Bullion DOESN'T HAVE TO BE Boring!

What images come to mind when you think of bullion products — stacks or boxes full of gold American Eagles, silver American Eagles, Maple Leafs and bars? There are hundreds of bullion products available in all different sizes to fit everyone's budget.

- MIKE GAROFALO

Do you think it is boring to collect these coins, like Krugerrands, that have been around since 1967, without much or any significant design change or new features? Well, it doesn't have to be! In today's market, you can buy hundreds of different bullion-based products that have cool and interesting designs and features. Today's selection of bullion products is limited only by someone's imagination. There are even bullion rounds that can entertain you.

BULLION AUTHENTICITY 

If bullion authenticity is a concern, there are silver bars struck by a company called MintID, which are embedded with an encrypted, tamper-proof microchip. This allows consumers to scan a QR code with their cell phone and authenticate their bar. How clever! But every feature comes at a price and these bars are generally 10% more expensive than other similar bullion products.

Another company that offers bars with anti-counterfeiting measures is the well-respected German manufacturer, Geiger Metals. Bars by Geiger Metals not only include a unique serial number but also have a blacklight logo on the reverse of the bar. Once you shine a blacklight on the bar, the logo is illuminated. Again, expect to pay about 10% more for these bars.

THE COOL FACTOR 

If you want bullion products that look cool, you might like bullion that was struck to honor rock 'n' roll music. New Beatles silver bars are shaped like the famous Yellow Submarine, of song and movie fame. Rock 'n' roll is a popular topic and there are silver rounds honoring John Lennon, the WHO, the Rolling Stones, AC/DC and many other bands.