You need what is called a Value Calculator.  With a value calculator you just enter the amount of metal you have in either ounces or grams and the calculator will tell you its price.  It factors in the exact current market price so you know that the value of your metal is correct.

This is the first step: finding value.  So where is this calculator?  You might have seen the links to the side of the screen in our link section, but here are the sites: For Gold go to GoldPerOunce.net, for silver go to SilverPerOunce.com, for platinum go to PlatinumPerOunce.com, and for Palladium go to PalladiumPerOunce.com.

These resources are an essential tool in your buying and/or selling of precious metal.

Silver Maple Leaf coins are one of the best widely known fine silver 1 ounce coins you can get.  Their quality is high and the purity is as close as you can get for silver.  And the Canadian Maple Leaf is very affordable, always hovering just over the market price of silver.  The reason it is a few dollars more than the market is because coins have a melt value but they also have a collector's value.  Many people collect coins just for the artwork or just for the hobby, rather than an investment, so they will pay a little more for certain coins, and the silver maple leaf coin is one that outshines the rest.

The silver maple leaf is a coin that can always be resold and holds its value well.

4 Leaf Stick Pins Maple Colorful Gold Silver Free Ship    US $5.00

999 PURE SILVER MAPLE LEAF BAR 1 GRAM INVEST    US $3.95

2010 UNCIRCULATED SILVER CANADIAN MAPLE LEAF 9999    US $23.00

999 FINE SILVER 1GR MAPLE LEAF BULLION BAR IN AIRTIGHT    US $4.00

SILVER MAPLE LEAF    US $1.39

2010 1oz SILVER OLYMPIC CANADA MAPLE LEAF COIN    US $21.55

1988 CANADIAN 1 oz fine SILVER MAPLE LEAF COIN 9999    US $19.59

CANADA MAPLE LEAF MINTED BULLION BAR Pure Silver    US $1.39

1988 CANADIAN SILVER MAPLE LEAF COIN 9999 1 oz fine    US $19.59

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Right now, as of January 15, 2009 the cent's face value is barely worth more than its melt value.  A pre 1982 penny has 95% copper and 5% zinc in it.  Right now if you were to melt down 50 cents it would only be worth 48 cents so obviously it wouldn't be worth it.

Now, should you still hold on to your 1982 and older lincoln pennies?  Perhaps.  Pennies dated from 1983 are worth much less than their face value since they are no longer made with copper.  With the current economic times and all the bailouts and unended spending by the government with money we don't have it is only a matter of time before American money's true value plummets.  We are talking hyperinflation, Zimbabwe style.

What will this mean?  It means your pre 1982 pennies melt value will soar above it's face value.  Also consider that copper is a highly used metal that is consumed more than it is produced especially as India and China come online.

Keep on to your copper pennies?  I'll let you decide, but I'll let you know my collection is growing larger...

Side note:  Don't buy "coin value" guide books.  They no longer work, because if you can't find someone to pay the value of the coin than its not worth that much.  Why not try getting true market value on eBay:

OLD US COINS 1905 RARE INDIAN HEAD PENNY ESTATE CENT NR    US $1.29

OLD US COINS 1904 RARE INDIAN HEAD PENNY ESTATE CENT NR    US $2.26

OLD US COINS 1903 RARE INDIAN HEAD PENNY ESTATE CENT NR    US $1.29

2010 LINCOLN PENNY RARE D 13 CENT EAGLE SHIELD STAMP    US $52.00

Full Mint Roll of 2010 Canadian Penny non magnetic Rare    US $4.99

Elongated Pressed Penny 1937 FORD RARE RETIRED WHEAT CO    US $5.24

Elongated Pressed Penny DAYTONA 1988 BIKE WEEK RARE    US $2.99

Elongated Pressed Penny 1948 FORD RARE RETIRED WHEAT CO    US $2.99

RARE UNSEARCHED PENNY ROLL WHEAT INDIAN HEAD MERCBONUS    US $10.25

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The reason this can happen is since gold is the standard, sometimes it is hit with rapid market fluctuations that these other metals are not hit with.

These good precious metals to start investing in are silver, platinum, rhodium, and palladium.  Some other good investments are copper(bullets!) and aluminum(recycling).

The first question I always get is where can I get these other precious metals and after I buy them will I be able to sell them.

Yes, and yes, these precious metals may not be as popular as gold but they are just as liquid, which means you can sell them just as easily.

Here are some places to buy these metals:

Silver - Here at DiscountSilverCoins of course.
Platinum - eBay
Palladium - Buy-Palladium.com
Gold - The best stores to buy gold are GoldNuggetSale.com or GoldNuggetShop.com
Rhodium

PLATINUM GERALD FORD PRESIDENT COIN FRANKLIN MINT    US $99.99

PLATINUM JIMMY CARTER PRESIDENT COIN FRANKLIN MINT    US $99.99

PEN GOLD SILVER PLATINUM TESTER TEST COIN METAL 0 ACID    US $35.00

2006 W Early Release Platinum Eagle 4 Coin Set NGC MS70    US $3,183.00

2006 W Platinum Eagle 4 Coin Set NGC MS70 Rare Coins    US $3,183.00

2005 American Eagle Platinum Proof Four Coin Set Mint    US $3,350.00

50 State Quarter Platinum State Coin Set Uncirculated    US $36.05

2009 Australia $50 Platinum 1 2 oz Coin NGC Gem Proof    US $849.99

RARE US PLATINUM COIN 2006 W PROOF 10D NGC PF70 PR70    US $600.00

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If you are here you are probably interested in silver or gold.  Maybe you have discounted gold because it costs more, and silver price moves tend to reflect gold, but are cheaper to purchase.  Or perhaps you want to invest in silver to add to your child or grandchild's college fund.

