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Education
Recent Articles
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How Precious Metals Are Refined, Assayed & Certified: A Collector’s Guide
A detailed collector-focused guide explaining how precious metals are refined, assayed, and certified, and why these steps matter for authenticity and purity.
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Understanding Coin vs. Bar vs. Round Collector’s Guide | Coins Online
A collector-focused comparison of coins, bars, and rounds. Learn how each format differs in purity, design, authentication, and long-term collectability.
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Metals, Fineness & Purity Explained for Collectors | Coins Online
A clear, collector-focused guide to how purity and fineness are measured in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
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Monthly Coin Stacking Guide: Why It Matters in 2025
Monthly coin stacking gives collectors a calm, consistent way to build meaningful collections in a year where markets and trends shift constantly.
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Face Value vs. Metal Value | Understanding the Real Worth of Coins | Coins Online
Learn the difference between a coin’s face value and its true metal value and why collectors prize the latter. Clear guidance from Coins Online.
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History of the American Gold Eagle Designs
Explore the history of the American Gold Eagle designs from the Saint Gaudens obverse to the 2021 reverse redesign.
Education at Coins Online is a practical library for collectors who want clear answers before they buy or sell. Each article explains one topic in plain language and gives you steps you can use right away. No jargon. No pressure. Just useful knowledge for confident collecting.
Start here
New to coins or bullion? Read the Beginner’s Guide to Precious Metals for formats, purity, and recognition. Then explore the articles below by subject, or browse the full hub at your own pace.
Popular topics
- Gold Premiums Explained — the difference between spot and final price and why premiums move
- What Is an Assay Certificate and Why It Matters — how to read cards and match serial numbers
- Spot Fake Gold — practical checks you can do at home with common tools
- IRA Approved Gold — what typically qualifies for custodial programs
- Platinum and Palladium — how industrial demand shapes these markets for collectors
- Palladium Bullion Coins — formats, recognition, and specs
- Rare and Collectible Coins — design, history, and factors that influence desirability
- The Penny’s Exit — what changing circulation means for collecting
- Post-Penny Coin Collecting — ideas for engaging new collectors
- Sharing Wealth Through Coins — simple ways to organize for family transfer
Learning paths
Choose a path that fits your next step and work through the linked articles in order.
Build a bullion foundation
- Read Beginner’s Guide to Precious Metals
- Study Gold Premiums Explained
- Compare categories: Gold bullion, Silver bullion, Platinum bullion
- Review authenticity basics: Assay certificates and spotting fake gold
Organize for the long term
- Download checklists and templates in Downloadables
- Create a simple inventory with item, weight, mint, and serial when present
- Read Sharing Wealth Through Coins for family planning tips
- See how we work behind the scenes in Discover Our Process
Quick answers
How do I compare coins and bars? Look for clear metal content, recognized mint, and straightforward documentation. Compare premiums across similar formats in our Gold and Silver categories.
What confirms authenticity? Weight and dimensions should match specifications. Assay cards and serial numbers, when present, add simple documentation. Learn more in our assay guide.
Why do premiums change? Premiums reflect minting, distribution, and demand. Our explainer breaks it down so you can compare with confidence.
Freedom and Authenticity Guarantees
We teach before we sell, and we do not use pressure tactics. Every item we list is confirmed for weight, purity, and identity, and ships discreetly with insured delivery. For a look at our values in practice, visit Our Difference.