Answers to Your "How To" Questions on Rare Coins, Rare Stamps and the Precious Metals IRA

By Carl Weber III

Another great array of questions has come in to ASI. I invite you to send me your thoughts, not just questions, about Precious Metals and Rare Tangible Assets. I want to keep up a dialogue with you by phone at 877-340-0790 or send me an email. Your input is as valuable to ASI, as I hope our answers to your questions, are to you.

I am interested in your Rare Coin Program, but I am puzzled as to why you have no coins in inventory. Can you explain? Charles N., Henderson, Nevada

Our Rare Coin Program (RCP) is completely tailor-made for each client. We keep no inventory. Once you have placed your funds in escrow with us, we begin to look for the best coins, at the best price, for you.

Your ASI Preferred Client Relations representative begins by discussing your goals during your first call. We are interested in learning if your purchase is for your portfolio, a legacy or gift. We take into account how much you plan to commit to your RCP, because we will target specific coins for you, based on your goals and portfolio size.

Here's the top reason we do not carry inventory...

We work directly with Douglas Winter, the world's leading expert on pre-1933 U.S. rare gold coins. Your portfolio will be handpicked by Doug, who, among many other outstanding credentials, is the author of thirteen definitive volumes on rare coins.

Since Doug has access to the best coins worldwide, and we keep no inventory, we have no incentive to suggest a coin that is not perfect for you. I see this as the biggest advantage the ASI Rare Coin Portfolio has over any other program on the market. It all starts with one phone call to 877-340-0790 and a conversation that focuses on your needs and goals.

I have purchased rare coins in the past and would like to upgrade my portfolio. I need to free up cash by selling first. Do you buy rare coins? Helen K., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Certainly. We have created a buyback program in response to many inquiries from people who purchased rare coins and now want to liquidate or improve their portfolio. Some were unhappy with the performance of what they purchased and were about to give up on the asset class.

If that is your situation, please allow us to help.

Rare coins have a track record of 11% average annual growth over a 40-year period and 225% growth in the last ten years. While past performance is no guarantee of future performance... it is one of the best indicators we have. And, if your results do not mirror these returns, the problem may be the specific coins as opposed to the strategy.

We've created a short video to explain how our buyback program works. View it at the end of my article and then call us at 877-340-0790 or e-mail us and get the ball rolling for your free rare coin portfolio evaluation.

I was interested to learn that ASI is the North American Representative for Stanley Gibbons Ltd., the world's largest rare stamp dealer. When I purchase through ASI, who will store my stamps? Ronald D., Columbus, Ohio

Following your purchase, your stamps will be stored in the Stanley Gibbons Ltd. Vaults in either the Channel Islands or Hong Kong. The majority of our clients choose the Channel Islands as the venue for their stamps, but both locations provide safe, secure offshore storage.

Moreover, with the ASI Rare Stamp Program, you enjoy free storage regardless of how long you plan to hold your rare stamps.

Proper storage is critical to holding value, as stamp collectors are very fussy about color and even the glue on the back of the stamp.

I was told the story of a beautiful red stamp for which a collector paid £5,000 GBP and then took the stamp to India for two years. The red color had faded to orange, making his stamp worth only £1,000 GBP.

Stanley Gibbons stores your stamps to protect them from damaging light and humidity, as well as wear and tear. Your stamps are also 100% insured on top of this amazing protection.

That is why we are proud of our comprehensive service:

• Hand selected stamps by Stanley Gibbons Ltd.
• Free storage abroad
• A structured buyback program
• Free access to the world's greatest experts in rare stamps. Stanley Gibbons, established in 1856, is the only stamp dealer to be awarded the Royal Warrant to the British monarchy. It was granted in 1914 and still held today.

Please call us at 877-340-0790 to discuss rare stamps for asset protection across assets, across countries, and across currencies.

I'm confused as to whether precious metals qualify for a retirement account. Can you clarify? Shannon P., Larchmount, New York

The confusion as to whether precious metals can be held in an IRA stops here!

An IRA can hold gold, silver, platinum and palladium in all forms including bullion coins, bars and rounds, so long as the metal meets minimum fineness requirements set by the IRS.

This means the Perth Mint Certificate, Valcambi 50 gram CombiBar and the PAMP MultiGram+25 are just a few of myriad products eligible to be held in your IRA.

For online access to owning precious metals in your IRA, check out ASI Precious Metals Direct.

You can set up a relationship online in ten minutes and simultaneously begin the paperwork to open an online IRA. You can arrange to store your metals in a domestic secure facility in New York City or Salt Lake City.

We have many other precious metals IRA approaches in addition to ASI Precious Metals Direct. If that is your preference we will guide you through the simple process of opening an offline self-directed IRA, choosing your precious metals, and selecting your storage facility.

Give us call at 877-340-0790 or send me an email for any of your precious metals IRA related needs. Tax preparation time is an excellent time to consider your IRA options!