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Whether you're new to gold and silver investment or you are an experienced investor, in the index you will find all the information you will need to make an informed investment decision. We have assembled these articles to help beginner and experienced investors alike.

Simply click on the titles below to access the relevant information.

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999 Gold

999 gold is considered the best purity of gold readily available, and is described as being 24 carat. This refers to purity in parts per 1,000 – known as fineness – meaning 999 parts are gold. Pure gold is soft and malleable, making it impractical for many applications. When used …

9 Carat Gold

What is 9 carat gold? Commonly found in jewellery, 9 carat gold is an alloy containing 37.5% pure gold, while the rest is made up of another metal or metals. Typically, 9 carat gold will be made of 37.5% gold, 42.5% silver and 20% copper. However, it is also possible …

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Allocated Gold

There are many ways you can pin your money on gold, however not all of them allow you the privilege of physically owning the gold in which you have invested. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), for example, effectively allow investors to bet on the movement of the gold price, without owning …

Allocated vs Unallocated Gold

Many investors in precious metals will find themselves asking the question- what is the difference between allocated and unallocated gold? Here we have compiled a list of some of the pros and cons of the two popular forms of bullion investment in order to allow you to make the best …

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Biggest gold coin

With gold coins no longer being used in circulating currency, instead serving as collectable items or investment assets, the competitive nature of humans has unsurprisingly spilled into the domain of mints and refiners. The pursuit of making the biggest gold coins is an expensive one, but a few mints have …

Biggest gold mine in the world

The Grasberg mine, located in Indonesia, is the biggest gold mine in the world. It is also the second largest copper mine in the world; the ore mined at Grasberg produces relatively high grades of both metals. Copper is the primary commodity, with 2.8 billion tonnes of provable copper deposits …

Bretton Woods agreement

The Bretton Woods agreement was a new monetary system created by world leaders after World War II. It changed the global economic outlook and financial system for much of the 20th century, shaping the modern world. Following the Second World War, the Bretton Woods Resort – more commonly referred to …

Bullion Coin Dealers

Whether you are a bullion investor, a coin collector, or a combination of the two, there is nowhere better to buy your gold, silver, or platinum bullion coins. We are experienced bullion bar and coin dealers with a wide range of popular and famous bullion coins from world renowned mints. …

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California gold rush

The California gold rush took place between 1848, and the late 1850s. The discovery of easily accessible gold deposits saw huge numbers of people flock to California, in an attempt to strike it rich. It is estimated that, over the course of the gold rush, 300,000 people relocated to California …

Canadian Maple Leaf Bullion Coin

The Maple Leaf is the national symbol of Canada, appearing on its flag and it is only natural that it should feature on the official bullion coin issued by the Canadian government every year. The Canadian Maple Leaf is produced by the Royal Canadian Mint and issued annually by the …

Coin Collecting

As the UK’s No.1 online bullion dealer*, the majority of BullionByPost’s customers are interested in buying gold, silver, and platinum coins as shields against inflation and economic instability. However, some of the coins that we sell also attract customers of a slightly different nature. Coin collecting, or numismatics, has been …

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Does gold rust?

Pure gold is a noble precious metal, and the least reactive of all metals. Gold does not rust, nor will it tarnish. However, because almost all gold manufactured items are not 100% pure they can potentially rust and tarnish over time. Pure gold is extremely malleable, and as such manufacturers …

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Fool's gold

Iron Pyrite, also known as fool’s gold, is a sulphide mineral that has gained infamy throughout history for its resemblance to gold. With a brass-yellow hue, Pyrite has fooled many a prospector into believing they had found their fortune, only to later realise their mistake. The deceptive appearance garnered the …

Fort Knox gold

Fort Knox, officially titled “The United States Bullion Depository”, stores much of the United States’ gold reserves. It is part of the US Mint, and thought to hold 2.3% of all the gold ever refined in the world. US Mint figures for January 2018 put the total gold held in …

