Is Your Bullion the Real Thing? Now You Can See for Yourself with State-of-the-Art Authentication Technology...

By Rich Checkan

Scott Spitzer, CEO of Manfra, Tordella & Brookes (MTB), has over 15 years of experience in the commodities and financial services industry, and he recently sat down with ASI to discuss PAMP Suisse’s state-of-the-art anti-counterfeiting measures for precious metals products.

This breakthrough technology can be used by investors to identify registered bullion products. VERISCAN works by scanning a precious metals product much like you would a fingerprint. The technology maps the metal’s microscopic topography and leaves the product in its original, undamaged state. PAMP Suisse captures and stores surface data for all of its products immediately from the production line, which allows products to be later identified with the VERISCAN software app.

The VERISCAN app can be downloaded via the Apple App Store to be used on iPhone 6 models or later, or via a conventional document scanner. The technology is simple to use and can even be used to scan all six sides of large bars. Most importantly, VERISCAN allows you to scan metals with or without their plastic packaging intact, so you don’t have to worry about devaluing the product in the process of authenticating it. And unlike most other technologies on the market, VERISCAN may even be able to back-validate a product after production and being on the market!

In the interview below, Scott and I discuss how you can use VERISCAN for yourself, as well as some of Scott’s unique insights as CEO of one of the world’s largest authorized precious metals distributors.

Rich: How does VERISCAN indicate a counterfeited product? What should I do if I inadvertently purchased a counterfeited product?

Scott: VERISCAN scans the product and compares the results—the irregular “surface landscapes”—against the “surface profile” of the production line scan that is stored in the VERISCAN database. It then displays a “Pass” or “Fail” message indicating whether the scanned product is authentic. If the product you purchased turns out to be a counterfeit, you should go back to the company or person from which you purchased it. To reduce such risks, always deal with a highly reputable dealer like ASI*.

*If you have inadvertently purchased a counterfeited product, it should be immediately turned over to law enforcement. For a complete explanation on what to do if you purchased a counterfeit, we interviewed Beth Deisher, Director of Anti-Counterfeiting at the Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA), and she fully explains how to proceed.

Rich: Does VERISCAN verify products that aren’t issued by PAMP Suisse?

Scott: Yes, VERISCAN also authenticates precious metal products produced by the Royal Australian Mint, as well as the Bank of China-Hong Kong Branch ingot. VERISCAN has the potential to authenticate other sovereign and non-sovereign mint products.

Rich: Aside from the VERISCAN app, what other steps does PAMP Suisse take to protect its products from counterfeiting?

Scott: PAMP Suisse is the world’s leading bullion brand, and all of its refineries are approved by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), meeting the highest industry standards. All PAMP products are packaged in a serialized assay card to enhance authenticity and security.

Rich: MTB sources all its metals directly from major government and private mints. Can you comment on the relationship you have with these mints and how these products arrive essentially untouched to dealers like ASI?

Scott: MTB is a pre-eminent precious metals dealer. We are one of a very select group of dealers that are authorized purchasers from the major sovereign mints that produce bullion. These mints include the U.S. Mint, the Royal Canadian Mint, the Royal (British) Mint, the Austrian Mint, and the Royal Australian Mint. We buy directly from major mints and take delivery to our highly secure storage facilities in New York City. We then offer these products in untouched condition to dealers like ASI*.

We also buy products from PAMP Suisse, which arrive at MTB directly from the PAMP Suisse refinery in Switzerland. MTB, in turn sells these products to precious metals dealers.

Because of this sourcing, the precious metals products MTB sells are generally within what is known as the “circle of integrity.” This further ensures that the products are real and not counterfeited.

*In addition, ASI does not open your products when they arrive from MTB. This guarantees that everything you order arrives to you untouched and in its original packaging.

Rich: As CEO of one of the largest precious metals suppliers in America, what buying trends did you notice in 2017? What buying trends do you expect to see in 2018?

Scott: Investors of all sizes, from all ends of the market, were looking for bargains in 2017 to entice them to purchase physical metal. Because there was an increase in sell-backs this year on market rallies, buyers were able to get incredible deals by purchasing random date coins and secondary market bars at historically low premiums on market dips.

Although we do not expect the same pace of sell-backs in 2018, the initial demand for new 2018 mint fresh products is not very strong at a time where we usually see greater demand. This suggests that many buyers are starting the year on the sideline waiting to see if metals prices and premiums will return to the lower levels they saw throughout most of 2017.

Rich: 2017 was a slower market for precious metals than normal. Do you expect to see the market change in 2018?

Scott: I believe for the first time in a few years, the precious metals market now has a better tailwind. This should help support higher prices and increased trading activity, especially after the headwinds that drove the market lower and resulted in less trading activity. We still face challenges from investors gravitating to the stock market and cryptocurrency arena, but we are looking for investors to begin rebalancing their portfolios in 2018. This could result in liquidations in several asset classes, which would likely generate profits that I expect will find a new home in precious metals.

Don’t Buy Anything Less Than the Best

When it comes to investing in precious metals, it’s essential you purchase these products from an authorized dealer like ASI. We source all of our products from distributors like MTB who go the extra mile to ensure the authenticity of their products. The new VERISCAN technology is just one step of many that you can take to authenticate your metals, and it makes it easier than ever for everyday investors to use. To learn more about VERISCAN, you can download PAMP Suisse's FREE brochure here.

You can now purchase high-quality, authentic 1-ounce gold PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna VERISCAN bars for as low as Spot + $35 per ounce*. As mentioned before, these bars meet the highest industry standards and are registered on the VERISCAN database immediately following production. To reserve your PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna VERISCAN bars now, please call us at 800-831-0007 or email us.

*Prices subject to change based on market fluctuation and product availability. Prices reflected are for cash, check, or bank wire. Free shipping, handling, and insurance are available for PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna VERISCAN bar purchases of 10 ounces or more. Offer expires Friday, January 26, 2018, or while supplies last.