Course 3 · Foundation
Precious metals from the ground up
What the metals are, how they are weighed and priced, and what makes one coin cost more than another.
10 lessons, about 83 minutes
What you will be able to do
- Read any metals quote correctly, including fineness and fine weight.
- Explain why a small coin costs more per ounce than a large bar.
- Compare two dealer offers as arithmetic rather than as sales talk.
Lessons
Lesson 1 · 7 min · free preview
What counts as bullion?
Bullion is metal valued for its content rather than its rarity.
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Lesson 2 · 8 min · free preview
Troy ounces, grams and the mistake buyers make
Metals are priced per fine troy ounce, not per kitchen ounce.
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Lesson 3 · 7 min
What does .9999 mean?
Fineness states purity, and it determines eligibility as much as value.
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Lesson 4 · 9 min · free preview
Why the spot price is not your price
Spot refers to a standard wholesale contract; you buy products.
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Lesson 5 · 9 min
What a fair premium looks like
Premiums scale inversely with size and vary by product and conditions.
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Lesson 6 · 8 min
Coins or bars?
The choice is about divisibility, recognisability and cost per ounce.
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Lesson 7 · 9 min
Silver or gold — what is the actual difference?
Different price behaviour, different storage burden, different demand base.
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Lesson 8 · 8 min
Where do platinum and palladium fit?
Smaller, more industrial markets with thinner liquidity.
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Lesson 9 · 9 min
How do I know metal is genuine?
Recognised products, sealed assay, and simple physical tests.
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Lesson 10 · 9 min
How selling actually works
You are quoted spot less a spread, and the spread is negotiable information.
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Rather ask a person?
A specialist will answer a specific question without a pitch. No account needed, no obligation. Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm Pacific.