Precious Metals

Our focus is primarily on gold and platinum at this time. As far back as 4000 BC, gold was used to fashion decorative objects; jewelry followed a thousand years later; and by 1500 BC, it became the medium of exchange for international trade. Gold reserves have been used by governments to back the value of paper currency although this use has waned in recent times. In addition, gold has been a valuable material for industry with a wide array of applications, from telescope mirror coatings to electrical connections, to healthcare applications. And, of course, gold has always been viewed as an instrument for storing wealth especially in the form of coins and bullion bars.

Platinum is used in catalytic converters, laboratory equipment, electrical contacts and electrodes, platinum resistance thermometers, dentistry equipment, and jewelry. It is also used for specialty coins.