with sensitive skin that is prone to skin allergies. Given the entire mystery and secrecy that shrouds these gold colors, you need to wonder whether it is worth spending your money on them.
We have put together a detailed report on Black Gold and other gold colors and you can access this absolutely free. Follow the link shown below:
http://www.newsletter.kaijewels.com/gold-colors.htm
Will be back soon with more useful information regarding gemstones and jewelry.
Thanks and God Bless.
Ms.Tuk http://www.kaisilver.com
All Coin Dealers Are Not Created Equal
How to Select a Coin Dealer for Your Coin Collection
Why do I Need a Coin Dealer?
It is very difficult to build a collection of rare coins without a connection to a good coin dealer. If you are an investor hoping to make a profit with your collection of rare coins, building relationships with good coin dealers is vital to your success. If you are interested in making the highest profits possible with your coin collection, you will need to find a merchant partner who is experienced in the specific rare coins that interest you, and who will sell them to you at a good price. Most coin dealers will charge a lower premium on the sale of coins to their best customers. After all, it makes good business sense to get the most profit possible from a person who will do business with you only once. If you have a long-term relationship, however, the margin does not need to be as high for the coin dealer to make a good profit.
Because coin dealers are experts in their chosen fields, they will also have better connections than individuals who buy coins on their own will. Finding the right vendor or wholesaler can be a long and difficult task for someone new to the coin collecting trade. Coin dealers will also be more likely to recognize a counterfeit coin, have a higher chance of hearing about the sale of the specific rare coins that interest you, and will recognize an asking price that is over- or undervalued. As an investor, these are all critically important points for your success.
Building a long-term relationship with a knowledgeable coin dealer is the best way to protect the money that you invest into rare coins. All too often, new coin collectors who try to go it on their own without professional help end up being scammed out of hundreds or thousands of dollars.
What Do I Look For in a Coin Dealer?
All coin dealers are not created equal, and it is nearly impossible to specialize in every area when it comes to collecting rare coins. Therefore, it's important to know what to look for before you select a professional for your coin collecting needs.
The first vital piece of information that you'll need when considering coin dealers is his or her professional qualifications. Some important questions to ask include, does the coin dealer belong to any professional groups? How long has he or she been in business? Can the coin merchant provide references from other satisfied customers? One of the best indications that a vendor has a high level of professionalism is a membership in the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG). This group includes the most reputable coin dealers in the business thanks to an emphasis on ethics.
The second most important question to put to a prospective coin dealer is the area in which he or she specializes. There are so many different kinds of rare coins to collect, ranging from gold bullion coins to ancient Roman coins, that it is impossible to be a true expert in all of them. You'll want to find a merchant that specializes in the particular area that is of interest to you. A trader might be able to recognize every rare American coin at a glance, but that won't do you a lot of good if you really want to collect legal tender from medieval times.
Finally, you should consider the motivation of the coin dealers you are considering. A highly motivated coin merchant will go to shows and retailer auctions, keep abreast of current prices and trends, and will generally keep up-to-date with the current coin market. Any investor will recognize the impact of current information on profit levels. A coin trader who is highly motivated will also be more likely to provide you with excellent service and the best rare coins.
Once you have selected a coin dealer, it is important to reward him or her with your loyalty. You are likely to get the best prices and service from coin dealers who know that you are working exclusively with them.
How to Select a Coin Dealer for Your Coin Collection
Why do I Need a Coin Dealer?
It is very difficult to build a collection of rare coins without a connection to a good coin dealer. If you are an investor hoping to make a profit with your collection of rare coins, building relationships with good coin dealers is vital to your success. If you are interested in making the highest profits possible with your coin collection, you will need to find a merchant partner who is experienced in the specific rare coins that interest you, and who will sell them to you at a good price. Most coin dealers will charge a lower premium on the sale of coins to their best customers. After all, it makes good business sense to get the most profit possible from a person who will do business with you only once. If you have a long-term relationship, however, the margin does not need to be as high for the coin dealer to make a good profit.
Because coin dealers are experts in their chosen fields, they will also have better connections than individuals who buy coins on their own will. Finding the right vendor or wholesaler can be a long and difficult task for someone new to the coin collecting trade. Coin dealers will also be more likely to recognize a counterfeit coin, have a higher chance of hearing about the sale of the specific rare coins that interest you, and will recognize an asking price that is over- or undervalued. As an investor, these are all critically important points for your success.
Building a long-term relationship with a knowledgeable coin dealer is the best way to protect the money that you invest into rare coins. All too often, new coin collectors who try to go it on their own without professional help end up being scammed out of hundreds or thousands of dollars.
What Do I Look For in a Coin Dealer?
All coin dealers are not created equal, and it is nearly impossible to specialize in every area when it comes to collecting rare coins. Therefore, it's important to know what to look for before you select a professional for your coin collecting needs.
The first vital piece of information that you'll need when considering coin dealers is his or her professional qualifications. Some important questions to ask include, does the coin dealer belong to any professional groups? How long has he or she been in business? Can the coin merchant provide references from other satisfied customers? One of the best indications that a vendor has a high level of professionalism is a membership in the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG). This group includes the most reputable coin dealers in the business thanks to an emphasis on ethics.
The second most important question to put to a prospective coin dealer is the area in which he or she specializes. There are so many different kinds of rare coins to collect, ranging from gold bullion coins to ancient Roman coins, that it is impossible to be a true expert in all of them. You'll want to find a merchant that specializes in the particular area that is of interest to you. A trader might be able to recognize every rare American coin at a glance, but that won't do you a lot of good if you really want to collect legal tender from medieval times.
Finally, you should consider the motivation of the coin dealers you are considering. A highly motivated coin merchant will go to shows and retailer auctions, keep abreast of current prices and trends, and will generally keep up-to-date with the current coin market. Any investor will recognize the impact of current information on profit levels. A coin trader who is highly motivated will also be more likely to provide you with excellent service and the best rare coins.
Once you have selected a coin dealer, it is important to reward him or her with your loyalty. You are likely to get the best prices and service from coin dealers who know that you are working exclusively with them.
Friday, May 18, 2007
E-Gold
E-gold is a digital currency, used extensively on the Internet for making payments in exchange for goods and services.
It is one of the first digital e-currency providers, having started in 1996. E-gold accounts are backed by actual physical gold, dollar for dollar. You can take delivery of the physical gold if you wish, although there is an additional handling charge.
The E-gold e-currency is tied directly to the value of gold, so it's not possible to use outside influences to affect the value of it... unless one has the ability to affect the spot price of gold. Being tied to the price of gold, e-gold accounts fluctuate up and down with the value of national currencies as they move with the spot price of gold.
While gold is the most popular precious metal digital currency in use, E-gold also offers the platinum, palladium and silver precious metals as digital currency.
Funding an e-currency account is the job of a third party called a Market Maker. A market maker is a merchant who exchanges national currencies for e-currencies, and places them in your online currency account. Similarly, they will buy your ecurrency and pay you in your national currency when you wish to exchange your egold for currency.
You can fund an e-gold with paypal, or buy e-gold with a credit card if you wish, though the market maker will charge up to 15% to do so. This is largely because of the cost to him of fraudulent charge backs.
E-currencies are now accepted fairly extensively by online merchants in exchange their products and services, mainly catering to people, who for whatever reason, don't have or can't get, a credit card.
E-gold is a digital currency, used extensively on the Internet for making payments in exchange for goods and services.
It is one of the first digital e-currency providers, having started in 1996. E-gold accounts are backed by actual physical gold, dollar for dollar. You can take delivery of the physical gold if you wish, although there is an additional handling charge.
The E-gold e-currency is tied directly to the value of gold, so it's not possible to use outside influences to affect the value of it... unless one has the ability to affect the spot price of gold. Being tied to the price of gold, e-gold accounts fluctuate up and down with the value of national currencies as they move with the spot price of gold.
While gold is the most popular precious metal digital currency in use, E-gold also offers the platinum, palladium and silver precious metals as digital currency.
Funding an e-currency account is the job of a third party called a Market Maker. A market maker is a merchant who exchanges national currencies for e-currencies, and places them in your online currency account. Similarly, they will buy your ecurrency and pay you in your national currency when you wish to exchange your egold for currency.
