Gold is a metal that is found in nature. It is one of the most valuable metals in the world because it doesn’t corrode, and it has a very low reactivity to other elements. Gold also has a very low melting point, meaning it can be turned into a liquid relatively easily.
One of the most common questions about gold is whether it is magnetic or not.
Dozens of Olympic athletes took the podium to receive gold, silver, and bronze medals in the Beijing Winter Olympics last month.
Olympic medals are an iconic part of the events, but what are they actually made out of? How much do they weigh? What are they worth from a precious metals standpoint? Read on for some insight into what Olympic medals are composed of as well as what made the Beijing medals unique.
Wales is known for its dramatic scenery–steeped in mystery and romance. It is covered in majestic heather-clad hills cut by cascading waterfalls and mountain streams that rush through gladed valleys.
Yet, beneath the quartzite exterior, there is another treasure–as valuable as it is beautiful. Perhaps you have heard that there is gold in them thar (Welsh) hills, but did you know that Welsh gold has decorated the finger of every royal bride dating back to the Queen Mother’s wedding in 1923? What is it about Welsh gold that makes it the top choice for Britain’s monarchy?
Gold has been a treasured precious metal throughout human history. Even dating back to ancient times, it has held a significance of beauty and status that set it apart from all other precious metals. Gold was also the metallic basis of many circulating coins through the early 20th century.
In today’s world, gold coins are at the top of almost every coin collector’s or coin investor’s want list. Some are more likely than others to be found in circulation. One collection of coins the experts at Gold Guys commonly see is the American Arts Commemorative Series.
American Arts Commemorative Series Medallions are a series made up of ten gold bullion medallions. They were produced by the United States Mint beginning in 1980 and ending in 1984. These coins were sold to compete with other bullion coins including the South African Krugerrand.
After the United States Department of the Treasury started selling portions of the national stockpile of gold, this series was first suggested by North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms. Iowa Representative, Jim Leach, proposed that the medallions portray notable American artists. The bill containing the authorizing legislation into law was signed by President Jimmy Carter on November 10, 1978, regardless of objections from Treasury officials.