Why the Krugerrand Has No Face Value — and Why That’s the Point

The South African Krugerrand is the world’s first gold bullion coin — and one of its most deliberately designed. Launched in 1967 with no face value by intention, it cannot be debased by monetary policy. Here is how it works, why it was banned, and why nearly six decades later it remains the most liquid gold coin on the planet.

How to Spot Fake Gold and Silver: Authentication, Tests, and Red Flags 

Counterfeiting precious metals is as old as money itself. Knowing how to spot fake gold starts with understanding how fakes are made.   In September 2012, Manhattan dealer Ibrahim Fadl paid $100,000 for four 10-ounce PAMP Suisse gold bars. He drilled into them after a colleague’s tip — and found tungsten [NBC News]. The bars had already passed X-ray fluorescence testing and a scale check. With gold near all-time highs, the incentive for this kind of fraud has never been greater.  The good news: most fakes can be caught before money changes hands. This guide covers how counterfeits are made, which tests work, what […]