You can fund an e-gold with paypal, or buy e-gold with a credit card if you wish, though the market maker will charge up to 15% to do so. This is largely because of the cost to him of fraudulent charge backs.
E-currencies are now accepted fairly extensively by online merchants in exchange their products and services, mainly catering to people, who for whatever reason, don't have or can't get, a credit card.
Guide To Choosing Gold and Platinum Wedding Rings
Nothing says forever like gold and platinum wedding rings. These precious metals mark the permanence of a lifelong commitment, and will endure beyond decades of married life.
Whereas gold is a traditional setting, platinum has taken off as the newest trend in wedding jewelry. The decision to go for the gold or opt for platinum is based on the personal style of the bride and groom. However, certain factors may contribute to the couples wedding ring selection.
Style
What does your wedding ring say about you? Platinum is geared toward a more modern look, whereas gold is traditionally beautiful. When evaluating your style, consider the future as well as the present, as you will quite possibly be wearing this ring for years to come.
Matching Existing Jewelry
Look at your (and your fiances) jewelry collection do you see gold, silver or a combination of both? If a bride typically wears only silver jewelry, she may wish for a platinum ring to accent her existing pieces; conversely, a gold jewelry fan would likely pick a gold ring. Grooms may wish to match their ring to their favorite watch or ID bracelet. If a couple has different tastes, they may choose a wedding ring that incorporates multiple colors.
Quality
While gold will stand the test of time, platinum is a stronger and more durable metal. Couples that decide on gold should select 14-18k wedding rings. For gold, high karats mean intense color but less durability.
Allergic Reactions to Metals
If the bride or groom reacts to the metals found in certain types of jewelry, a platinum wedding ring is the way to go. Over 90 percent pure, platinum is hypoallergenic to most people.
Price
If shopping by price, gold offers the best value for your money. While platinum is more durable than gold, it is also more expensive. If a couple longs for a light-colored metal but cannot afford platinum, they may consider opting for a white gold wedding ring as an affordable alternative.
Whatever your decision, gold and platinum wedding rings are a wonderful way to express your love and commitment to each other.
Nothing says forever like gold and platinum wedding rings. These precious metals mark the permanence of a lifelong commitment, and will endure beyond decades of married life.
Whereas gold is a traditional setting, platinum has taken off as the newest trend in wedding jewelry. The decision to go for the gold or opt for platinum is based on the personal style of the bride and groom. However, certain factors may contribute to the couples wedding ring selection.
Style
What does your wedding ring say about you? Platinum is geared toward a more modern look, whereas gold is traditionally beautiful. When evaluating your style, consider the future as well as the present, as you will quite possibly be wearing this ring for years to come.
Matching Existing Jewelry
Look at your (and your fiances) jewelry collection do you see gold, silver or a combination of both? If a bride typically wears only silver jewelry, she may wish for a platinum ring to accent her existing pieces; conversely, a gold jewelry fan would likely pick a gold ring. Grooms may wish to match their ring to their favorite watch or ID bracelet. If a couple has different tastes, they may choose a wedding ring that incorporates multiple colors.
Quality
While gold will stand the test of time, platinum is a stronger and more durable metal. Couples that decide on gold should select 14-18k wedding rings. For gold, high karats mean intense color but less durability.
Allergic Reactions to Metals
If the bride or groom reacts to the metals found in certain types of jewelry, a platinum wedding ring is the way to go. Over 90 percent pure, platinum is hypoallergenic to most people.
Price
If shopping by price, gold offers the best value for your money. While platinum is more durable than gold, it is also more expensive. If a couple longs for a light-colored metal but cannot afford platinum, they may consider opting for a white gold wedding ring as an affordable alternative.
Whatever your decision, gold and platinum wedding rings are a wonderful way to express your love and commitment to each other.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
E-Currency: If Forest Gump Was Here, This Is What He Would Be Doing
So you want to learn currency exchange huh?
You heard about it and now you decided you want to become the Donald Trump of investing, somehow you know you can pull this off and become the next big thing.
Well it's quite possible to earn a very good living doing exchanges, but you have to know how the system works before you start seeing the money.
One system that is one of the internet's best kept gems is E-Currency Exchange. The money that is being moved through the internet in every single daily purchase needs to be backed up in gold. This is were you come in.
When you invest your money in e currency exchange your money acts as a backup or insurance that the money being exchanged has real physical money. This transactions are happening everyday, and when you provide that backup you earn a percentage proporcional to the amount you are investing.
E-currency exchange has been around for a few years but it hasn't been until recently people are starting to catch up to the beauty of this system. Is actually a very safe way to generate an income once you understand how to work the system to your advantage.
You can actually see how much money you're going to make even before start your transaction. These transactions are also called 24 hour periods. You generate around 1.5% to 4% of daily interests for your money. At first that may not sound that impressive but that is daily compounded interest, so if you were to leave your money working for you and check back in a month an a half, you would find that it has doubled. That is the beauty of currency exchange.
Another great thing about this system is that, like anyone who is generating a nice income doing this can tell you, it requires no more than an hour a day to manage once youre setup. This means more time for lifestyle and living the way it should be lived.
I highly recommend anyone who is serious about investing to learn how to work this system. There are two ways: The easy way and the "do it yourself" way. I recommend to take the first one. Learn how the system works from a e currency exchange professional and you could make some money within two days. There are even some really good programs were everything is through video and all you do is watch and do what you see.
So you want to learn currency exchange huh?
You heard about it and now you decided you want to become the Donald Trump of investing, somehow you know you can pull this off and become the next big thing.
Well it's quite possible to earn a very good living doing exchanges, but you have to know how the system works before you start seeing the money.
One system that is one of the internet's best kept gems is E-Currency Exchange. The money that is being moved through the internet in every single daily purchase needs to be backed up in gold. This is were you come in.
When you invest your money in e currency exchange your money acts as a backup or insurance that the money being exchanged has real physical money. This transactions are happening everyday, and when you provide that backup you earn a percentage proporcional to the amount you are investing.
E-currency exchange has been around for a few years but it hasn't been until recently people are starting to catch up to the beauty of this system. Is actually a very safe way to generate an income once you understand how to work the system to your advantage.
You can actually see how much money you're going to make even before start your transaction. These transactions are also called 24 hour periods. You generate around 1.5% to 4% of daily interests for your money. At first that may not sound that impressive but that is daily compounded interest, so if you were to leave your money working for you and check back in a month an a half, you would find that it has doubled. That is the beauty of currency exchange.
Another great thing about this system is that, like anyone who is generating a nice income doing this can tell you, it requires no more than an hour a day to manage once youre setup. This means more time for lifestyle and living the way it should be lived.
I highly recommend anyone who is serious about investing to learn how to work this system. There are two ways: The easy way and the "do it yourself" way. I recommend to take the first one. Learn how the system works from a e currency exchange professional and you could make some money within two days. There are even some really good programs were everything is through video and all you do is watch and do what you see.
In Extremis to Extemes
Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil" (Proverbs 4:27); "Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went" (Ezekiel 12:1).
Apparently extremes aren't good for spiritual health. If we lean too much on the side of severity, we can become harsh and intolerant; if we lean too much to the other side, we may wind up accommodating wrongdoing without realizing it. Mercy and justice are the two sides of God's coin and that coin becomes both a just and merciful standard for our lives. God asks that we merge good nature with fixed spiritual principles, and that will be the stamp, the seal, the coin, for our life.
Dwight D. Eisenhower noted: "People talk about the middle of the road as though it were unacceptable. Actually, all human problems, excepting morals, come into the gray areas. Things are not all black and white. There have to be compromises. The middle of the road is all the usable surface. The extremes, right and left, are in the gutters." The gutters are fanaticism and indifference. It is in the middle where we find the steady people.
Benjamin Franklin said about the gray areas of life: "When confronted with two courses of action, I jot down on a piece of paper all the arguments in favor of each one. Then, by weighing the arguments pro and con and canceling them out one against the other, I take the course indicated by what remains." There are legitimate gray areas of life when it is a good idea to do this. It's choosing the better of two goods when two options are equally honorable.
Cartwright observed that "Some flee the cross; others make one." The middle course is at the foot of the cross!
Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil" (Proverbs 4:27); "Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went" (Ezekiel 12:1).