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Gold Coin Prices

Relatively affordable and easy to store, coins offer an excellent, flexible way to invest in gold. Gold bullion coins differ greatly from circulated, ‘numismatic’ coins. Although they may well be given a nominal face value, in reality the material worth of their bullion content is much higher than that. In …

Gold measurement

Gold measurement could refer to two different aspects of an item; purity and weight. Both are vital measurements in working out what a gold item is worth, with the physical size being less accurate as an indicator. The weight of gold is most commonly measured in a unit known as …

Gold mines in Australia

With a rich and diverse mining history, Australia was ranked third in the world among gold producing nations as of 2020 falling slightly behind Russia and China. Australia mines just over 300 tonnes annually, and is believed to have massive reserves of 9,500 tonnes of gold still underground. Australia's iron …

Gold Mining Stocks vs Physical Gold

Physical bullion is not the only way to gain exposure to the gold price. As well as unallocated accounts, ETFs, and paper gold, investment in mining companies is another huge industry that depends on demand for the precious metal. Although this is not strictly the same as buying gold, the …

Gold price and interest rate relationship

Gold and interest rates traditionally have a negative correlation in the relationship between the two. It is not guaranteed but usually the gold price goes up when interest rates go down, and down when rates go up. This is because rising interest rates make stocks, government bonds and other investments …

Gold Price Forecast 2017

After an incredible year for gold in 2016, we take a look at the expert’s predictions for 2017… Generally speaking, the gold price forecast for 2017 is a mixed bag. With many of the conditions that aided last year’s rally still at force, there is a general, if understated belief …

Gold Price Predictions for 2016

January 20th 2016 Opinion within the industry appears divided as to what the gold price is going to do in the coming twelve months. The new year has so far seen a general upturn in the price of gold, with the precious metal’s value increasing by more than £50 in …

Gold purity

Understanding gold purity is essential for getting an accurate valuation of an item. In most cases the purity of a gold item should be hallmarked or indicated in some other way, but below we discuss how gold purity is denoted, and some of the common figures you should see. Pure …

Gold rush Australia

The gold rushes of Australia began officially in 1851, and would continue for decades as more gold deposits were discovered. Unlike the California gold rush or Klondike gold rush, the gold rushes in Australia covered a huge amount of land across the entire country, though specific locations like Victoria and …

Gold Sovereign Dimensions

One of the world’s most famous bullion coins, the gold Sovereign comes in a variety of denominations, sizes and weights, namely the Quintuple Sovereign, Double Sovereign, Sovereign, Half Sovereign, and Quarter Sovereign. Click here for information on gold Sovereign weights. As well as having different nominal face values, these 22 …

Gold Sovereigns

The gold Sovereign was first minted under Henry VII more than 500 years ago and was circulated as currency until 1931, when the British Gold Standard was abandoned. It is arguably the archetypal British gold coin, despite not being the biggest or most expensive. Despite having a face value of …

Gold vs Silver

The gold: silver ratio is the proportional relationship between the respective values of gold and silver or, in other words, how many ounces of silver can be bought with one ounce of gold. It is common knowledge that gold is much more expensive than silver, however the difference between the …

Gold vs Stocks

All investors have their own reasons for wanting to invest their money and this tends to influence their decision when it comes to choosing a particular asset. Different assets offer different benefits and risks depending on their nature and this will influence an investor's choice. Gold is typically seen as …

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Half Sovereigns

The Half Sovereign is a 22 carat coin containing 3.66g of fine gold, with a face value of half a pound. This value is based on the fact that, like all denominations of Sovereign, they are legal tender. However, as an uncirculated bullion coin, the Half Sovereign’s gold content makes …

How Many Grams in an Ounce of Gold?

When it comes to comparing prices, sizes, or calculating the premium, it is important for investors to understand exactly how much gold they have. A common cause of confusion in this regard takes place with gold coins, which are most commonly minted and quoted in ounces. How many grams are …

How Much Gold Is There In The World?

