Gold Spot Price Charts

Gold Bullion FAQ:

Learn Why Gold is a Good Investment

Why invest in gold?

In times of economic uncertainty, certain commodities have been considered a safe haven for investors. Throughout history, gold has been perhaps the most important of the aforementioned commodities, providing protection and confidence for buyers looking to hedge their portfolio against inflation or simply own the world's oldest currency.

Gold is:

• A hedge against inflation
• Accepted as a valuable commodity worldwide
• Historically known to retain its value
• Integral to a diversified portfolio

Who should buy gold?

If you're new to the bullion buying process, you might not be sure if gold is right for you; however, purchasing this precious metal is one of the safest investments you can make. Gold is a time-tested commodity that has proven its value throughout history. Additionally, Provident Metals leads the industry in buy-back pricing for bullion. So, if you're an investor looking to hedge your portfolio and diversify your stock, gold is an excellent choice. If you are looking for collection pieces or enjoy gifting valuable and memorable pieces of history, gold bullion products can offer you the perfect solution.

Learn the answers to frequently asked questions about Spot Price

What does "spot price" mean?

The spot price of gold is the current market value of one troy ounce of pure gold. Like other commodities, the price of gold will fluctuate as a product of social, political, and economic uncertainties. Historically, gold has increased in value, despite periodic price corrections. Consequently, gold is used by many investors as a secure and conservative strategy for increasing the value of their diversified investment portfolio.

What affects spot price?

Spot price is constantly changing, as a multitude of factors have the ability to affect the market. Some of these factors are:

• Politics - changes in leadership have the ability to greatly alter spot price; if people are concerned about elections and changes in policies, specifically those affecting money, they tend to flock to safe haven investments, like precious metals
• Economic developments - Federal changes in interest rates, taxes, etc. occur, spot price also changes as public perception of the economy may become more positive or negative
• Supply and demand - in times of excess production and decreased demand, spot price for gold may decrease; vice versa, limited production and increased demand may drive spot prices up
• Environmental conditions - any type of environmental influence that affects production has the ability to change spot price, as it will alter the available supply of the precious metal

Why does spot price matter?

Spot price is the same for every precious metals dealer; however, each dealer sells bullion with a premium added to the current spot price. Knowing the premium will help you determine where to get the best value on your gold bullion purchases.

Not only is it important to know spot price when investing in bars and rounds, but because gold has a multitude of other uses, spot price can help determine prices of things like jewelry, electronics, and even visits to your dentist.

What currency is spot price quoted?

Spot price is quoted in many different denominations throughout the world. On Provident Metals' website, spot price is quoted in US dollars (USD).

How often does spot price change?

Because many factors affect spot price, it is constantly changing. Throughout the years spot price for gold has fluctuated greatly; just ten years ago, you could purchase gold for less than $800/oz. Today, gold spot price is considerably higher. Projections call for continued increases in price due to economic and political factors.

When is spot price on my order determined?

When you shop Provident Metals' website, your order total will change with the spot price until you arrive at the "Place my Order" page of the checkout process. Once you place your order, you will have two minutes to accept and confirm your purchase at the locked in spot price. If you do not confirm during those two minutes, your total will be subject to any changes in spot price.

Will Provident Metals change spot price on my order once it's complete?

Once you confirm your order, your purchase is complete, and your total will not change. You will receive a confirmation email with all your purchase details. If you have any questions about your order, please feel free to call one of our helpful representatives at 800-313-3315.

How does Provident Metals determine spot price?

Provident Metals does not determine spot price; spot price is decided at the COMEX in New York City. It is the universal price used by dealers worldwide; though, each dealer will add their own individually determined premium to the spot price to sell bullion.

Why can't I buy gold at spot price?

In the same way you could not buy a loaf of bread for the collective cost of just the ingredients, you cannot typically purchase gold at spot price. A baker would add a premium to the bread to account for the overhead used when baking; similarly, a dealer must add a premium to spot price in order to cover the cost of being in business and make a profit.

