Month: January 2023

5 Reasons to buy NGC- and PCGS-Graded Gold and Silver Coins

5 Reasons to buy NGC- and PCGS-Graded Gold and Silver Coins

When you purchase a graded coin, the benefits can far outweigh the upfront cost. These grading organizations have been around for decades and are recognized around the world for their accuracy, quality and attention to detail. 

The Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) is a grading service for precious metal products such as gold coins and silver coins. Their 30+ professionals examine and grade millions of coins, and seal them in a protective holder for long-term preservation. The NGC is the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association, the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) and the National Silver Dollar Round Table (NSDR).

PCGS is also a third-party grading service and highly respected name in these services. Their team of experts is highly skilled and provides a 100% guarantee on each coin they grade. The PCGS site has easy forms to submit, tools to determine the value of your coins as well as forums to speak with other coin investors from around the world. 

Let’s take a look at five of the top reasons why someone should get their gold or silver coin graded by NGC or PCGS.

Confidence in Your Purchase

Not knowing the grade of your gold or silver coin can leave you questioning its true value and importance. Letting professionals help you through this process is a prudent and potentially profitable way to better understand your coin.

Forever Protected from Damage

You can only do so much to protect your coins without encasing them in a protective holder. Coins graded by the NGC and PCGS arrive back to you in a case that ensures each coin is 

Coin Counterfeit Detection

Let the professionals determine if your gold and silver coins are counterfeit with the NGC and PCGS technology that surpasses anything you can buy yourself. 

Make More Money

When buyers are confident in the product they are buying, there is a higher chance that they will be willing to offer more money for it.

Security

“Mom and pop” grading services simply can’t compare to the security at these organizations. Each facility has large vaults, armed guards, security cameras and fences. Upon arrival at either facility, your product is assigned a tracking code, and any handling is only performed by trained staff. 

Now is the time to expand your graded coin investments. Buy certified silver coins from Royal Bull.

How Gold & Silver Bullion is Made: Minting vs Casting

How Gold & Silver Bullion is Made: Minting vs Casting

Not all precious metal products are made the same. When it comes to bullion (highly pure bulk gold and silver) although they all start the same, there are many different ways that they can look when they are shipped to savvy Canadian investors. Many know what a gold coin and silver bar looks like, but many precious metal products are minted while others are cast. What’s the big deal between the two?

Let’s explore the differences between minting and casting to better understand the benefits for investors.

How is Bullion Cast?

Gold or silver is raised to a very high temperature until the precious metal is completely melted. The liquid metal is then carefully poured into moulds until full. The bottom of the moulds usually has the predetermined design etched into the bottom. The liquid gold or silver is then cooled and removed from the mould, revealing the design. The final step is cleaning and preparing the bar for sale. 

Note that casted bullion will have minor imperfections, especially on the back of the bar.

How is Bullion Minted?

Cast metal is pressed into a long, thin sheet, then punched with a die. Each piece, often circular or rectangular, is also washed in acid and polished. Using a large press, each piece is stamped with a particular, uniform design on the front and back of the piece. The design often includes the precious metal content, the name of the mint and a range of other unique elements.

This technique ensures that each piece is more or less identical while mass-producing bullion at a scale that’s impossible any other way. Each minted piece of bullion, whether a gold coin or silver bar, also has a beautiful shine.

Since minting bullion is a more complex process, these products often have a higher retail price for investors and collectors.

To view a wide selection of minted and cast products, see Royal Bull’s online shop at www.RoyalBull.ca/shop.

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Cryptocurrency vs. Gold

Cryptocurrency vs. Gold

The death of cryptocurrency is almost here, yet many people are still hoping – praying – that unregulated digital currencies will somehow not only reverse their downward spiral but exceed their previous rallies.

Canadian investors have more choices than ever, yet choosing the ‘right’ investment opportunity is a timeless challenge. 

Royal Bull thinks that with thousands of years of value to back it up, gold should be high on the list of options. 

Which is the Better Investment Option: Crypto or Gold?

Cryptocurrencies Can Withhold Your Money Whenever They Want

No rules govern these digital currencies, so the businesses (and sometimes only a few individuals) that operate them can simply decide not to give you your money. Recent news stories about this have caught the attention of many, as investors have been cut off from their their entire fortunes.

Cryptocurrencies Can be 100% Worthless

To invest in cryptocurrencies means that you need to be prepared to lose everything. The coin price may drop 25%, 50% and even 100%. The cryptocurrency could drop to zero at some point, taking your money with them. 

Gold will never be worthless. Although the price fluctuates, its essential purposes in jewellery, investments, electronics, manufacturing, dentistry and much more will ensure that over the long term, the price is much more likely to rise.

If You Lose Your Password, You Are Done

Cryptocurrencies require your unique permissions to access them. Did you happen to forget your password? That’s too bad – your entire retirement savings is now gone.

Did you forget where you stored your gold in your house? After a while of searching, you’re bound to find it as it is a physical product that is much more challenging to lose.

Crypto is Boooooring

You watch numbers go up and numbers go down, and The gimmicky names associated with them provide far less excitement than the makers of the currencies advertise. (Ahem, Dogecoin.)

Physical gold comes in the form of bars or coins. Coins can have intricate designs of lions, maple leaves, and even kangaroos! Being able to touch, hold and show your physical gold investment to others is one of the best ways to connect with your investment on a scale unheard of in the crypto world. 

Gold Wins in the Long Term

Although crypto has its legion of superfans, few can experience the growth, confidence and long-term prospects that have always been found in gold. Start your dream of investing in gold today with Royal Bull’s Canadian gold bar and coin shopping page.