Until we have mined all the gold underground, collected everyone’s jewellery, every gold tooth, coin, bar and more we won’t be sure exactly how much gold there is in the world. Even then, we wouldn’t have accounted for all the gold in the sea, or inside our very own bodies. …

How much is 1 ton of gold worth?

It is difficult to give an exact value for a ton of pure gold, but a current, and very approximate, figure would be €56,089,940. An exact price is difficult to give because the price of the yellow metal, usually quoted in troy ounces, is constantly changing. Plus, to further complicate …

How Much is a Gold Coin Worth?

Like gold bars and ingots, the price of a gold bullion coin is not fixed and depends on a number of variables including its weight, gold content and the gold spot price. Although many gold coins are assigned nominal face values, in reality they are worth considerably more in terms …

How Much is a Guinea Worth?

What is a Guinea? The Guinea was originally produced in 1663 and was the largest denomination in British currency until it was replaced by the pound in 1816. The name ‘Guinea’ apparently refers to the fact that the gold used for minting coins in the 17 th Century was supplied …

How Much is a Silver Dollar Worth?

Between 1794 and 1935 the US dollar coin was minted in silver. Although this coin has a nominal face value of one dollar, a silver dollar is worth much more than that due to the value of its pure silver content. Like all precious metal bullion products, the price of …

How Much is Gold Worth?

Page Contents The Gold Price How Much is my Scrap Gold Worth? The Value of Gold The Gold Price The official price of gold is always changing, meaning that the material worth of your gold bars and coins and even any jewellery you own is constantly fluctuating. Twice each day, …

How to Invest in Platinum

Platinum investment Once an investor has decided which metal, or metals, they wish to purchase, the question of ‘how to invest’ remains. There are several investment products available to potential owners of platinum. Below we explore some of the more common methods, looking at some of their advantages and disadvantages, …

How to Invest in Silver Bullion

There are a variety of ways to invest in silver, and it can often be difficult to know which is the best option for you. A lot will depend on your budget and your motivations for investing in bullion. Below we explore some of the different methods available, so that …

How To Tell If Gold Is Real

For as long as gold has been part of human culture it has been valuable and highly sought after, and as such there have always been those who have tried to make it themselves through counterfeiting. To avoid the risk of spending your money on something that is not real, …

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Investing in Precious Metals

Why do People Invest in Precious Metals? There are so many ways to invest your hard-earned money, and so many banks or brokers offering regular returns on your initial investment. In a world that is dominated by a desire to accumulate more, where new technologies and practices are revered, it …

Investing in Silver

By far the least e xpensive of the precious metals, silver is often considered a ‘poor man’s gold’. However, as bullion dealers with a reasonable amount of knowledge on the subject, we believe that this is an unfair comparison. As two rare and precious metals, it is tempting to use …

Invest in Gold and Silver

For thousands of years, the scarcity and natural beauty of gold and silver has led to them being been considered commodities of significant material value. Archaeologists and treasure hunters are constantly digging up old gold and silver coins, evidence of the timeless link between wealth and precious metals. Despite the …

Is Gold a Safe Investment?

A major concern for anyone with money is how to keep hold of it. Investors will often look to maximise the safety of their wealth but with so many options available to us today it can be difficult to know how to do this effectively. Bullion is a popular asset …

Is it a good time to sell gold?

The ultimate goal of any investment is to eventually sell and, hopefully, make some money. Gold and silver can differ slightly from this, insofar as they are typically used as a hedge or insurance against other markets crashing (check out the reasons to buy gold). Some investors do however buy …

Is it illegal to own gold?

The first thing to make clear is that, no, owning gold is not illegal, and in the EU it has been legal for many decades! Customers can rest assured that the products we sell at BullionByPost are entirely legal. Is it legal to own gold? In the EU, investors are …

Is it Safe to Buy Gold Online?