What unit of measurement does spot price use?

Spot price utilizes the troy ounce (ozt).

Learn about the gold buying process

I'm a new to gold bullion; how should I start my investing?

For new investors, we have a few suggestions for first time purchases. The following are our most popular gold bullion products:

• 2016 1/10 oz American Gold Eagle - The 1/10 AGE offers accessible pricing for new investors looking to start their precious metals portfolio
• 2016 1 oz American Gold Eagle - the 1 oz AGE offers investors quality, sovereign bullion with a $50 face value and a much higher intrinsic value from the gold with which it is composed
• 2016 1 oz Canadian Gold Maple Leaf - the 1 oz CGM is another stunning sovereign round that is IRA eligible and crafted from .9999 fine gold
• Provident Metals 1 oz Gold Bar - this privately minted 1 oz .9999 fine gold bar offers an incredibly low premium and efficient stackability

What is the COMEX?

The COMEX is the Commodities Exchange; it is the marketplace in which precious metals are bought and sold.

What is "ask price?"

The ask price is a function of spot price, and is defined as the minimum price to sell in the market.

What is "bid price?"

The bid price is a function of the spot price, and is the maximum price to complete a transaction in the market.

What is a "premium," and why do I have to pay it?

The premium is the amount added to the spot price by a dealer. It covers the dealer's overhead and allows the dealer to make a profit. Gold is like any other product sold by a business; without a premium added to the spot price, a business would operate at a loss and could not survive. Online retailers, like Provident Metals, are able to function with lower overhead than a brick and mortar store, and therefore offer bullion at the lowest possible premium.

What is the difference between a troy ounce and an avoirdupois ounce?

An avoirdupois ounce (AVDP) is slightly heavier than a troy ounce. I troy oz = 1.097 AVDP oz. The usage of the troy ounce is believed to have begun in a French marketplace named Troyes. Because the marketplace housed dealers from all over the world, a universal unit of measurement was created to trade commodities- the troy ounce.

When browsing bullion products, make sure you are viewing products in 1 troy oz weights; it is not uncommon for dealers to try to confuse buyers by using different units of measurement to appear to have low premiums.

How many grams are in a troy ounce of gold?

1 troy ounce = 31.10 grams

How many ounces are in a kilogram of gold?

1 kilogram = 32.15 troy ounces

What is the Gold-to-Silver Ratio, and why does it matter?

The gold-to-silver ratio illustrates the relationship between gold and silver and indicates the number of silver ounces required to purchase one ounce of gold. To determine the gold-to-silver ratio at any given point, simply divide the current spot price of gold by the current spot price of silver.

If gold spot price is $1342.08 and silver spot price is $19.82, then:

$1342.08 âž— $19.82 = 67.7.

If you round to the closest whole number, you find the gold-to-silver ratio is 68.

Knowing the gold-to-silver ratio helps you determine the best time to buy a commodity. When the ratio is low, gold is typically a good precious metal to buy and silver is good to sell. When the ratio is high, gold will typically offer a great return, while silver is best to buy.

When is the best time to buy gold?

The best time to buy gold is when you can afford to purchase it without too much risk; this may be different times for different people.

Throughout the years, gold spot price has increased substantially. Current economists predict a continued rise in pricing for this precious metal, as well. Knowing the gold-to-silver ratio is important, and diversifying your portfolio is essential. Owning gold is a smart way to hedge against inflation, and watching the market to see what changes may be taking place can help you make wise decisions when investing to maximize your return and minimize risk.

What is price fixing?

Price fixing is gold pricing controlled by the five companies that make up the London Bullion Market Association (LMBA). Twice daily, the LMBA adjusts the price of gold to match current supply and demand circumstances. The price is set in US dollars and available on LMBA's website (www.lmba.org).

What is "price manipulation" and does it still happen?

Price manipulation is the illegal tampering of gold prices by non-sovereign banks or other vested parties to create a market favorable to private interests. Unfortunately, it does occur at times, though those who participate in price manipulation do face prosecution when discovered.