Apparently extremes aren't good for spiritual health. If we lean too much on the side of severity, we can become harsh and intolerant; if we lean too much to the other side, we may wind up accommodating wrongdoing without realizing it. Mercy and justice are the two sides of God's coin and that coin becomes both a just and merciful standard for our lives. God asks that we merge good nature with fixed spiritual principles, and that will be the stamp, the seal, the coin, for our life.
Dwight D. Eisenhower noted: "People talk about the middle of the road as though it were unacceptable. Actually, all human problems, excepting morals, come into the gray areas. Things are not all black and white. There have to be compromises. The middle of the road is all the usable surface. The extremes, right and left, are in the gutters." The gutters are fanaticism and indifference. It is in the middle where we find the steady people.
Benjamin Franklin said about the gray areas of life: "When confronted with two courses of action, I jot down on a piece of paper all the arguments in favor of each one. Then, by weighing the arguments pro and con and canceling them out one against the other, I take the course indicated by what remains." There are legitimate gray areas of life when it is a good idea to do this. It's choosing the better of two goods when two options are equally honorable.
Cartwright observed that "Some flee the cross; others make one." The middle course is at the foot of the cross!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Using E-gold as Gold Investment
E-gold may be a good way to give you an easy way to be involved in the gold investment market.
The reason we can use e-gold as the way is because the price of e-gold currency is the same as the real gold price.
So buying e-gold is 100% the same as buying real gold but they give e-gold holder an easy way to move th value of the gold your own in the internet even much easier than your real money.
You can either use e-gold to invest another investing program you can easily find from the internet or just hold the e-gold in your e-gold account as the gold investment only.
In the future ,e-gold may become the worldwide money you can spend anywhere in the internet .Just like the Europe they use their own currency in most of the country there. E-gold may have that potential to act the same role in the coming future.
At this moment ,e-gold is used in the internet investment such as the HYIP,but we beleve in the ocming future ,we will have more way to use e-gold to invest in the formal investing program such as REits funds. Even we can use e-gold to buy the stock world wide.
E-gold may be a good way to give you an easy way to be involved in the gold investment market.
The reason we can use e-gold as the way is because the price of e-gold currency is the same as the real gold price.
So buying e-gold is 100% the same as buying real gold but they give e-gold holder an easy way to move th value of the gold your own in the internet even much easier than your real money.
You can either use e-gold to invest another investing program you can easily find from the internet or just hold the e-gold in your e-gold account as the gold investment only.
In the future ,e-gold may become the worldwide money you can spend anywhere in the internet .Just like the Europe they use their own currency in most of the country there. E-gold may have that potential to act the same role in the coming future.
At this moment ,e-gold is used in the internet investment such as the HYIP,but we beleve in the ocming future ,we will have more way to use e-gold to invest in the formal investing program such as REits funds. Even we can use e-gold to buy the stock world wide.
The Role Of Gold Bullion Coins In Your Portfolio
Are Gold Bullion Coins Worth It?
Today's world offers investors plenty of avenues for their money. Which ones are worth it and which ones just bring unnecessary risks with very low chances of profit?
Many people have turned to buying gold bullion in order to improve their financial situations. We know gold has been around ever since man first started living in a society. Gold has grown together with mankind, or vice-versa, depending on how you want to look at it. Lets have a look at the process of investing in gold bullion coins and at some of the factors related to such a financial placement.
What Are Gold Bullion Coins?
A gold bullion coin contains one ounce of pure gold. The quality or origin of the gold may differ, however, so make sure to only acquire gold bullions from respected companies that have dozens of years of tradition and trust. Here are some of the most popular and trustworthy gold bullion coins: the American Gold Eagle, the Australian Nugget, and the South African Krugerrand.
Buy Gold Bullions! Here Is The First Reason Why
Listed gold bullion coins are internationally renown and recognized. When compared to gold bars, coins are much more versatile. You can travel to any part of the world and find a gold dealer who will exchange your bullion coins. Bars take longer to sell, as they need to be cleared and checked for accuracy and authenticity. Also gold coins are a lot easier to carry and store in a safe place. This feature becomes especially useful if you are storing gold inside your own home.
Gold Bullion Coins Are Easily Divisible
This option may not seem important at first, but it becomes really useful in some situations. If you just want to sell a small part of your gold reserve you can always just select a few coins, as compared to gold bars, which can only be sold whole. This increases the versatility of your gold reserve, as you will never have to worry about selling it all at once. You can also benefit from market forces. If the price of gold suddenly skyrockets you can sell a quarter or half of your bullion coins and still keep a safe quantity of the precious metal.
Gold Bullions Are Safe
I have saved the best for last. There is no more persuasive factor than the security offered by an investment. You can try to go with mutual funds, real estate investments, or overseas placement, but gold bullion remains one of the safest alternatives for your cash.
If you are looking for spectacular investments and immediate profits, maybe gold bullion coins are not the answer for you. On the other hand, if you are trying to establish an investment that offers equilibrium and security, gold coins should be right on top of your list! They are probably the best method you can choose in order to protect your wealth in the unfortunate case of an international economic collapse.
International financial problems are often brutally reflected in our everyday economy. Gold coins are almost immune to such incidents, as they have been for centuries. Even if many people associate gold bullion with pirate stories or fairytales, the fact is that investing in gold coins can make the difference between a smart and a risky financial position.
Are Gold Bullion Coins Worth It?
Today's world offers investors plenty of avenues for their money. Which ones are worth it and which ones just bring unnecessary risks with very low chances of profit?
Many people have turned to buying gold bullion in order to improve their financial situations. We know gold has been around ever since man first started living in a society. Gold has grown together with mankind, or vice-versa, depending on how you want to look at it. Lets have a look at the process of investing in gold bullion coins and at some of the factors related to such a financial placement.
What Are Gold Bullion Coins?
A gold bullion coin contains one ounce of pure gold. The quality or origin of the gold may differ, however, so make sure to only acquire gold bullions from respected companies that have dozens of years of tradition and trust. Here are some of the most popular and trustworthy gold bullion coins: the American Gold Eagle, the Australian Nugget, and the South African Krugerrand.
Buy Gold Bullions! Here Is The First Reason Why
Listed gold bullion coins are internationally renown and recognized. When compared to gold bars, coins are much more versatile. You can travel to any part of the world and find a gold dealer who will exchange your bullion coins. Bars take longer to sell, as they need to be cleared and checked for accuracy and authenticity. Also gold coins are a lot easier to carry and store in a safe place. This feature becomes especially useful if you are storing gold inside your own home.
Gold Bullion Coins Are Easily Divisible
This option may not seem important at first, but it becomes really useful in some situations. If you just want to sell a small part of your gold reserve you can always just select a few coins, as compared to gold bars, which can only be sold whole. This increases the versatility of your gold reserve, as you will never have to worry about selling it all at once. You can also benefit from market forces. If the price of gold suddenly skyrockets you can sell a quarter or half of your bullion coins and still keep a safe quantity of the precious metal.
Gold Bullions Are Safe
I have saved the best for last. There is no more persuasive factor than the security offered by an investment. You can try to go with mutual funds, real estate investments, or overseas placement, but gold bullion remains one of the safest alternatives for your cash.
If you are looking for spectacular investments and immediate profits, maybe gold bullion coins are not the answer for you. On the other hand, if you are trying to establish an investment that offers equilibrium and security, gold coins should be right on top of your list! They are probably the best method you can choose in order to protect your wealth in the unfortunate case of an international economic collapse.
International financial problems are often brutally reflected in our everyday economy. Gold coins are almost immune to such incidents, as they have been for centuries. Even if many people associate gold bullion with pirate stories or fairytales, the fact is that investing in gold coins can make the difference between a smart and a risky financial position.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
E-Gold and E-Currency Exchangers
All HYIPs use e-gold for their transactions and inorder to invest in any HYIP investment program, you'll need to have an e-gold account. If you don't have one already then get one now by clicking here.
After registering for an e-gold account, you'll need to fund that your account. e-gold cannot be funded directly, it has to be through an e-currency exchanger. There are lots of e-currency exchange companines on the Internet but the one I use is FriendlyPay. Once you open that account, you'll also open an EMO account if you wish to use your credit card to fund your e-gold account. EMO can also be useful if you intend to send Electronic Money Orders (EMO). Once you've opened these accounts, you'll be able to start funding your e-gold account and start investing immediately. However, you'll need to be verified by EMO before you can begin any transaction. Its easy and simple and will only take about 10 minutes to open all accounts successfully.