Buying gold online for the first time can be quite a daunting prospect. Sending money to somebody you don’t know in good faith that they will send you your gold or silver in return is understandably a nerve-wracking experience. That is why we make transparency and customer service our absolute …

Is it the Right Time to Buy Gold?

May 31st 2016 Gold fell by 5.3% (-£47/ oz t) in May, triggered by the Fed's announcement that it intends to raise US interest rates in June. After 3 consecutive weeks of decline brought gold to a three-month low last week, some speculators are arguing that this may be the …

Is Platinum Better than Gold? Choosing your Metal

Is Platinum More Valuable than Gold? Throughout history platinum has tended to be more expensive than gold and is generally considered to be the most valuable metal of all. Culturally, there is a hierarchy amongst the precious metals which roughly translates into their material value. At the top of this …

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Klondike gold rush

The Klondike gold rush (also known as the Yukon gold rush) was a period of huge migration as prospectors flooded into the Klondike region of Yukon, Canada, between 1896 and 1899. It is estimated that 100,000 people set out for the Klondike region in the hope of finding their fortunes; …

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Largest consumer of gold in the world

Working out the largest consumer of gold in the world is not a simple task. It can be measured in different ways, each of which produce different results. The general ranking for gold consumption has remained relatively stable in recent years, with only a few countries increasing or decreasing their …

Latin Monetary Union

The Latin Monetary Union was established in a treaty between France, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy (including the Papal States) in 1865. The aim of the Latin Monetary Union was to enhance trade between the various countries by standardising the weight and dimensions of their coinage. It came into effect on …

London Bullion Market Association (LBMA)

The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) was founded in 1987 by the market’s regulator at the time, the Bank of England. It is the trade association for the ‘over the counter’ gold and silver market in London.The association is responsible for the regulation of such areas as refining standards, trading …

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Melting point of gold

The melting point of gold - 1,064 degrees Celsius - is one of the many properties that make it a unique, desirable, and versatile metal. Below we discuss the various key numbers related to the melting point of gold, as well as the implications of them. What is the melting …

Milk spots on silver coins

We are often asked about milk spots on silver coins: What are they? Do they affect a coin's value? Can they be removed? Milk spots are marks that appear on the surface of a silver coin. The white or off-white colouring bears a resemblance to milk – hence the name. …

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Platinum Investment

While the use of gold and silver as stores of wealth can be traced back to ancient civilisations, investment in platinum bullion is a much newer phenomenon. However, since the 18 th century, investment demand for platinum bars and coins has grown exponentially. Platinum is much scarcer than either of …

Platinum vs Gold

Related Pages Platinum Investment Platinum Bars Having fascinated mankind for thousands of years, many would argue that gold is the definitive precious metal. However, while such a statement would not necessarily be false, gold bars and coins are not the only option you should consider for your investment portfolio. All …

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Rare Coins

Rare coins are a popular hobby and method of investment. The study and collection of coins and other forms of currency is known as numismatics and the demand from collectors of rare coins can often lead to the inflation of their prices. In theory, the worth of a bullion coin …

Rare Gold Sovereigns

Gold Sovereigns are one of the world's most famous gold coins and are a popular choice for investors looking for an asset with a proven ability to maintain a high value. As bullion coins, they are usually valued by multiplying their fine gold content by the spot price at that …

Royal Mint

The Royal Mint is the organisation responsible for the production of British coins and is the official manufacturer of all coins in the United Kingdom. It has been in operation for more than a millennium, since it opened as the London Mint in the year 886 AD, and also produces …

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Should I Buy Gold or Silver?

