Saw an article on gold and in April 2011 it was at $1,923 per ounce and now it is struggling to stay above $1,200. Last year alone if fell 35%. I don't own gold in my portfolio and may never because it is nothing like looking in to a stock or mutual fund. How do you know when it will rise or fall? What factors contribute to either. Also, if you actually go and buy cold coins you better hope you don't get robbed or lose them. Also do you insure them if they are kept in your home? Do you want to pay for a bank box to keep them in? As a young man I panned for gold in California and it was a blast as my brother and I both found some but not enough to match the weight of a house fly. If you are thinking about buying in to gold do so with only money you can afford to lose.