If there are any questions you have about either e-gold, FriendlyPay or EMO, you'll need to first of all read the FAQs for these programs and also, most importantly, read their terms before contacting support.
As a word of advice, always endeavour to read through the FAQs and terms of any program you intend to join so as to enable you understand the workings of such a program. This is one of the reasons why a lot of people call investment risky because they never bother to read through these vital and important information.
Go ahead and open your e-gold, FriendlyPay and EMO accounts NOW then read all you can about each of them from their FAQs and terms. If you don't find an answer to any question, then you can use the contact us link to contact support and you'll definitely get a timely response.
Remember HYIP investment programs are full of scam and hype. You would loose money if you don't bother to find out how HYIPs operate. Finding out how HYIPs operate will make you an enlightened, literate and confident investor. Follow these instructions and you'll sure attain financial freedom soon enough.
Now get ready to start opening investment accounts from tomorrow.
All HYIPs use e-gold for their transactions and inorder to invest in any HYIP investment program, you'll need to have an e-gold account. If you don't have one already then get one now by clicking here.
After registering for an e-gold account, you'll need to fund that your account. e-gold cannot be funded directly, it has to be through an e-currency exchanger. There are lots of e-currency exchange companines on the Internet but the one I use is FriendlyPay. Once you open that account, you'll also open an EMO account if you wish to use your credit card to fund your e-gold account. EMO can also be useful if you intend to send Electronic Money Orders (EMO). Once you've opened these accounts, you'll be able to start funding your e-gold account and start investing immediately. However, you'll need to be verified by EMO before you can begin any transaction. Its easy and simple and will only take about 10 minutes to open all accounts successfully.
If there are any questions you have about either e-gold, FriendlyPay or EMO, you'll need to first of all read the FAQs for these programs and also, most importantly, read their terms before contacting support.
As a word of advice, always endeavour to read through the FAQs and terms of any program you intend to join so as to enable you understand the workings of such a program. This is one of the reasons why a lot of people call investment risky because they never bother to read through these vital and important information.
Go ahead and open your e-gold, FriendlyPay and EMO accounts NOW then read all you can about each of them from their FAQs and terms. If you don't find an answer to any question, then you can use the contact us link to contact support and you'll definitely get a timely response.
Remember HYIP investment programs are full of scam and hype. You would loose money if you don't bother to find out how HYIPs operate. Finding out how HYIPs operate will make you an enlightened, literate and confident investor. Follow these instructions and you'll sure attain financial freedom soon enough.
Now get ready to start opening investment accounts from tomorrow.
Monday, May 14, 2007
World of Warcraft Gold Guide
Having enough Gold in World of Warcraft is one of the most important aspects of the game. Gold has a major effect on your game play. Gold of course has their common known usage in a mmorpg game which is used to buy and sell items from vendors and other players. In world of Warcraft, gold can be used for training. To learn new skills you are required to pay the trainer a fee. Alot of gold would be required to perfect your character. Here are some tips to help you farm World of Warcraft Gold.
Grabbing a profession early in the game can most definitely have its advantage. You are able to level up your profession easily and gain its benefits. 2 professions we highly suggest starting with is mining and skinning. As you kill animals and other creatures in World of Warcraft you can easily skin the animals and sell them to vendors or other players with a nice load sum of profit. You are also leveling your profession as well. While you're out leveling your character I'm sure you will kill a numerous amount of mobs that you can skin. The mining profession is another great profession. You will oftenly run into caves which may have some very prosperious mineral ores. Some minerals are very popular in the game and are highly demanded.
Questing in World of Warcraft is unlike any other MMORPG released. Quests are one of the biggest advantages you can have in the game. While you're out leveling grab a quest each time you get. Only takes a matter of seconds. Not only will you receive EXP from killing the mobs in the quest but you will also gain additional EXP from completing the quest along with some nice items and money. A great bonus added to help players level faster and get richer of course.
Gears in World of Warcraft can get quite expensive. Alot more expensive than just training. From levels 1-40 I highly suggest not investing any money on buying gears or items. Low level characters are not too gear dependent. The quests should be able to provide you just about everything you need. Save the extra gold you have for higher level gears.
Certain types of mobs tend to have better drops than others. From what we've noticed so far, humanoids tend to drop more gold and items than any other creature in the game. So while you're out leveling away, try to kill as many humanoids as you can.
Having enough Gold in World of Warcraft is one of the most important aspects of the game. Gold has a major effect on your game play. Gold of course has their common known usage in a mmorpg game which is used to buy and sell items from vendors and other players. In world of Warcraft, gold can be used for training. To learn new skills you are required to pay the trainer a fee. Alot of gold would be required to perfect your character. Here are some tips to help you farm World of Warcraft Gold.
Grabbing a profession early in the game can most definitely have its advantage. You are able to level up your profession easily and gain its benefits. 2 professions we highly suggest starting with is mining and skinning. As you kill animals and other creatures in World of Warcraft you can easily skin the animals and sell them to vendors or other players with a nice load sum of profit. You are also leveling your profession as well. While you're out leveling your character I'm sure you will kill a numerous amount of mobs that you can skin. The mining profession is another great profession. You will oftenly run into caves which may have some very prosperious mineral ores. Some minerals are very popular in the game and are highly demanded.
Questing in World of Warcraft is unlike any other MMORPG released. Quests are one of the biggest advantages you can have in the game. While you're out leveling grab a quest each time you get. Only takes a matter of seconds. Not only will you receive EXP from killing the mobs in the quest but you will also gain additional EXP from completing the quest along with some nice items and money. A great bonus added to help players level faster and get richer of course.
Gears in World of Warcraft can get quite expensive. Alot more expensive than just training. From levels 1-40 I highly suggest not investing any money on buying gears or items. Low level characters are not too gear dependent. The quests should be able to provide you just about everything you need. Save the extra gold you have for higher level gears.
Certain types of mobs tend to have better drops than others. From what we've noticed so far, humanoids tend to drop more gold and items than any other creature in the game. So while you're out leveling away, try to kill as many humanoids as you can.
Why Go Gold Panning?
Gold panning is a great outdoor activity that can be fun for people of all ages and health. If you can walk slightly off the beaten path, you can pan for gold. Despite the metal detectors, sluice boxes, and other large equipment often associated with this activity, the equipment actually needed to successfully pan for gold is limited, affordable and light weight.
The Quest
The quest for gold is hardly a new thing. We all know of the gold rush and have heard stories about the vast amounts of gold that were found. While the large deposits of gold are not as easy to find now, the total amount of gold available has not decreased significantly. There is still plenty waiting -- for you.
It is estimated that only about 15% of the gold available was found during the gold rush. There are approximately 1 billion ounces of gold flowing through the streams in North America right now.
What You Need To Know To Start
One nice thing about gold panning is that there really isnt much that you need to know in order to regularly find gold. The necessary information to get started is fairly basic and any good prospecting shop will have the answers for you.
Find out about the local laws on gold panning and claim staking. Typically, it is legal for a person to pan gold anywhere that they like, as long as they are only using a gold pan. Some exceptions include native reserves and wild life reserves. Landowners usually do not own streams that pass through their land, but it is wise to seek permission in case of dogs or other dangers. As a hobbyist you can even gold pan on a staked claim, but the owner of the claim may become agitated and possibly ruin your day -- or worse.
Research the geology and history of the area where you are going by talking to a prospecting store. If there is no gold in that area, then there is no point in trying. However there may be other valuables there, such as silver, platinum, or precious stones that can be recovered.
Learn how gold flows along a stream. For example, gold often stops moving when it hits slow moving water. Because of its density, gold will quickly sink to the bottom of any dirt and rock. This means that gold is usually found behind a rock in a stream as the water eddies.
Get some basic training on how to gold pan. Gold panning isnt hard, but proper technique can mean the difference between finding lots or just a little.
Learn to identify gold in your pan. Once youve seen it, there is no mistaking it. Most prospecting stores have placer gold flakes on hand and if you ask nicely enough, they may allow you to put a flake in your pan along with some water and fine gravel.
