I'd like to put my spare pennies into 'real money' but am a bit daunted by all the different options out there... I'd really like to hear from someone here who has actually bought from one of these companies and had successful/secure delivery.

Thanks!

-- Gold Finger (buying@it.all), December 08, 1999

Answers

You might check your yellow pages for coin dealers. It's really the simplest way. Just call them up and ask for their price for 1-ounce coins of your favorite nationality. Then go in and buy them like you would anything else, with cash or a cashiers check. For current prices, see http://www.ajpm.com/htbin/go ld.cgi

-- You Know... (notme@nothere.junk), December 08, 1999.

Try either

http://www.tulving.com

or

http://www.ajpm.com

Both are quite good and I have experience with both.

-- Goldilocks (goldinthem@hills.com), December 08, 1999.

If you want to avoid sales tax, though some states don't tax coin sales, try Ron Paul & Co. at 1-800-982-7070 or if you live in California try The Moneychanger at 1-901-853-6136. Ron Paul & Co., which is a desk at Burt Blumeert's Camino Coin, gives you free shipping if you purchase 20 coins. The most recognized full ounce gold coin with the least premium is the Krugerand. The lowest premium coin near an ounce is the Austria-Hungary 100 Corona (WW1 era), it is slightly under a full ounce of gold though, so not as popular as the Krugerand. The most popular full ounce coins are the American Eagle and the Canadian maple leaf, hence they have a higher premium over spot. In fractionals the most popular with the lowest premium are the old British sovereigns, however they are just under 1/4 ounce, so most people prefer the Krugerands, eagles, and maple leafs since they are even fractionals 1/10, 1/4, and 1/2 and of course have a larger premium than the sovereign. The lowest premium fractionals are the columbian 5 peso or the French or Swiss 20 Franc, usually. Please note that fractionals have a much higher premium than one ouncers. The smaller the coins, the bigger the premium. Please note that fractionals are hard to find some times at any price! Consider buying "junk" silver for small amount value per coin. See SILVER.TXT at http://home.earthlink.net/~kenseger/surv/surv.htm for info on junk silver.

-- Ken Seger (kenseger@earthlink.net), December 08, 1999.

www.ajpm.com is excellent. Gold is smart and secure and is almost sure to rise in value before long with or without Y2K.

-- cody (cody@y2ksurvive.com), December 08, 1999.

Another to check out: Washington Square Coin Exchange

I have used him - Jim Kellison - did business in person as I am close enough. But most of his business is over the internet.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), December 08, 1999.

Just a note on gold... there are cheaper ways to buy bullion than Gold Eagles, but I was advised that there is a reporting loophole for Gold Eagles - when you sell them back you don't have to file any report. Not sure of the details.. check with Jim at Washington Square Coin Exchange or your own dealer... but it could be a reason to get Eagles even if they cost a bit more.

Junk silver is good too, as mentioned above... if you can still get any.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), December 08, 1999.

You cannot beat Swiss America for not only have they advised me on the best strategy but Merick is a y2k GI and is helping me in other areas too. Best advice yet Example Wanted to pay my mortgage ahead without having to pay escrow. Wanted my insurance and taxes to pay local with cash so I wouldnt have to send checks after Dec. 15th. He advised writing my mortgage company and asking them for a non escrow account. Walla they did it and now all is well. My mortgage is paid till April (186.00 a month) Insurance paid locally and taxes are not due till Oct. of 2000. Thanks Merick

-- Susan Barrett (sue59@bellsouth.net), December 08, 1999.

I used Blanchard.

The bullion is expensive, and they'll try to sell you numismatics and platinum, but I have it in hand. Any size, they'll get it.

-- nothere nothere (notherethere@hotmail.com), December 08, 1999.

I have made twelve purchases from AJPM with no problems. But total elapsed time from order placement to post office delivery is just about two weeks.

I wanted to buy some more, but I believe that is now too close to the Christmas rush and the rollover. I can buy from a local coin shop, but the price will be at least 8 percent higher plus 5 percent sales tax.

dave

-- dave (wootendave@hotmail.com), December 08, 1999.

AJPM--no problems.

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), December 08, 1999.

Blanchard. Very good service. When cashing in: $4 over spot price.

Tried and true.

Remember: TAKE POSSESION! A piece of paper that says you hold gold is not even as valuable as t.p.

-- Sara Nealy (keithn@aloha.net), December 08, 1999.

Thanks very much to you all - yes, it is rather close to the end of the year, but that's when you know how much you have left over!

-- Gold Finger (buying@it.all), December 08, 1999.