THE GOLDSILVER JOURNAL
Ideas worth
their weight.
Market perspectives, practical knowledge, and stories
from the world of precious metals.
EDITOR’S PICK · Gold
Gold and Silver Price Today in USA: October 13, 2026
US gold and silver prices for October 13, 2026, with timestamped spot quotes, per-gram values, market context and a guide to bullion premiums.
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Gold Education · Central Banks
Why Do Central Banks Hold Gold If It Pays No Interest?
Central banks hold gold for diversification, resilience and freedom from issuer default risk—but volatility, zero yield, custody and liquidity costs still matter.
Gold Education · Gold History
Is the U.S. Dollar Backed by Gold? What Backed Means Today
The U.S. still owns gold, but dollars cannot be redeemed for bullion. Learn what gold backing meant, what changed in 1933 and 1971, and what backs the dollar now.
Gold Prices · Silver Prices · Market Analysis
Gold and Silver Prices Today, October 23, 2026 Midday: Gold Tests $4,000 as Silver Stabilizes
Gold hovered near $4,002 at midday while silver stabilized near $54.16. Compare Thursday’s matching quotes and see how both metals changed after Friday morning.
Gold Investing · Bullion Education
Gold Bars vs. Gold Coins: Which Should You Buy?
Gold bars often minimize premium per ounce, while bullion coins offer divisibility and recognition. Compare costs, resale, storage, authentication and taxes before buying.
Gold Prices · Silver Prices · Market Analysis
Gold and Silver Prices Today, October 23, 2026 Morning: Silver Slides Again as Gold Tests $4,000
Gold held near $4,024 while silver fell to about $53.71 early October 23. Compare both metals with Thursday, see the gold-silver ratio and understand the oil and rate pressures.
Gold Investing · Retirement
Can You Store Gold From an IRA at Home? IRS Custody Rules Explained
Can IRA-owned gold sit in your home safe? Learn the IRS custody rule, the IRA-owned LLC issue, taxable-distribution risks and a practical due-diligence checklist.
Gold Education · Gold Investing
Allocated vs. Unallocated Gold: What Do You Actually Own?
Allocated gold gives an owner title to identified metal, while an unallocated account is generally a claim against a provider. Learn the practical risks, costs, and questions to ask before buying.
Gold Prices · Silver Prices · Market News
Gold and Silver Prices Today, October 22, 2026 Midday: Silver Extends Its Slide
Gold and silver remained under pressure Thursday midday, with silver falling about twice as fast as gold versus Wednesday’s comparable quote. See the timestamped prices, calculations, and key market drivers.
Gold Education · Gold History
Who Owns the Gold at Fort Knox? Treasury vs. the Federal Reserve
The United States owns the gold at Fort Knox. Here is how Treasury ownership, U.S. Mint custody, Federal Reserve gold certificates, and annual controls fit together.
Gold & Silver Prices · Market Analysis
Gold and Silver Prices Today, October 22, 2026 Morning: Silver Falls Faster as Oil Lifts Rate Fears
Gold and silver fell early October 22, 2026, with silver down more sharply. Compare timestamped spot bids, prior references, per-gram prices, and the market drivers.
Gold Education · Gold History
Why Is Gold Measured in Troy Ounces? 31.1035 Grams Explained
Gold uses the 31.1035-gram troy ounce—not the everyday 28.3495-gram ounce. Learn the history, conversions, coin-weight differences, and mistakes to avoid.
Gold Investing · Education
Can You Redeem a Gold ETF for Physical Gold? What Retail Investors Actually Own
Most retail investors cannot exchange a few gold ETF shares for bars. Learn what physically backed shares represent, who can redeem large baskets, and what to check before buying.
Gold Prices · Silver Prices · Market Analysis
Gold and Silver Prices Today, October 21, 2026 Midday: Gold Firms While Silver Lags
Gold moved modestly above Tuesday’s late spot reference while silver remained lower despite rebounding from the morning. Compare timestamped October 21 midday quotes and drivers.
Gold Investing · Gold Coins · Investor Education
Can You Buy Gold Directly From the U.S. Mint? Bullion vs. Collectible Coins Explained
You cannot buy ordinary U.S. Mint bullion coins directly from the Mint. Learn how Authorized Purchasers work, what the Mint sells directly and how to compare dealer premiums.
Gold Prices · Silver Prices · Market Analysis
Gold and Silver Prices Today, October 21, 2026: Silver Slips in the U.S. Morning Session
Gold held nearly flat while silver fell about 1.06% versus Tuesday’s late spot reference. Compare October 21 morning bid/ask quotes, drivers and methodology.