So what are you waiting for?
Gold panning is a great outdoor activity that can be fun for people of all ages and health. If you can walk slightly off the beaten path, you can pan for gold. Despite the metal detectors, sluice boxes, and other large equipment often associated with this activity, the equipment actually needed to successfully pan for gold is limited, affordable and light weight.
The Quest
The quest for gold is hardly a new thing. We all know of the gold rush and have heard stories about the vast amounts of gold that were found. While the large deposits of gold are not as easy to find now, the total amount of gold available has not decreased significantly. There is still plenty waiting -- for you.
It is estimated that only about 15% of the gold available was found during the gold rush. There are approximately 1 billion ounces of gold flowing through the streams in North America right now.
What You Need To Know To Start
One nice thing about gold panning is that there really isnt much that you need to know in order to regularly find gold. The necessary information to get started is fairly basic and any good prospecting shop will have the answers for you.
Find out about the local laws on gold panning and claim staking. Typically, it is legal for a person to pan gold anywhere that they like, as long as they are only using a gold pan. Some exceptions include native reserves and wild life reserves. Landowners usually do not own streams that pass through their land, but it is wise to seek permission in case of dogs or other dangers. As a hobbyist you can even gold pan on a staked claim, but the owner of the claim may become agitated and possibly ruin your day -- or worse.
Research the geology and history of the area where you are going by talking to a prospecting store. If there is no gold in that area, then there is no point in trying. However there may be other valuables there, such as silver, platinum, or precious stones that can be recovered.
Learn how gold flows along a stream. For example, gold often stops moving when it hits slow moving water. Because of its density, gold will quickly sink to the bottom of any dirt and rock. This means that gold is usually found behind a rock in a stream as the water eddies.
Get some basic training on how to gold pan. Gold panning isnt hard, but proper technique can mean the difference between finding lots or just a little.
Learn to identify gold in your pan. Once youve seen it, there is no mistaking it. Most prospecting stores have placer gold flakes on hand and if you ask nicely enough, they may allow you to put a flake in your pan along with some water and fine gravel.
So what are you waiting for?
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Introduction to HYIP
HYIP stands for High Yield Investment Program. As the name implies, these kinds of investment programs usually come with high returns on investment made by investors and there is usually high risk involved.
The popularity of HYIPs came about when e-currencies like e-gold, stormpay, etc were introduced. Investors are allowed to invest in small amounts which made the programs very popular and easy to follow.
Over 94% of HYIP sites are SCAM and these scam sites use the ponzi scheme or pyramid scheme in which new investors' money is being used to pay existing investors. This process will be continued as long as new investors are found, which explains why even fraudulent funds are able to provide the promised payouts initially and once there are no more new investors, these programs disappear. This is the reason why most people refer to HYIPs as SCAM and as a result they are afraid to invest, afraid to take calculated risks and afraid to loose money.
People are afraid to take risks not because the investment is risky but because they themselves are risky.
Why do I say this?.......
The problem always is that while more people are investing, very few of them are enlightened and well educated investors. When you fail to get the facts about investing and refuse to learn/study all you can about how to go about HYIP investing, then you are willingly putting yourself at very high risk. However this site is determined to provide lots and lots of the information you'll need to invest wisely and intelligibly. Feel free to post your comments and questions.
By now you should be asking,..... So which HYIPs are worth investing in and which ones are SCAM/PONZI?
Before answering that question, one thing you should note is that if there was no money to be made in HYIPs, then they'll not be so many scam sites trying to copy the already existing reliable and stable HYIP investment programs. The scammers know the potentials in HYIP investment are very real and high and they utilize the human factor of greed for making quick, immediate and fast cash to tactically dupe people of their hard earned money.
Now that you also know that you can make money from HYIP investment the next is to know which ones are for real and which ones to avoid. The answer to these questions cannot be completely answered in this article but it is a learning process that will continue as long as we still breath, since on a daily basis new improvements are made. This site will therefore provide you with answers on a daily basis to the happenings, news, DOs and DON'Ts of HYIP investment programs.
When investing with HYIPs, note these;
1. Never every dream or plan to get rich withing a short period of time.
2. Be prepared to loose money.
3. Don't quit.
4. Diversify.
5. Get back capital ASAP.
6. Research and research again.
7. Be Skeptical.
8. Be alert for warning signs.
9. Don't be greedy.
10. Visit this blog daily. (lol)
To begin opening any HYIP investment account, you'll first of all need to get an e-gold account. It is FREE. After which you'll need to also open an e-currency exchange account (also FREE) to enable you exchange money in US Dollars for gold either using a credit card, wire transfer, Direct debit, Bank account, etc.
More about e-gold account and e-currency exchangers tommorow. Happy Investing. Learn more about it on my blog
http://richesurinternet.blogspot.com
HYIP stands for High Yield Investment Program. As the name implies, these kinds of investment programs usually come with high returns on investment made by investors and there is usually high risk involved.
The popularity of HYIPs came about when e-currencies like e-gold, stormpay, etc were introduced. Investors are allowed to invest in small amounts which made the programs very popular and easy to follow.
Over 94% of HYIP sites are SCAM and these scam sites use the ponzi scheme or pyramid scheme in which new investors' money is being used to pay existing investors. This process will be continued as long as new investors are found, which explains why even fraudulent funds are able to provide the promised payouts initially and once there are no more new investors, these programs disappear. This is the reason why most people refer to HYIPs as SCAM and as a result they are afraid to invest, afraid to take calculated risks and afraid to loose money.
People are afraid to take risks not because the investment is risky but because they themselves are risky.
Why do I say this?.......
The problem always is that while more people are investing, very few of them are enlightened and well educated investors. When you fail to get the facts about investing and refuse to learn/study all you can about how to go about HYIP investing, then you are willingly putting yourself at very high risk. However this site is determined to provide lots and lots of the information you'll need to invest wisely and intelligibly. Feel free to post your comments and questions.
By now you should be asking,..... So which HYIPs are worth investing in and which ones are SCAM/PONZI?
Before answering that question, one thing you should note is that if there was no money to be made in HYIPs, then they'll not be so many scam sites trying to copy the already existing reliable and stable HYIP investment programs. The scammers know the potentials in HYIP investment are very real and high and they utilize the human factor of greed for making quick, immediate and fast cash to tactically dupe people of their hard earned money.
Now that you also know that you can make money from HYIP investment the next is to know which ones are for real and which ones to avoid. The answer to these questions cannot be completely answered in this article but it is a learning process that will continue as long as we still breath, since on a daily basis new improvements are made. This site will therefore provide you with answers on a daily basis to the happenings, news, DOs and DON'Ts of HYIP investment programs.
When investing with HYIPs, note these;
1. Never every dream or plan to get rich withing a short period of time.
2. Be prepared to loose money.
3. Don't quit.
4. Diversify.
5. Get back capital ASAP.
6. Research and research again.
7. Be Skeptical.
8. Be alert for warning signs.
9. Don't be greedy.
10. Visit this blog daily. (lol)
To begin opening any HYIP investment account, you'll first of all need to get an e-gold account. It is FREE. After which you'll need to also open an e-currency exchange account (also FREE) to enable you exchange money in US Dollars for gold either using a credit card, wire transfer, Direct debit, Bank account, etc.
More about e-gold account and e-currency exchangers tommorow. Happy Investing. Learn more about it on my blog
http://richesurinternet.blogspot.com
Playing the Stock Market with Gold and Silver
Finding the right investment opportunities can be hard with the constant fluctuations of the stock market it can leave you wondering whether any investment is likely to pay off well over a long period of time. If you've been putting off making investments because you're worried that the long-term returns might not be worth the initial investment, you might want to consider investing in precious metals such as gold and silver. These investments not only tend to perform well over time, but are also the standard that most investors fall back upon when trouble seems to be affecting every other portion of the stock market.
If you wish to know more about investing in precious metals such as gold and silver, the information below should help you with the basics and you preferred financial website or investment broker should be able to assist you with the specifics.
Investments in Gold and Silver
Many people aren't even aware that they can make investments in precious metals such as gold and silver via the stock market. These investments are often made in the form of indexes, and are traded in the same manner as if they were actual stocks. The value of these index shares will fluctuate depending upon the time of the year and other factors that can cause problems with the world economy, though precious metals such as gold and silver seem to grow in value the most during times of financial crisis when people are wanting to put their money into more secure currency standards.
