Thinking you would like to try purchasing rare coins? Does gold seem like a good investment to you?

Buying rare coins or putting your money into gold coins can pay off sometimes, but it can also be a risky business. You can help protect yourself by taking some precautions. Here’s some advice, based on recommendations from the Federal Trade Commission.

We know: 7 Rules for Buying Rare Coins

Rule 1: LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

If you want to make money from buying rare coins or bullion coins, it pays to study, and know something about the business. Take your time. Learn to understand important elements of the industry such as rarity, grading, marketing availability and price trends.

Rule 2: USE COMMON SENSE

If you receive solicitations in the mail or over the phone that seem too good to be true, they probably are. Don’t rush into anything.

Rule 3: CHECK OUT THE SELLER

This is not an easy task. Many fraudulent sales organizations look very much like the real thing and it’s hard to tell the difference merely by talking with them over the phone. Even visiting the office can be deceiving because dishonest folks often rent expensive office space. Find out if the dealer is a member of any profession organizations, and then call to see if it’s true.

Rule 4: DON’T COUNT ON PROMISES

Many dealers promise to buy back your coins at or for more than the price you paid, or tell you that grading is guaranteed. Many coin dealers do not have the financial resources to make these claims.

Rule 5: COMPARISON SHOP

Talk to several dealers before you buy, finding out about both the grades of the coins and the prices. Check prices in leading coin publications.

Rule 6: TAKE POSSESSION OF THE COINS

Take possession of any coins you buy. That way you can ensure they exist, double check their value and grade, and make sure they’re properly stored.

Rule 7: GET A SECOND OPTION ON COIN VALUE

Check out the companies return policy and make sure you have an opportunity to return the coins within a specified amount of time. Also, be sure if you return the coins, you get all your money back. Then, as soon as you receive your coins, get a second opinion from another source about the grade and value of the coins.

NEED HELP? If you get into a suspicious situation, check with the American Numismatic Association, the Professional Numismatists Guild or the Federal Trade Commission.