What is the difference between a private mint and a sovereign mint?

A sovereign mint is owned and operated by the government and offers bullion that functions as guaranteed, legal tender with a face value. A private mint is run by a privately owned business and offers bullion rounds and bars that do not function as currency.

What is the benefit of privately minted bullion?

Purchasing privately minted bullion has several benefits versus purchasing sovereign minted bullion. First, private mints have less overhead and are not guaranteed as legal tender, making the premium on rounds and bars lower. Additionally, private mints typically create themed bullion for collectors of a wide variety of subjects from history to wildlife to comic books and superheroes.

What is the benefit of sovereign bullion?

When you purchase sovereign bullion, you have legal tender, guaranteed by the government by which it was issued. Premium may be higher, but your coins will always be worth their face value, at minimum, which allows you peace of mind. Because sovereign bullion is government issued, it is widely accepted throughout the world. Additionally, the government guarantees the weight and purity of the coin.

Does the face value of sovereign bullion affect its worth?

The face value of sovereign bullion guarantees the minimum worth as the noted face value, but it does not impede the oftentimes much greater intrinsic value of the coin which it gains from the gold with which it is created. A 1 oz coin with a $50 face value is guaranteed to be worth at least $50, but the 1 oz of gold it is composed of makes it much more valuable.

What is the difference between numismatic coins and bullion coins?

Bullion coins are most common investment of gold investors because they have a straightforward value; they are guaranteed at their face value (should they have one), and have a specific value based on the spot price of their metal of composition. They are ideal for investing due to their simple pricing and stackability.

Numismatic coins are marketed to collectors. They are coins whose value is derived primarily from the coin's rarity and collectibility. Importance is placed less on the amount of gold with which is it composed and more on the history and significance of the coin itself.

What are the most popular Provident Metals' products? Why?

Typically, the most popular Provident products are those with a low premium or sovereign minted coins which can function as currency. Provident frequently offers bullion at prices just slightly above spot price so you can build your investment, affordably.

In addition to products priced with ultra low premiums, Provident Metals offers a wide variety of uniquely designed rounds and bars to add value and beauty to your investment portfolio.

Do I pay tax on physical gold?

If you purchase gold online from Provident Metals, you will not be charged sales tax because tax is not required in Texas where the Provident Metals headquarters is located.

How should I invest in gold?

When investing in any commodity, make sure you are first aware of any potential risks. Investing can be a very fruitful experience if you first research the market. Gold is a wise investment due to its use in currency and its history of retaining its value. There are different ways you can invest in the yellow metal:

• Physical Bullion - retailers, like Provident Metals, sell physical bullion which you can purchase and store; this is beneficial for those who like to see and touch their investment
• Precious Metals IRA - purchase and store your gold bullion with a trusted custodian to fund your future; Provident makes this process simple and efficient

What is a precious metals IRA?

A precious metals IRA is a self-directed Individual Retirement Account which is held by a custodian and contains your gold (and other precious metal) investments. Many investors choose to diversify their portfolios with a precious metals IRA as a way to hedge against inflation.

Is it safe to purchase bullion online?

Of course! Provident Metals has been a trusted provider of gold bullion online for several years, and we have thousands of reviews from happy customers. We ship discreetly to ensure your package is safe. If you have any questions about the purchasing process, feel free to contact one of our helpful representatives at 800-313-3315.

Learn how to sell your gold

How do I sell my gold?

You have a variety of ways to cash in on your gold investment, depending on the type of ownership you have. If you have physical bullion, you have a few options:

• Provident Metals is a buyer of gold bullion- if you have at least $1000 of bullion to sell, contact us for pricing and turn your gold into cash
• Visit your local coin shop or dealer to make a sale
• Sell your bullion on ebay

Because gold is the oldest and most widely accepted form of currency worldwide, you can rest assured your investment will always be highly valuable and easily liquidated.