Gold and silver investments also tend to increase seasonally, especially around Valentine's Day and Christmas when jewelry sales show their biggest increases.
Advantages of Gold and Silver
As mentioned above, one of the main advantages of precious metals such as gold and silver is the perceived value and stability against major fluctuations of value. Gold and silver have both served as the basis for various economies around the world, and even as other types of currency might rise and fall in value these precious metals are still as stable as ever. Factor in the value of metals such as gold and silver to the jewelry industry and you have an investment that's not likely to drop in value and fade away any time soon.
Disadvantages of Gold and Silver
Like any investment, however, investments in precious metals such as gold and silver aren't perfect. Prices can drop, especially when large amounts of new metals are being discovered in rich veins. Most drops in value are only temporary, but you should keep in mind that the same often applies to sudden increases in value as well particularly when those increases are influenced by trade issues or embargos that prevent the precious metals from one nation or another from reaching the world market.
Diversifying with Gold and Silver
Given the relative stability of investments in precious metals such as gold and silver, the index shares in these metals can be a great way to add stability when diversifying your stock portfolio. Adding shares of gold, silver, or other related indexes can not only add to the value of your portfolio but can also help add a little more security and protect against industry-wide drops in value that might otherwise drag your portfolio's value down until the affected industries can recover. This security is one that will likely last for years to come, as the value of metals such as silver and gold is not likely to drop significantly in the foreseeable future.
You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:
Finding the right investment opportunities can be hard with the constant fluctuations of the stock market it can leave you wondering whether any investment is likely to pay off well over a long period of time. If you've been putting off making investments because you're worried that the long-term returns might not be worth the initial investment, you might want to consider investing in precious metals such as gold and silver. These investments not only tend to perform well over time, but are also the standard that most investors fall back upon when trouble seems to be affecting every other portion of the stock market.
If you wish to know more about investing in precious metals such as gold and silver, the information below should help you with the basics and you preferred financial website or investment broker should be able to assist you with the specifics.
Investments in Gold and Silver
Many people aren't even aware that they can make investments in precious metals such as gold and silver via the stock market. These investments are often made in the form of indexes, and are traded in the same manner as if they were actual stocks. The value of these index shares will fluctuate depending upon the time of the year and other factors that can cause problems with the world economy, though precious metals such as gold and silver seem to grow in value the most during times of financial crisis when people are wanting to put their money into more secure currency standards.
Gold and silver investments also tend to increase seasonally, especially around Valentine's Day and Christmas when jewelry sales show their biggest increases.
Advantages of Gold and Silver
As mentioned above, one of the main advantages of precious metals such as gold and silver is the perceived value and stability against major fluctuations of value. Gold and silver have both served as the basis for various economies around the world, and even as other types of currency might rise and fall in value these precious metals are still as stable as ever. Factor in the value of metals such as gold and silver to the jewelry industry and you have an investment that's not likely to drop in value and fade away any time soon.
Disadvantages of Gold and Silver
Like any investment, however, investments in precious metals such as gold and silver aren't perfect. Prices can drop, especially when large amounts of new metals are being discovered in rich veins. Most drops in value are only temporary, but you should keep in mind that the same often applies to sudden increases in value as well particularly when those increases are influenced by trade issues or embargos that prevent the precious metals from one nation or another from reaching the world market.
Diversifying with Gold and Silver
Given the relative stability of investments in precious metals such as gold and silver, the index shares in these metals can be a great way to add stability when diversifying your stock portfolio. Adding shares of gold, silver, or other related indexes can not only add to the value of your portfolio but can also help add a little more security and protect against industry-wide drops in value that might otherwise drag your portfolio's value down until the affected industries can recover. This security is one that will likely last for years to come, as the value of metals such as silver and gold is not likely to drop significantly in the foreseeable future.
You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:
Saturday, May 12, 2007
investing in gold
Many countries and investors are of the mind that there are five relevant currencies in the world. These are the Eurodollar, the United States dollar, the British Sterling Pound, the Japanese Yen, and gold. The two that have been viewed as the best to invest in are the Eurodollar and gold.
Gold is a precious metal and therefore it is considered to be something that has value regardless of location, this makes investing in gold very appealing. The other advantage is that if is fairly stable in its value. There is a base amount of gold that is allowed to be mined and this is typically created into jewelry.
Many people have begun investing in this arena with the thought that their respective country’s economy will be collapsing. This is something that has been seen in numerous locations and most people who hold this view are deciding to store the gold themselves. This mode of thought is similar to the actions of some people who were investing in gold just prior to the Great Depression. This is something that was discouraged by the government back then, but is something that is common practice in today’s day and age.
There are also other people that purchase gold without any interest in actually holding or storing it themselves. This is something that has been seen throughout the world as websites like egold have become popular. They store the gold for individuals who are investing in gold and can also shift the gold from one person to another as a method of purchasing. This is a great alternative for someone who is new to investing in gold.
Some of the other methods of making this type of investment include purchasing the stocks in the stock market. These are still more stable than most other forms of investing. The one key difference is that investing in gold through stocks means that the gold will vary in value based on the supply and demand. Some have even resorted to investing in gold through the gold mines. This is something that has been done, although the value of the stocks will not change that much although there have been a few instances where money has been lost. This is something that can have a risk to it and is often discouraged by those that are better suited in this form of investing.
There are businesses today whose sole focus is in storing gold for investors. These are best suited for people who want to store the gold for short periods of time. Naturally there is a storage fee and the person who is investing in gold will be required to either sign over a portion of their investment to cover the cost or pay a flat fee. This will mean that if the gold is forgotten about and enough time passes, the gold will vanish. Sadly if this does occur, the person who was investing in gold has learnt a valuable lesson.
Many countries and investors are of the mind that there are five relevant currencies in the world. These are the Eurodollar, the United States dollar, the British Sterling Pound, the Japanese Yen, and gold. The two that have been viewed as the best to invest in are the Eurodollar and gold.
Gold is a precious metal and therefore it is considered to be something that has value regardless of location, this makes investing in gold very appealing. The other advantage is that if is fairly stable in its value. There is a base amount of gold that is allowed to be mined and this is typically created into jewelry.
Many people have begun investing in this arena with the thought that their respective country’s economy will be collapsing. This is something that has been seen in numerous locations and most people who hold this view are deciding to store the gold themselves. This mode of thought is similar to the actions of some people who were investing in gold just prior to the Great Depression. This is something that was discouraged by the government back then, but is something that is common practice in today’s day and age.
There are also other people that purchase gold without any interest in actually holding or storing it themselves. This is something that has been seen throughout the world as websites like egold have become popular. They store the gold for individuals who are investing in gold and can also shift the gold from one person to another as a method of purchasing. This is a great alternative for someone who is new to investing in gold.
Some of the other methods of making this type of investment include purchasing the stocks in the stock market. These are still more stable than most other forms of investing. The one key difference is that investing in gold through stocks means that the gold will vary in value based on the supply and demand. Some have even resorted to investing in gold through the gold mines. This is something that has been done, although the value of the stocks will not change that much although there have been a few instances where money has been lost. This is something that can have a risk to it and is often discouraged by those that are better suited in this form of investing.
There are businesses today whose sole focus is in storing gold for investors. These are best suited for people who want to store the gold for short periods of time. Naturally there is a storage fee and the person who is investing in gold will be required to either sign over a portion of their investment to cover the cost or pay a flat fee. This will mean that if the gold is forgotten about and enough time passes, the gold will vanish. Sadly if this does occur, the person who was investing in gold has learnt a valuable lesson.
Five Steps to Make Money from Home
Many advertisers are ready, and anxious, to pay you to watch their offers. You are a click away from the extra money you need. You can begin with as little as $0 but you will save a lot of time -and earn much more- investing some money.
Step 1
Open your e-gold account. It is essential, absolutely necessary, vital. I cannot stress the point enough. Even if you choose to begin with a free membership, you will need an e-gold account to withdraw your earnings. Stay away from sites that propose means of payment that nobody ever know about.
Step 2
If your email address is a yahoo, AOL or hotmail one, no program will accept you. (And you will be lucky if you receive your e-gold account number!)It is time to switch to gmail.
