Whether you're selling platinum coins, jewelry, or bars, it's critical to find a good buyer. There are a ton of businesses that trade in platinum, and they're definitely not all created equally.
Frequently the value of a platinum item is at least partially subjective, with things like rarity, craftsmanship, and other factors heavily influencing the value. It's important to go into any potential selling situation well informed to help you get the best price!
Whether you decide to go with a national service where your items are mailed in and appraised, or a dealer local to Tehachapi, research is key. Know who you're dealing with by checking with organizaions like the BBB, and know the value of your items by checking spot prices and getting competing offers.
Selling platinum can be intimidating at first for a new-comer, but it doesn't have to be! As with all things in life, preperation is the key to success.
If you're not buying an huge amount of platinum, you should aim to maintain direct control over it at your home or other property.
If you're investing heavily, to the point where you need a safe alternative location to store it, be sure to go somewhere like Switzerland with strong property rights. It's key to make sure they can't lend or hedge using your stash.
It's important to comply with the law when it comes to buying platinum, and knowing what they are goes a long way.
Under a certain dollar amount, there's no need to declare (which may be attractive to some), but once you hit a threshold you will need to (and should) declare your holdings.
Governments around the world have seized noble metals from time to time, so keeping your entire stash locally could be a bad idea depending on where you live.
Safe jurisdictions like Switzerland should be considered when you get to the point of holding a significant (tens of thousands of dollars worth generally) amount.
When investing in any asset, including platinum, it's important to keep the time horizon in mind. Prices fluctuate, and over a longer time horizon there's a better chance of your investment appreciating in value.
The last thing anyone would want is to invest money they'll need in the coming months, only to have the market move against them. Talk to your financial adviser, and carefully plan any future purchases.