Old School Gold Investor - Inflation Protection & Gold Coins

Donald Nelson

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Old School Gold Investor - Inflation Protection & Gold Coins

donald_nelson💎Premium (500k-1m)

about 2 months ago

Key Takeaways

•Been seeing a lot of new folks asking about gold for inflation lately, and as someone who’s been around this block a few times, thought I’d chime in.
•My daddy always said, when the paper money gets shaky, you want something real in your hand.
•And that’s what I’ve always done.

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Been seeing a lot of new folks asking about gold for inflation lately, and as someone who’s been around this block a few times, thought I’d chime in. I retired from Ford a few years back, got about a 500k-1M portfolio, and honestly, the bulk of my inflation protection for the last two decades has been physical gold. My daddy always said, when the paper money gets shaky, you want something real in your hand. And that’s what I’ve always done.

Specifically, I've always leaned heavily into gold coins. Pre-1933 American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, even some South African Krugerrands. I know some people like bars, but for me, coins just feel more liquid and recognizable. Plus, there’s a certain aesthetic appeal to holding something that’s been minted. When you’ve seen a Detroit winter or two, you learn to appreciate tangible assets. I started seriously buying in the early 2000s, and while there have been ups and downs, it's consistently served its purpose of protecting my purchasing power, especially now with grocery prices making my head spin.

My big question to everyone here is, with all the talk about CBDCs and other digital nonsense, how are you valuing the physical aspect of gold as inflation protection these days? Is the "barter" argument still as strong in your minds, or are people mostly focused on its store-of-value function against the dollar’s depreciation? I've got a decent chunk safely tucked away, but I'm always looking to refine my strategy and hear what others are doing. Is anyone diversifying into other physical assets alongside gold for inflation, or just sticking with the yellow metal?

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5 comments

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Best Answer▲ 19 upvotes

elizabeth_johnson💰Established (100-250k)

Regarding old school gold investors and inflation protection, I've got to say that while the principles are sound, the application has evolved. I personally still hold a good chunk of my gold in physical coins (American Eagles, mostly, bought directly from a dealer here in Atlanta), but for the portion in my IRA, the convenience and liquidity of segregated storage through my custodian just can't be beaten. It's a different beast entirely from trying to move a ton of St. Gaudens double eagles if you need cash fast.

Comments (5)

thomas_walker🏆Advanced (250-500k)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 2 months ago

Hey, totally feel this. My grandfather was the same way, always talking about his gold coins and how they'd be our safeguard. He started collecting after the '70s inflation scares, and it really stuck with him. Now, seeing how things are going, I'm kinda wishing I'd listened to his advice a bit more seriously back then!

nancy_hall💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor•about 2 months ago

Hey, cool to hear your perspective! When you say you've got a "500k-1M portfolio," are you talking about your entire retirement portfolio, or just the portion you've allocated to gold? Just trying to get a clearer picture of your overall strategy.

helen_turner💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor•about 2 months ago

Hey, I hear you on the inflation protection angle, it's definitely a classic reason to hold gold. And sticking with what you know, like gold coins, makes perfect sense for many. But I've been seeing a lot more talk lately about the potential of gold mining stocks as a way to get exposure to gold's upside while also benefiting from operational leverage. It's a different beast than physical, for sure, but some of those companies are performing really well and can offer a bit more growth potential if the conditions are right. Just food for thought if you're ever looking to diversify your gold holdings a bit beyond the physical.

daniel_wright💎Premium (500k-1m)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 2 months ago

Awesome to hear from someone with real-world experience, especially concerning inflation! For anyone looking to go the physical gold route like OP mentioned with coins, it's super important to remember to factor in storage costs and insurance. That's money that's not actively growing for you, so make sure to compare it to other options when doing your calculations. Finding a good, secure vault or safe deposit box is key, and don't forget to shop around for insurance quotes too. Every penny counts when you're protecting your wealth!

elizabeth_johnson💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor✓ Verified•about 2 months ago

Regarding old school gold investors and inflation protection, I've got to say that while the principles are sound, the *application* has evolved. I personally still hold a good chunk of my gold in physical coins (American Eagles, mostly, bought directly from a dealer here in Atlanta), but for the portion in my IRA, the convenience and liquidity of segregated storage through my custodian just can't be beaten. It's a different beast entirely from trying to move a ton of St. Gaudens double eagles if you need cash fast.

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