How Gold Karat Works: 10K to 24K Explained
A walkthrough of what karat means, how purity is calculated, and why the karat stamp matters when discussing the value of gold jewelry.
Educational pieces on how gold and coins are valued, what to look for on different pieces, and what to know before selling. Nothing exhaustive, just useful starting points.
A walkthrough of what karat means, how purity is calculated, and why the karat stamp matters when discussing the value of gold jewelry.
Where to find the mint mark, what each mark means (P, D, S, CC, O), and why mint marks can dramatically affect a coin’s value.
Saint-Gaudens, Liberty Head, Indian Head. The major US gold coin series before the 1933 Gold Recall, and why they remain collected.
The difference between solid sterling and silver-plated pieces, where to look for hallmarks, and why the distinction matters for value.
A primer on how the spot price of gold and silver works, why it moves daily, and how it factors into a quote on bullion or jewelry.
Why some Morgan dollars sell for melt value while others command four-figure premiums, and the dates that fall in each category.
How coin grading works from Poor (P-1) up to Perfect Mint State (MS-70), what each grade level looks like, and when grading is worth it.
A practical first-steps guide for handling an inherited coin collection: what to look for, what to leave alone, and what to ask about.