Consumers should be aware that precious metal investments can be risky because of the absence of consumer protection standards. Coin investments carry no guarantee of a profit, do not pay interest or dividends, generally must be held onto for several years, and do not appreciate rapidly. Liquidity may also be an issue to consider. If necessary to liquidate your investment, how easy would it be to find a buyer? Before making a buying decision, be cautious of unsolicited phone calls using high pressure tactics. Dishonest promoters count on victims being gullible to puffery, or false claims. Some commonly used tactics are false grading claims, false certifications, false value, or value appreciation claims. Some dealers actually sell imitations that are not coins at all. Have an independent source verify grading and pricing. Remember, grading is the opinion of the appraiser and involves some degree of subjectivity. Age and rarity may be decisive factors in determining values, but the ultimate value is determined by the price a collector is willing to pay. Do comparative shopping and research. If purchasing from a dealer or broker, find out if your contract has buy-back provisions in the event you need to liquidate. Ask about refund and exchange policies. Verify the authenticity of your delivered coins and get any representations or promises concerning projected resale values in writing.