Articles by Ben Harmon on ArticleSnatch.com

Mini Krugerrands

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Before establishing a correct definition of the South African mini krugerrand, it is helpful to understand the history behind this coin and why it has become so amazingly popular among collectors. But first, before you invest in a full one-ounce krugerrand or a mini krugerrand, beware of hoaxes! It is untrue that the Shroud of Turin believed by some to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ, contains images of coins over the bodyâ€™s eyes that appear amazingly similar to mini krugerrands! Also, there is no such thing as a silver krugerrand; check your facts with a reputable coin dealer before investing in any type of coin collecting. Briefly, the South African krugerrand was the first one troy ounce gold coin that could be used as legal tender at the market value of its face gold content. By law, krugerrands must be sold at premiums of no more than one percent above the market price of gold at the time of sale. Krugerrands were originally minted to encourage South Africans to own gold privately; several countries followed suit with the U.S. Golden Eagle and the Canadian Maple Leaf one-ounce coins. **End Summary** Topics: krugerrand]]> krugerrands]]> gold krugerrand]]> krugerrand value]]> krugerrand coin]]> krugerrand price]]> 1 oz krugerrand]]> african krugerrand]]> gold krugerrands]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Ben Harmon has been collecting Krugerrands since his grandfather first gave him one when he was eight years old. You can read more about this fascinating coin at Gold Krugerrand Ferret , and you can even pick one up at the krugerrand auction .

Gold Krugerrands as an Investment

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400

In 1967, the government of South Africa minted the gold krugerrand to increase the marketing of South African gold. Although the krugerrand is considered as legal currency in South Africa, it is rarely used for that purpose. Instead, it has become a favorite of coin collectors all over the world, known as “medal coins.” This was the first coin to be valued at the monetary value of gold, or the current rate of gold prices. For example, a U.S. silver dollar is worth exactly one dollar unless it is unusual in some way that makes it more valuable to collectors. The krugerrand was originally a one-ounce piece of 22 carat gold with no monetary value imprinted on it; its value is based upon the market gold price that frequently fluctuates. Today krugerrands are made in a variety of weights, including half-ounce, quarter-ounce and one-tenth ounce. Coin dealers and collectors often obtain krugerrands through estate sales. The price that the dealer or collector will pay depends upon the current gold market price on that particular day. For example, imagine that a family man invests in buying 100 krugerrands when the gold prices are $300 per ounce. **End Summary** Topics: krugerrand]]> krugerrands]]> gold krugerrand]]> krugerrand value]]> krugerrand coin]]> krugerrand price]]> 1 oz krugerrand]]> african krugerrand]]> gold krugerrands]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Ben Harmon has been collecting Krugerrands since his grandfather first gave him one when he was eight years old. You can read more about this fascinating coin at Gold Krugerrand Ferret , and you can even pick one up at the krugerrand auction .

Goggles Provide a Variety of Eye Protection

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

With today’s medical science and technology, physicians and scientists can do remarkable things that were unknown only a decade ago; organ transplants, cloning, microsurgery, etc. But still, we have only one pair of eyes. Many of us enjoy activities or occupations that can cause serious injury and even blindness if we treat our eyes carelessly. This is where a good set of goggles can save our eyes! For example, when you enroll in a welding school, the first thing you’ll learn is that safety goggles are essential to protect your eyes from sparks and gasses. Military and law enforcement personnel learn the importance of night vision goggles to conduct reconnaissance missions. In fact, sunglasses-type goggles are currently in use by the US armed forces in Iraq to protect their eyes from both blowing sand and the glare of desert sands. Sports enthusiasts of all kinds know the importance of a well-made set of goggles from manufacturers like Smith, Scott and Oakley. If you ride motorcycles, for example, goggles protect your eyes from debris and insects that, at high speeds, become projectiles that can cause permanent eye damage. **End Summary** Topics: goggles]]> goggle]]> safety glasses]]> night vision goggles]]> paintball goggles]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ben Harmon knows the importance of quality eye protection, over the years he has kept his eyes safe from rocks on a motorcycle, iron filings off a grinder, and more than one errant racquetball. He runs Goggle Ferret , where you can find high quality, inexpensive goggles at the goggle auction .

The African Gold Krugerrand

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

In 1967, the government of South Africa minted the gold krugerrand to increase the marketing of South African gold. Although the krugerrand is considered as legal currency, it is seldom used for that purpose. Instead, it has become a favorite of coin collectors all over the world, known as “medal coins.” This was the first coin to be valued at the monetary value of gold. For example, a U.S. silver dollar is worth exactly one dollar unless it is unusual in some way that makes it more valuable to collectors. The krugerrand was originally a one-ounce piece of 22 carat gold with no monetary value imprinted on it; its value is based upon the market value of gold that frequently fluctuates. Today krugerrands are made in a variety of weights, including half-ounce, quarter-ounce and one-tenth ounce. Since the krugerrand is considered to be a form of gold bullion, it was once illegal for American citizens to own them privately. But when the South African government declared them as legal tender, that prohibition ceased. **End Summary** Topics: krugerrand]]> krugerrands]]> gold krugerrand]]> krugerrand value]]> krugerrand coin]]> krugerrand price]]> 1 oz krugerrand]]> african krugerrand]]> gold krugerrands]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Ben Harmon has been collecting Krugerrands since his grandfather first gave him one when he was eight years old. You can read more about this fascinating coin at Gold Krugerrand Ferret , and you can even pick one up at the krugerrand auction .