Investing in precious metals is a big commitment, and it can be difficult to know which one to choose. We would always recommend a diverse portfolio containing both, covering you for any possible scenario, however, we’re aware that it’s not always possible. In order to help your decision, then, we …

Silver Fix

The term ‘Silver Fix’, refers to the benchmark used for the trading of silver bars, silver coins, and other silver assets across the world. For more than a hundred years, major players in the silver industry would hold a conference every day, at 12 noon GMT, in which they would …

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The biggest gold nuggets

The discovery of one of the world’s biggest gold nuggets always sends shockwaves of excitement throughout the mining world, but it entices the general public too. The idea of finding a lump of the dense precious metal is the dream of many prospectors. The weight, the unique shine and – …

The most expensive metal

Many investors ask which is the most expensive metal in the world. Making a list of the most expensive metals is difficult however, and is always subject to change due to the changes in each metals price. The most expensive metals are generally classed as precious metals and/or noble metals. …

Types of silver

There are many different types of silver. This is because pure 100% silver is soft and malleable. For most practical applications silver is mixed or alloyed with other harder metals, typically copper. Different types of silver are therefore defined by the type and amount of other metal used in the …

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Unallocated Gold

While allocated gold becomes your physical, ‘allocated’ property when purchased, unallocated gold is gold in which you invest, but do not actually own. It remains the property of the bank or organisation, and makes up their physical liquid reserve to be sold off in times of a liquidity crisis in …

Uses of gold

Gold’s historical allure is well known. Throughout the ages, civilisations have venerated the precious yellow metal, coveting its lustre and value. The idea of gold jewellery or coins is well established, but gold is also used in other ways - some that might surprise you! Owing to five distinctive properties, …

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Valuable Coins

Whatever the asset or the size of the commitment, investing your money always entails an element of risk and investing in valuable coins is no different. With such a huge variety available at a huge range of prices, it can be difficult to know which is the best choice. In …

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What Causes the Gold Price to Fluctuate?

Predicting the gold price is not easy. The trading of gold is carried out in a global marketplace and as such is influenced by an enormous variety of different economic, social, and political factors. This makes it difficult to relate the fluctuations in the value of gold and silver to …

What is a Gold Ingot?

What is a Gold Ingot? Although the word is probably used much more loosely, an ingot is technically a specific type of gold bar. The word refers to the specific process by which these bars are manufactured - they are produced by pouring molten gold into a mould. The word …

What is a Troy Ounce?

What is a troy ounce? When looking to invest in precious metals you may well have noticed the common use of the term ‘troy ounce’, to weigh gold bars and as a unit of reference for the gold spot price. A troy ounce is an imperial unit of measure. It …

What is Gold Bullion?

In simple terms, the term 'bullion' refers to gold, silver and other precious metals in the form of bars, ingots, and coins. It is the form in which precious metals are traded on the commodity markets. The origins of the word are unclear, although there is general agreement over the …

What is gold used for?

We all know what it is. Gold. We all know that it’s a rare, pretty, and expensive metal. For thousands of years the human race has valued it highly and worked hard to obtain it. But what is it actually used for? The most obvious answer is, of course, jewellery. …

What is Silver Used for?

Top Silver Uses As well as being a precious metal used in jewellery and investment bullion, silver is an incredibly useful material that plays a huge role in a variety of important industries. Silver is the most conductive and reflective of all metals, making it incredibly useful in an enormous …

What is the cheapest way to buy silver?

If you have decided to invest in Silver - read more on why buying silver is a good idea - then one of the next questions you’re likely to ask yourself is what is the cheapest way to buy silver? Buying cheap silver means making the most money when you …

What is the Chemical Symbol for Gold?

The chemical symbol for gold is Au, taken from the Latin word for gold- Aurum. Its atomic number is 79, meaning that an atom of gold contains 79 protons. Despite being very dense, gold is more malleable than all other metals and it’s possible to beat a single ounce of …

What is the Chemical Symbol for Palladium?

The chemical symbol for palladium is Pd and its atomic number is 46, meaning the nucleus in an atom of palladium contain 46 protons. It was discovered by William Hyde Wollaston in 1803, who named it after the asteroid Pallas . It is considered a sister metal of platinum and …

What is the Chemical Symbol for Platinum?