But finding the place to buy silver is hard.  There are sharks out there(both online and locally) that will rip you off on both ends.  They may buy your gold or silver but not for what its worth, or they will sell coins to you, but take a large spot price(commission) on the sale, making a hefty profit while at the same time making your money immediately worth less than its intrinsic value.

So where to go?

There are two good places.  A good place is Bullion Direct, a great place is eBay.  Bullion Direct is decent because their prices reflect the market and their spot price isn't too expensive.  They are cheapest compared to any other big seller of precious metals.

But the secret best place I have found to buy discount silver coins, and discount gold coins is eBay.  Yes, eBay.  The largest person to person marketplace in the world.  Since many items are sold at auction by regular people many don't realize how much their silver is worth.  The beauty of it is the market decides the price, which means you pay what you feel the silver or gold is worth.

Often you can get silver at or below spot price making it worth its intrinsic market value or even worth more if you got it below market value.   And whenever you can't get gold or silver elsewhere you can always get it on eBay.  It's free to join, and you will save alot of money over the other guys that you can put into more investments.

25 DIRECT FIT H39 AIRTITE SILVER ROUND COIN HOLDERS    US $11.95

SILVER BEAUTIFUL COINS 50 STOTINKI 1883 BULGARIA    US $39.99

100 DIRECT FIT H39 AIRTITE SILVER ROUND COIN HOLDERS    US $39.99

2008 RMAF Air Force 2009 Malaysian Navy Silver Coin    US $163.36

1995 1 OZ SILVER KANGAROO COINBRILL UNCIRC    US $23.73

14 silver coins shillings1946 1963    US $15.06

ROLL OF UNSEARCHED WHEAT PENNIES SILVER BONUS COIN    US $8.79

1943 P SILVER WALKING LIBERTY HALVE VERY NICE COIN    US $8.00

1943 P SILVER WALKING LIBERTY HALVE VERY NICE COIN    US $8.00

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I don't buy and sell.  I buy and hold, but even if you buy silver as an investment it is important to learn about good buying points.  Why should you buy at $13, when the charts show that it will be $10 in two months, even if it is still in an upward trend.  You invest that money short term somewhere else and then buy the silver when it is low.  That makes a better ROTI(return on time investment).

The chart above shows an overall upward trend, but using candlesticks you will see a large drop(red), followed by a small range trading bar.  This is an engulfed bar, which often signifies a swing in trading, so we should see prices swing from about $10.50 and go up.

Silver is one of the most solid investments to put your money in as it is cheap, retains its value and can't get caught up in bank scandals and bailouts.  I prefer to put my money into silver coins, bullion and bars.

OLD RARE NUMBERED 10 OUNCE 999 ENGELHARD SILVER INGOT    US $199.61

1 Ounce 100 Mill 999 Pure SILVER Overlay BLACK Bar    US $9.99

LOT 5 ONE TROY OUNCE 999 SILVER CLAD MARIJUANA BARS    US $39.95

1 Ounce 100 Mill 999 Pure SILVER Overlay RED Bar    US $9.99

1 TROY OZ WALKING LIBERTY BAR 999 SILVER OUNCE INGOT    US $22.81

1 TROY OZ MERCURY DIME 999 SILVER OUNCE    US $17.50

1 OZ BUFFALO NICKEL 999 SILVER OUNCE ROUND    US $18.60

One 1 2 oz Jefferson round 999 fine silver half ounce    US $8.95

ONE OUNCE MAKE MARIJUANA LEGAL 100 MILS 999 SILVER BAR    US $7.95

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1966 Clint Walker MAYA Orig Half Sheet Movie Poster    US $14.99

Walker Texas Ranger Hells Half Acre by James Reasoner    US $2.00

1963 P FRANKLIN HALF BU UNC AND ONE 1947 P WALKER    US $12.99

US COINS 1942 S SILVER LIBERTY WALKER HALF DOLLAR    US $3.25

War Set Walker Halves 1941 1947 {20 coins dlx box}    US $339.99

1943 P XF Walker Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollar    US $12.60

1943 D Fine Walker Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollar    US $11.83

1937 P Fine Walker Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollar    US $11.83

1935 S VG Walker Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollar    US $11.83

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The walking liberty silver half dollars are older coins and becoming more and more rare as time goes on. They're certainly unique and offer a great gift idea or exceptional investment opportunity. So whether you're looking to expand your silver collection, diversify your investments, or just looking for a unique and affordable gift, we've got walker half dollars for everyone.

2010 P SACAGAWEA GREAT LAW OF PEACE ONE DOLLAR NGC MS67    US $299.00

1924 s NGC MS64 PEACE DOLLAR LUSTEREOUS TRENDS $2200    US $1,067.00

1923 P PEACE DOLLAR SILVER NGC MS 64 A REAL BEAUTY    US $34.00

1925 P PEACE DOLLAR SILVER NGC MS 64 A REAL BEAUTY    US $40.00

1922 P PEACE DOLLAR SILVER NGC MS 64 A REAL BEAUTY    US $34.00

1922 P PEACE DOLLAR NGC GRADED MS 63 SECOND YEAR    US $26.89

1923 BINION PEACE Dollar HOARD COLLECTION NGC    US $32.43

1923 P Peace Dollar NGC MS64 AWESOME 0302 7    US $22.50

1925 P Peace Dollar NGC MS64 AWESOME    US $34.99

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Each one of these silver dollars has been graded by NGC, a leading name in coin grading and certification services. NGC graded silver coins come in hard plastic "slabbed" containers that show the specific grade of the coin and preserve them for decades to come. Great gift idea.