ETFs & FundsGLD vs IAU vs SGOL: Tracking Error and Why It Matters Long-Term
The big three gold ETFs all track spot, but tracking error compounds. Here is how 60 basis points becomes a serious drag over a 20-year hold.
May 10, 2026
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ETFs & Funds
InvestmentLBMA Good Delivery: The Standard That Defines Institutional Gold
LBMA Good Delivery bars are the institutional standard for gold trading. Here is what the standard actually requires and why it matters even for retail investors.
May 10, 2026
InvestmentAllocated vs Unallocated Gold: The Distinction That Saves Investors in a Crisis
Most "vault accounts" are unallocated, which means you are an unsecured creditor of a bank. Allocated storage costs more for a reason.
May 10, 2026
InvestmentHarry Browne's Permanent Portfolio: Why 25% Gold Made Sense in 1981
Harry Browne built a portfolio designed to survive any economic regime. Forty years later, the strategy still works, though the implementation has evolved.
May 10, 2026
InvestmentHow Much Gold? Backtesting 5%, 10%, and 20% Allocations Across 50 Years
The case for any specific gold allocation should rest on data, not feelings. Here is what 5%, 10%, and 20% gold portfolios actually delivered from 1972 to 2024.
May 10, 2026
Coins & BullionCounterfeit Detection: A Field Guide for Buyers Without a Lab
You do not need an XRF machine to spot 95% of counterfeit bullion. A scale, calipers, magnet, and a good ear catch the vast majority of fakes.
May 10, 2026
InvestmentPAMP, Valcambi, Perth: A Practical Guide to Bullion Bar Brands
Not every gold bar is created equal. Brand reputation, refinery accreditation, and packaging all affect liquidity when it comes time to sell.
May 10, 2026
Coins & BullionWhy Some Coins Cost 10x Their Metal Content: Numismatic Premiums Explained
A numismatic premium is the price above melt that a coin commands due to rarity, condition, history, or demand. Here is how to evaluate whether a premium is justified.
May 10, 2026
Coins & BullionThe Sheldon Scale Decoded: What MS-65, PR-70, and AU-58 Actually Mean
The Sheldon scale runs from 1 to 70, but the meaningful grading distinctions sit in a much narrower band. Here is what each number really represents.
May 10, 2026
Coins & BullionPre-1933 US Gold: Saint-Gaudens, Liberty Heads, and the Confiscation Premium
Pre-1933 US gold coins occupy a strange middle ground between bullion and numismatics. Here is when the premium is justified and when it is just dealer marketing.
May 10, 2026