§1Bullion pricing problems: stale spot feeds, hidden fees and misleading discounts
Bullion pricing problems, from stale spot feeds to hidden fees and misleading discounts, and the comparison basis that exposes each one before you pay.
Blog Bullion61 papers5 subject areas
How to verify a bullion seller and document an order
Verify a bullion seller by matching legal identity to state records, locking the quote, and keeping one dated file from payment through inspection.
§2Bullion quote and invoice checklist before you pay
Bullion quote checklist covering product identity, fine content, spot time, premium, payment, tax, delivery, insurance, substitutions, buyback, and records.
§3Fixed premiums, percentage premiums, and dealer spreads compared
Fixed premiums, percentage premiums, and dealer spreads compared through formulas, changing spot prices, product size, fees, bids, break-even effects, and use cases.
§4Do Bullion Dealers Report Cash Purchases to the IRS? Form 8300 Rules
Form 8300 bullion purchases: dealers must report cash sales over $10,000 to the IRS. Here are the thresholds, records, and penalties buyers should know.
§5When Is Gold Bullion Exempt From GST/HST in Canada? A Tax Guide by Province
GST HST gold bullion exempt in Canada if investment-grade. Provincial sales taxes vary, with Ontario PST carved out for bullion. This guide explains the rules.
§6Guide to Bullion Insurance: Scheduled Personal Property vs Homeowners Riders
Bullion insurance homeowners vs scheduled coverage: why standard policies cap or exclude coins, and how endorsements, appraisals and floater limits really work.
§7How to Buy Gold in a Self-Directed IRA Without Prohibited Transactions
Self-directed IRA gold rules require an IRS-approved custodian, a qualified depository, and avoiding disqualified persons. Here is what compliance looks like.
§8IRS Form 8949 for Physical Gold Sales: How to Report Capital Gains
IRS Form 8949 gold sales must be reported sale by sale, with basis and proceeds on Schedule D. Here is who files, what to keep, and the penalty for getting it wrong.
§9Pawn Shop Bullion Inspection: How to Test and Price Gold Coins Before You Buy
Pawn shop bullion inspection starts with a state license check, not a price quote. Ask for written tests and spot-price math before you buy gold coins.
§10Physical Gold in a Living Trust: How to Title Bullion for Heirs Without Probate
Physical gold living trust titling decides whether heirs get bullion directly or through probate. Here is what trustees must disclose, keep, and file.
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Guides
Bullion dealer and marketplace due-diligence guide
Check who legally sells you the metal, what the marketplace actually covers, and which records prove the deal if the bar never arrives at your door.
Features
Avoiding bullion scams in Florida, common schemes and state resources
Florida bullion scams hit retirees hardest: telemarketing fraud, fake storage schemes, and IRA rollover tricks. Learn the warning signs and how to report.
Guides
Bullion storage options in Texas, a guide to the state depository and vault rules
Texas bullion storage runs from the state depository in Austin to private vaults in Dallas and Houston, each with its own title, insurance and fee terms.
Guides
Buying bullion in Alaska, no sales tax but shipping and logistics hurdles
Buying bullion in Alaska avoids state sales tax, but local taxes, carrier limits and freight to Anchorage or Fairbanks decide your real cost.
Rules
What does the CFTC do about gold and silver futures fraud?
CFTC bullion futures oversight covers COMEX gold and silver contracts, not retail spot metal, and pays whistleblowers who report precious metals futures fraud.
Reviews
How to evaluate bullion dealers in New York City, licenses, complaints and COMEX ties
To evaluate bullion dealers New York City buyers should check COMEX membership, BBB complaints, New York attorney general records and FINRA registration.
Latest from Blog Bullion
Guides
How to verify a bullion seller and document an order
Verify a bullion seller by matching legal identity to state records, locking the quote, and keeping one dated file from payment through inspection.
Guides
Bullion dealer and marketplace due-diligence guide
Check who legally sells you the metal, what the marketplace actually covers, and which records prove the deal if the bar never arrives at your door.
Guides
Affordable jewelry and watches from the ground up (2027 update)
Affordable jewelry and watches explained by material: what plated, filled, vermeil and solid actually mean for wear, and where a watch's price genuinely goes.
Guides
Which jewelry and watch brands actually deserve the price, in 2027?
Ranked jewelry and watch brands for 2027, judged on hallmarking, servicing and resale value, with what each luxury house is actually good at.