Gold is one of the most remarkable of all metals. It is rare, beautiful, valuable, eminently useful, nearly indestructible, and so universally desired that it has become the very symbol of wealth and luxury. Being “rich as Croesus” is as well understood today as it was 2,500 years ago when gold was first used in the form of coins. Long before that, gold ornaments were worn by the few who could afford them, as symbols of power and affluence. An appreciation of gold objects seems to be ingrained in everyone, and can probably be attributed to its nearly universal appeal as something of great beauty. There is nothing else quite like the shimmer and splendor of pure gold.

Science has shown that most of the gold on this planet has come here as residue from outer-space events. Much of the gold now used in jewelry, coins, and industry has been recycled from other objects once used in ages past. The very gold ring now on your finger may once have been part of the Inca treasure taken from the New World by Spanish conquistadors. The gold filling in your tooth could have been a fragment of a distant star that exploded billions of years ago.

The habitual recycling of gold is commonplace because the supply of newly mined gold is so limited. It has also been precipitated by owners who have taken advantage of unexpected profits through its increased value. Gold is never just discarded. It has always been so valuable that it is constantly being salvaged for reuse in one form or another. Tiny gold coins that were considered extremely valuable by ancient civilizations were eventually melted and made into larger coins to better serve their growing economy. Over the years the value of all gold objects seems to have continuously increased to astonishing heights, making them even more coveted.

In actuality, the cost of gold has changed very little over the years. It is the value of currency that has changed to the point where it takes more dollars, pounds, euros, or yen to purchase an ounce of the precious metal. It is for this reason that gold, once the international money of choice, has become recognized as a hedge against inflation, and a stable storehouse of value. Its universal desirability has maintained it as such throughout the years; only its limited availability has prevented it from being the ideal form of world currency. It is still, in the 21st century, “the stuff that dreams are made of” and a cherished commodity of worldwide importance.

Whether you intend to buy, sell, hold, or ignore this noble metal, you will have all of your questions and concerns addressed in GOLD: Everything You Need to Know to Buy and Sell Today. The procedure involved in buying and selling gold is not especially easy for the occasional shopper. Gram weight, fineness, daily spot price, and profit margins are not everyday considerations. Through charts, insider tips, and clear concise directions you will be able to maximize the satisfaction of your transactions.

While all that glitters is not gold, your experience with gold will sparkle with the information and exciting facts herewith presented by two of the country’s most experienced traders in precious coins and metals.

Numismatic researcher and writer Kenneth Bressett shares his thoughts on GOLD: Everything You Need to Know to Buy and Sell and its always-fascinating subject.