Gold Education · Investing
How Does a Gold Investment Make Money If Gold Pays No Interest?
Gold bullion pays no interest or dividends. Learn how price appreciation can become—or fail to become—a real return after premiums, spreads, storage and taxes.
Gold and Silver Prices
Gold and Silver Price Today in USA: October 20, 2026 Midday Divergence
Silver strengthens while gold stays softer in October 20 midday snapshots. Compare timestamped spot bids, Monday observations and the site’s near-1-p.m. feed.
Gold Education
Why Is a $50 Gold Eagle Worth More Than $50? Face Value vs. Bullion Value
A $50 denomination is not a gold coin’s market price. Learn how face value, fine-gold content and dealer quotes differ, with a hypothetical worked example.
Gold · Silver · Market Updates
Gold and Silver Price Today in USA: October 20, 2026 Morning Comparison
Gold trades below Monday’s reported spot level while silver holds higher. Review Tuesday morning quotes, calculated changes and older site-feed timestamps.
Gold · Investing · Education
Is Selling Gold Always Taxed at 28%? US Collectibles Rules Explained
The 28% collectibles rate is a maximum, not an automatic flat tax on every gold sale. Learn the difference between proceeds, gain and a personalized tax bill.
Gold · Education · Gold Reserves
Why Do Countries Store Gold Abroad? Custody vs. Ownership Explained
A foreign vault can hold a country’s gold without owning it. Learn why official reserves are stored abroad and how custody statistics can mislead readers.
Gold · Silver · Market Updates
Gold and Silver Price Today in USA: October 19, 2026 Midday Reversal Check
Gold slips below Friday’s reference while silver holds a modest gain. Compare midday quotes with early Monday bids and inspect the site feed’s timestamps.
Gold · Education · Gold Properties
Why Does Pure Gold Resist Tarnish—and What Does That Mean for Buyers?
Learn why pure gold keeps its shine, why corrosion resistance is not scratch resistance, and what bullion and coin buyers should not infer from appearance.
Gold · Silver · Market Updates
Gold and Silver Price Today in USA: October 19, 2026 Morning Comparison
Early Monday gold and silver spot snapshots compared with Friday’s report, with timestamps, calculated changes and a clear warning about older site-feed values.
Gold · Investing · Education
Why Can a Physically Backed Gold Fund Lag the Gold Price?
Physical backing does not eliminate fees or trading costs. Learn why a gold fund can lag quoted gold returns, with clear hypothetical calculations.
Gold · Education · Gold Reserves
Why Are US Gold Reserves Valued at $42 an Ounce?
The US gold reserve’s $42.2222-per-ounce book value is not a market quote. Learn how statutory valuation, Treasury ownership and gold certificates differ.
Gold · Silver · Market Updates
Gold and Silver Price Today in USA: October 18, 2026 Midday Reopening Watch
Sunday’s gold and silver feed values remain weekend snapshots. Compare Friday with Thursday and learn what to check before evening trading resumes.
Gold · Silver · Market Updates
Gold and Silver Price Today in USA: October 18, 2026 Morning Weekend Check
Sunday's gold and silver quote check separates Saturday feed timestamps from Friday-versus-Thursday changes, with source comparisons and bullion buying context.
Gold · Investing · Education
How Much Must Gold Rise to Break Even? Bullion Premiums Explained
Learn how bullion premiums, resale spreads and holding costs affect gold returns, with a clear break-even formula and hypothetical dollar examples.
Gold · Silver · Market Updates
Gold and Silver Price Today in USA: October 17, 2026 Midday Quote Check
Midday weekend review: unchanged Saturday feed readings, Friday-versus-Thursday performance, bid/ask cross-checks and an equal-dollar gold-versus-silver comparison.
Gold · History · Education
Why Did the US Leave the Gold Standard? 1933 and 1971 Explained
Why do some histories say the US left gold in 1933 and others say 1971? Learn the difference between domestic redemption, Bretton Woods and the gold window.
Gold · Silver · Market Updates
Gold and Silver Price Today in USA: October 17, 2026 Morning Weekend Comparison
Saturday morning review of Friday’s latest gold and silver observations, matched against Thursday: gold down 0.13%, silver down 0.76%, with timestamps and bullion-cost context.
Gold · Investing · Education
Why Central Banks Hold Gold—and What Investors Can Learn
Explore gold’s monetary history, why central banks hold reserves and how premiums, custody and resale costs affect an individual investor’s potential return.
Gold · Silver · Market Updates
Gold and Silver Price Today in USA: October 14, 2026 Comparison
Compare October 14 US gold and silver spot prices with yesterday’s snapshots, including per-gram values, the gold-silver ratio and bullion buying costs.