Recently, I met with a client who had inherited a substantial amount of gold from his mother. He asked me a simple question:

“What is this worth?”

We scheduled a meeting at his bank and opened the safe deposit box together. Inside were dozens of different gold coins — different sizes, different denominations, different countries of origin, different designs.

It took me an hour and a half just to inventory everything before I could even begin gathering accurate pricing.

That is not how I recommend building a precious metals portfolio.

Complexity Does Not Equal Sophistication

On the surface, variety can feel impressive. A collection of unique coins from around the world may look diversified and interesting. But from a portfolio management perspective, excessive variety creates unnecessary complexity.

When you have 20 different line items — each with its own spread, liquidity profile, and market quote — it becomes difficult for the owner to quickly assess value.

It becomes even harder for a beneficiary.

Most heirs are not precious metals experts. When they open a safe deposit box and see an assortment of unfamiliar coins, their first reaction is uncertainty. Uncertainty often leads to hesitation, and hesitation can lead to poor decisions.

Uniformity removes that friction.

Clarity Equals Control

Now compare that scenario to a portfolio consisting of 200 one-ounce American Gold Eagles.

Anyone can check the spot price of gold. Anyone can calculate the approximate value within seconds. Anyone can call multiple dealers and compare bids.

The portfolio becomes:

  • Transparent
  • Liquid
  • Easy to verify
  • Easy to divide
  • Easy to transfer

Even if you mix in a few silver Eagles or platinum bars, you’re still dealing with only a handful of clearly defined line items.

That simplicity has real value.

Estate Planning Is Where Uniformity Matters Most

Many precious metals investors focus on accumulation. Far fewer think about liquidation and transfer.

When assets are uniform and widely recognized, beneficiaries are protected from:

  • Confusion
  • Mispricing
  • Opportunistic buyers
  • Excessive transaction friction

A clean portfolio is easier to value, easier to insure, easier to divide among heirs, and easier to convert back into liquidity when needed.

Simplicity Is Strength

At Cole Metals Group, we strongly believe that precious metals should function as a strategic hedge — not as a complicated collection.

Uniformity is not boring. Uniformity is disciplined. Uniformity protects both the investor and the next generation.

If your goal is long-term purchasing power preservation, clarity and liquidity matter just as much as the metal itself.