The chemical symbol for platinum is Pt. The metal takes its name from the Spanish word for silver- platina . This is due to their aesthetic similarities and the fact that it was named by the Spanish upon finding it in what is now Colombia. Like gold, platinum is a …

What is the Chemical Symbol for Silver?

The chemical symbol for silver is Ag, coming from the Latin word for silver – Argentum . Interestingly, it is the same root word for the French word argent , which means both silver and money, telling us a lot about the historical affinity between wealth and precious metals. Silver’s …

What is the COMEX?

The COMEX is the principal market in which precious metals contracts are traded. The COMEX is administered by the CME Group, which oversees around 3 billion options and future, making it the largest derivatives market in the world. The COMEX was formerly known as the Commodity Exchange Inc. but changed …

What is the Face Value of a Sovereign?

The British gold Sovereign is one of, if not the most famous bullion coin in the world and was first introduced as long ago as 1489, under Henry VII. The coin has a face value of £1, although as an uncirculated bullion coin, a Sovereign’s real value is based on …

What is the GLD? - Bullion vs ETFs

What is a Gold Exchange-Traded Fund? While allocated physical gold is, in our opinion, the best way to invest in gold, it is not the only way. An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a type of security, a fund, that can be traded on the stock exchange. They may contain assets …

What is the Gold Standard?

A gold standard, or a gold standard currency, is a monetary system in which the monetary unit is supported by the value of physical gold bullion. While the money in circulation is not necessarily made out of precious metal, the idea is that the unit of currency can be exchanged …

What is the London Gold Fix?

What is the London Gold Fix? The London Gold Fix is the process behind the pricing of gold bullion and other gold related assets. It has been an essential part of gold investment since its inception in 1919. The Gold Fix was traditionally set by 5 leading gold trading banks …

What is the Meaning of Bullion Market?

In the world of gold investment, a term you will often come across is ‘bullion market’, but what does this actually mean? The bullion market refers to the ‘place’ where the over-the-counter trade of gold and silver bullion takes place. The bullion market is open 24 hours per day, with …

What is the Weight of a Gold Sovereign?

The weight of a gold Sovereign is 7.98 g, with a pure gold content of 7.32240 g. They measure 22.05 mm across and are 1.52 mm thick. The value of a Sovereign is calculated by multiplying its gold content - 7.3224 g - by the gold spot price. There are …

When Should I Buy Gold?

When is it the Right Time to Invest in Gold? Gold is widely acknowledged to be a lower risk than many assets, but knowing when to buy gold can maximise the potential of this investment. In reality, the best time to buy depends on the desired outcome of your investment. …

Where Does Gold Come From?

Origins of Gold There’s something about gold that we find irresistible. This soft, shiny metal has formed an integral part of our monetary system for thousands of years, as well as having a huge importance in jewellery and, more recently, playing an important role in medicine and everyday technology. The …

Why are silver premiums so high?

One of the most common questions for investors looking at silver is why the premiums are so high compared to other precious metals. If we take a look at an ounce of each metal at the time of writing, the premium above spot price for a 1oz bar of each …

Why Buy Silver Instead of Gold?

Investing in precious metals is a big commitment, and it can sometimes be hard to know which out of gold and silver is the best metal to invest in. Ideally, we would all have a diverse portfolio containing both among other investments to cover all eventualities. However, we’re aware that …

Will the Value of Gold Increase?

Before committing to an investment, the key question most of us ask is will the value of this asset increase in the future? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is as unclear as the future itself. Nothing in life is certain. So many different factors are at play that our …

Will the Value of Silver Increase?

Predicting the Silver Price The main concern of any investor before parting with their hard-earned money is whether or not their investment will offer a good return. Of course the difficulty is that all assets are prone to rise and fall in value as external forces make them more or …

World Gold Council

The World Gold Council is the market development organisation for the international gold industry. Made up of a number of the world’s eighteen largest gold mining companies including Barrick, China Gold, Newmont Mining Corporation and Silver Wheaton, the World Gold Council works with its members’ combined expertise to further gold’s …