Step 3
Choose the programs you want to join. Spread your membership fees across proven 1%-1.5% programs with a few reliable 2-3% sites peppered in. You will consider programs offering 4%+ only when you already have some solid 1% sites as your foundation. In general higher percentage equals higher risk (with the possible exception of 12DailyPro). Before registering, read the page "Terms and conditions".
Step 4
Stay on plan: a day without surfing is lost. Follow an earning spreadsheet: tick the days you will have to upgrade, report day by day how much you earn. Surfing may easily pay $100 a day if you work seriously.
Step 5
Sit back and auto-surf. It is that simple.
Many programs make ridiculous promises. If you are a beginner in surfing industry, be sure you do not give in to the lure of profit. Join programs that have already be tested by other people.
Many advertisers are ready, and anxious, to pay you to watch their offers. You are a click away from the extra money you need. You can begin with as little as $0 but you will save a lot of time -and earn much more- investing some money.
Step 1
Open your e-gold account. It is essential, absolutely necessary, vital. I cannot stress the point enough. Even if you choose to begin with a free membership, you will need an e-gold account to withdraw your earnings. Stay away from sites that propose means of payment that nobody ever know about.
Step 2
If your email address is a yahoo, AOL or hotmail one, no program will accept you. (And you will be lucky if you receive your e-gold account number!)It is time to switch to gmail.
Step 3
Choose the programs you want to join. Spread your membership fees across proven 1%-1.5% programs with a few reliable 2-3% sites peppered in. You will consider programs offering 4%+ only when you already have some solid 1% sites as your foundation. In general higher percentage equals higher risk (with the possible exception of 12DailyPro). Before registering, read the page "Terms and conditions".
Step 4
Stay on plan: a day without surfing is lost. Follow an earning spreadsheet: tick the days you will have to upgrade, report day by day how much you earn. Surfing may easily pay $100 a day if you work seriously.
Step 5
Sit back and auto-surf. It is that simple.
Many programs make ridiculous promises. If you are a beginner in surfing industry, be sure you do not give in to the lure of profit. Join programs that have already be tested by other people.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Safety and Style: A Look at Gold Medical Alert Bracelets
Medical ID bracelets are becoming more and more necessary -- and increasingly popular. For many who are tired of dull stainless steel or silver bracelets, you can now buy a fashionable and elegant gold medical alert bracelet.
Whether shoppers are looking for yellow or white gold, they can find a gold medical alert bracelet in 14K gold. Using the Internet is an easy way to shop and compare prices for these bracelets. They cost approximately $250, depending on which online store you buy from. Getting a gold-plated or gold-filled medical identification bracelet can be cheaper and just as nice. Whichever you choose, it just goes to show that the medical alert bracelet and jewelry industry is growing to accommodate people with all styles in jewelry.
If gold jewelry is a persons preference, buying a gold medical alert bracelet is smart because its more likely to stay on. That is why selecting the metal can be just as important -- this is one piece of jewelry you do not want to take off. The fashionable gold will ensure that you want to wear the bracelet.
A company known as Healing Ribbons offers 14K satin and diamond cut medical alert bracelets, as well as medical condition awareness and celebration jewelry. Some of the gold medical alert bracelets also come with an 18K electroplate, and therefore make ideal gifts. They give an element of traditional fine jewelry to the aspect of medical alert bracelets.
Medical alert jewelry is important for all sorts of medical conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, epilepsy, implants, Alzheimers disease, allergies, and special medications. Because they can easily relay information to paramedics when a person cannot do it themselves, these bracelets are vital. These life-saving bracelets, no matter what metal they come in, are well worth the investment.
Medical ID bracelets are becoming more and more necessary -- and increasingly popular. For many who are tired of dull stainless steel or silver bracelets, you can now buy a fashionable and elegant gold medical alert bracelet.
Whether shoppers are looking for yellow or white gold, they can find a gold medical alert bracelet in 14K gold. Using the Internet is an easy way to shop and compare prices for these bracelets. They cost approximately $250, depending on which online store you buy from. Getting a gold-plated or gold-filled medical identification bracelet can be cheaper and just as nice. Whichever you choose, it just goes to show that the medical alert bracelet and jewelry industry is growing to accommodate people with all styles in jewelry.
If gold jewelry is a persons preference, buying a gold medical alert bracelet is smart because its more likely to stay on. That is why selecting the metal can be just as important -- this is one piece of jewelry you do not want to take off. The fashionable gold will ensure that you want to wear the bracelet.
A company known as Healing Ribbons offers 14K satin and diamond cut medical alert bracelets, as well as medical condition awareness and celebration jewelry. Some of the gold medical alert bracelets also come with an 18K electroplate, and therefore make ideal gifts. They give an element of traditional fine jewelry to the aspect of medical alert bracelets.
Medical alert jewelry is important for all sorts of medical conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, epilepsy, implants, Alzheimers disease, allergies, and special medications. Because they can easily relay information to paramedics when a person cannot do it themselves, these bracelets are vital. These life-saving bracelets, no matter what metal they come in, are well worth the investment.
Coin Collecting - The Top 10 List
Coin collecting. An associate of mine remembers receiving as a child a big paper bag of old US silver dollars, some going back as far as the late 1890s. Sometime between then and today he has misplaced that old paper bag. To this day he wonders if any of those coins might have been worth something.
There is no arguing that coin collecting is one of the biggest and most expensive hobbies in the world. The price tags of some old coins would turn your hair grey. In this article we're going to review the 10 most rare coins in existence. Wait until you see what some of these are going for.
Starting at number 10, there are the "proof gold" coins. Today the mint strikes millions of these coins every year and sells them to collectors from all over the world. However in the 19th century the mint struck only a few thousand of these each year and only a handful of proof gold coins. These are very rare and very expensive and sell very well in good and bad market times.
At number 9 we have early US gold coins struck between 1795 and 1834. These were minted in denominations of $2.50 $5 and $10. Today these coins are very rare in any condition and super rare in mint condition.
Coming in at number 8 we have the Liberty Seated Dollars. These coins are said to be the most beautiful ever made and one of the rarest of the 19th century coins. Both circulation strikes and proofs are very rare.
Hitting the chart at number 7 we have a very odd coin that was minted between 1875 and 1878. These were twenty cent pieces. Unfortunately the coin looked too much like a quarter to catch on with the public and there was no real commercial need for the denomination. Today they are highly prized collectors items. These coins today are very rare in top condition.
Number 6 on the coin hit parade are the Barber half dollars. These were minted between 1892 and 1915. They are one of the coin markets most important issues. They are collected by both "date" and "type" collectors and are the rarest of the 20th century silver type issues. These are very rare coins and to find one in gem condition is a once in a lifetime occurrence.
Midway up the chart at number 5 is the 1917 Type One Standing Liberty Quarter. This coin was made for only 2 years. The exposed breast of Miss Liberty caused such a commotion that they had to radically change the design midway through 1917. Since the 1916 is a 5 figure rarity (in the 10's of thousands of dollars) this coin is essentially a one year issue.
At number 4 are the Mercury Dimes. Even though this dime was minted between 1916 and 1945 proofs were made only between 1936 and 1942. Mercury dimes minted between 1940 and 1945 are actually reasonably priced and sell for about $50 a piece. The proofs are a little more expensive.
Just 2 spots from the top at number 3 is the Walking Liberty half dollar. This is also one of the world's most beautiful coins and extremely popular with coin buyers. These coins are very hard to find in mint condition. All five of the issues between 1941 and 1945 have made the all time rare coins price list.
Falling just short of number 1 at number 2 is the Texas Commemorative Half Dollar. This is actually the number 1 commemorative coin on the all time rare coins price list. Between 1934 and 1938 about 150,000 of these coins were minted. Only about 60 to 80% of those have survived to this day and only 50% of those grade MS65 or better. So this is indeed not only an extremely rare coin but actually considered scarce.
Finally coming in at number 1 is the Saint Gaudens. This $20 piece is probably the world's most well known coin. It is one of the most beautiful coin designs in history. This is one of the few coins that didn't drop in price during the 1980-1982 bear market.
In a future article we'll cover how coin collectors go about getting rare coins and where they can be found both on and off line.
