Coins and Paper Money -> Bullion -> Platinum and Palladium
Palladium coins are extremely rare and they are one of the most valuable types of money that you can collect. If you have never heard of palladium before, or if you are curious as to what these coins are, there are a few things you should know. First, palladium is a type of metal that was discovered in 1903. It is very light in color, almost a silver/white shade. The man who discovered it, William Hyde Wollaston, named it after the giant Pallas, who according to Greek mythology, was slain by the goddess Athena.
This form of metal is considered to be a subset of the platinum group, making it very rare. Palladium is often used for coinage and bullion due to the fact that it melts very easily and is much easier to work with than other members of the platinum group. Coins made of this metal will resist tarnishing well and make wonderful display pieces since they are not as affected by open air as other metals.
Many countries have minted palladium coins, and strangely enough, Tonga was one of the first to do so. In 1967 they produced a run of these coins and collectors that are seriously involved in precious metals will always try to find at least one of these coins. However, the most collectible palladium coins in the world are the ones that were produced by the Soviet Union. Other countries that produced palladium coins include Canada, France, and Slovakia.
In addition to Russian varieties, there is another extremely rare palladium coin that is difficult to find. The Royal Canadian Mint produced what they called the Big Bear and Little Bear Constellation coins, with a run of only 1200 coins total. This is considered to be one of the smallest runs in the history of recent coin making. There are a total of four different coins in this run, and each one corresponds to a specific season. Collectors that can get their hands on these are considered to be very lucky.
When you’re shopping for palladium coins, there are a few things to remember. First, the dealer should be reputable. If you are dealing with an unknown, there is always a chance for fraud. Always ask for certification, references and do your due diligence before spending money. If a palladium coin is priced well below the current market value for palladium, this is definitely cause for concern. Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
In addition to these steps, if you are dealing with a serious investment in a palladium coin, we highly recommend having a third party appraise the piece. This can help you determine the actual value of the coin and the appraiser will be well trained to spot any potential errors that may indicate that the coin is not legitimate. Don’t sink any money into palladium coins unless you are certain that they are authentic. Otherwise, you may find out too late that your investment is worthless.
Photo Credits: pandaamerica.com
Originally posted 2008-09-15 05:00:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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