Coin collecting. An associate of mine remembers receiving as a child a big paper bag of old US silver dollars, some going back as far as the late 1890s. Sometime between then and today he has misplaced that old paper bag. To this day he wonders if any of those coins might have been worth something.
There is no arguing that coin collecting is one of the biggest and most expensive hobbies in the world. The price tags of some old coins would turn your hair grey. In this article we're going to review the 10 most rare coins in existence. Wait until you see what some of these are going for.
Starting at number 10, there are the "proof gold" coins. Today the mint strikes millions of these coins every year and sells them to collectors from all over the world. However in the 19th century the mint struck only a few thousand of these each year and only a handful of proof gold coins. These are very rare and very expensive and sell very well in good and bad market times.
At number 9 we have early US gold coins struck between 1795 and 1834. These were minted in denominations of $2.50 $5 and $10. Today these coins are very rare in any condition and super rare in mint condition.
Coming in at number 8 we have the Liberty Seated Dollars. These coins are said to be the most beautiful ever made and one of the rarest of the 19th century coins. Both circulation strikes and proofs are very rare.
Hitting the chart at number 7 we have a very odd coin that was minted between 1875 and 1878. These were twenty cent pieces. Unfortunately the coin looked too much like a quarter to catch on with the public and there was no real commercial need for the denomination. Today they are highly prized collectors items. These coins today are very rare in top condition.
Number 6 on the coin hit parade are the Barber half dollars. These were minted between 1892 and 1915. They are one of the coin markets most important issues. They are collected by both "date" and "type" collectors and are the rarest of the 20th century silver type issues. These are very rare coins and to find one in gem condition is a once in a lifetime occurrence.
Midway up the chart at number 5 is the 1917 Type One Standing Liberty Quarter. This coin was made for only 2 years. The exposed breast of Miss Liberty caused such a commotion that they had to radically change the design midway through 1917. Since the 1916 is a 5 figure rarity (in the 10's of thousands of dollars) this coin is essentially a one year issue.
At number 4 are the Mercury Dimes. Even though this dime was minted between 1916 and 1945 proofs were made only between 1936 and 1942. Mercury dimes minted between 1940 and 1945 are actually reasonably priced and sell for about $50 a piece. The proofs are a little more expensive.
Just 2 spots from the top at number 3 is the Walking Liberty half dollar. This is also one of the world's most beautiful coins and extremely popular with coin buyers. These coins are very hard to find in mint condition. All five of the issues between 1941 and 1945 have made the all time rare coins price list.
Falling just short of number 1 at number 2 is the Texas Commemorative Half Dollar. This is actually the number 1 commemorative coin on the all time rare coins price list. Between 1934 and 1938 about 150,000 of these coins were minted. Only about 60 to 80% of those have survived to this day and only 50% of those grade MS65 or better. So this is indeed not only an extremely rare coin but actually considered scarce.
Finally coming in at number 1 is the Saint Gaudens. This $20 piece is probably the world's most well known coin. It is one of the most beautiful coin designs in history. This is one of the few coins that didn't drop in price during the 1980-1982 bear market.
In a future article we'll cover how coin collectors go about getting rare coins and where they can be found both on and off line.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Hardness of Gold: Misconceptions!
The Scottish Heirloom Company, like most jewellery manufacturers, produces our product range in Sterling Silver, 10 kt (karat), 14kt and 18kt gold.
When choosing items in gold, customers are often reluctant to choose the higher karats of gold. This is not due to the higher prices, but they have heard that 18 kt gold is softer and will wear away faster than 10kt.
Is this correct? - The answer is a definite "NO!".
This is usually a surprise to many customers and also to, strangely enough, many jewellery stores sales staff..
This incorrect belief is kind of understandable, as it is fairly well known that pure (24 kt) gold is too soft to be used in most jewellery and has to be alloyed with other metals to make it harder and more durable. It is then believed that the more of the other metals that are added to the gold, the harder it becomes. The sales staffs in some jewellery stores, that mainly sell cheaper 10 kt gold items, also sometime state this idea in order to help sell the 10 kt items.
Here are the approximate maximum "Vickers" hardness values of the various Karats of gold. The higher the number, the harder the alloy.
10 kt ............ 170
14 kt ............ 180
18 kt ............ 230
Sterling silver .. 65.
As you can see, contrary to most people's expectations, 18 kt gold is the hardest of the alloys.
The term 'Karat', also spelled 'Carat' comes from the Greek word for the seed of the Carob tree. These seeds are very uniform in weight and were once used as standard weights when measuring very fine items. The term Karat or Carat is now also used as a measure of the purity of gold, as a number of the parts of gold by weight in every 24 parts of a Gold alloy. The other metals included in most gold alloys are usually copper, silver and zinc.
24 kt is pure gold, with no other metals.
18 kt is 18 parts gold and 6 parts total of silver and copper. (75.0% gold)
14 kt is 14 parts gold and 10 parts total of silver and copper. (58.3%)
10 kt is 10 parts weight of gold to 14 parts of other metals. (41.6%)
Because Gold is so much heavier than the other metals, the actual amount of gold, by volume, in the different alloys is much less.
10 kt = 41% by weight and 24% by volume.
14 kt = 58.55 by weight and 39% by volume.
18 kt = 75% by weight and 61% by volume.
Which is best?
We always produce items, which are designed to be Heirlooms and as such are made to last for many generations. Whether it is 10, 14 or 18 kt, it is certainly not going to wear out. My favourite is, however, 18 kt gold. It is the hardest wearing, looks good and is almost 40% heavier than 10 kt gold, so feels as gold should, - solid, and heavy!
10 kt and 14 kt alloys also make very nice items.
It usually comes down to price, with 10kt gold being around half the price of 18 kt gold.
The choice is yours!!
The Scottish Heirloom Company, like most jewellery manufacturers, produces our product range in Sterling Silver, 10 kt (karat), 14kt and 18kt gold.
When choosing items in gold, customers are often reluctant to choose the higher karats of gold. This is not due to the higher prices, but they have heard that 18 kt gold is softer and will wear away faster than 10kt.
Is this correct? - The answer is a definite "NO!".
This is usually a surprise to many customers and also to, strangely enough, many jewellery stores sales staff..
This incorrect belief is kind of understandable, as it is fairly well known that pure (24 kt) gold is too soft to be used in most jewellery and has to be alloyed with other metals to make it harder and more durable. It is then believed that the more of the other metals that are added to the gold, the harder it becomes. The sales staffs in some jewellery stores, that mainly sell cheaper 10 kt gold items, also sometime state this idea in order to help sell the 10 kt items.
Here are the approximate maximum "Vickers" hardness values of the various Karats of gold. The higher the number, the harder the alloy.
10 kt ............ 170
14 kt ............ 180
18 kt ............ 230
Sterling silver .. 65.
As you can see, contrary to most people's expectations, 18 kt gold is the hardest of the alloys.
The term 'Karat', also spelled 'Carat' comes from the Greek word for the seed of the Carob tree. These seeds are very uniform in weight and were once used as standard weights when measuring very fine items. The term Karat or Carat is now also used as a measure of the purity of gold, as a number of the parts of gold by weight in every 24 parts of a Gold alloy. The other metals included in most gold alloys are usually copper, silver and zinc.
24 kt is pure gold, with no other metals.
18 kt is 18 parts gold and 6 parts total of silver and copper. (75.0% gold)
14 kt is 14 parts gold and 10 parts total of silver and copper. (58.3%)
10 kt is 10 parts weight of gold to 14 parts of other metals. (41.6%)
Because Gold is so much heavier than the other metals, the actual amount of gold, by volume, in the different alloys is much less.
10 kt = 41% by weight and 24% by volume.
14 kt = 58.55 by weight and 39% by volume.
18 kt = 75% by weight and 61% by volume.
Which is best?
We always produce items, which are designed to be Heirlooms and as such are made to last for many generations. Whether it is 10, 14 or 18 kt, it is certainly not going to wear out. My favourite is, however, 18 kt gold. It is the hardest wearing, looks good and is almost 40% heavier than 10 kt gold, so feels as gold should, - solid, and heavy!
10 kt and 14 kt alloys also make very nice items.
It usually comes down to price, with 10kt gold being around half the price of 18 kt gold.
The choice is yours!!
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