Blog

The $20 Double Eagle traces its roots directly to the California Gold Rush. Prior to 1849, America’s largest gold coin was the $10 Eagle. However, due to the influx of Western gold, the U.S. Mint introduced the hefty Double Eagle.

Editor's Note: This article is from our friend Byron King at Paradigm Press. Byron will be joining us live next Wednesday July 29th for our next session of the On the Move Webinar series. He brings deep expertise and connections in energy, precious metals, other critical minerals and defense. Reserve your spot now to hear a perspective that is both credible and immediately relevant to today’s market conditions. 

Gold has already delivered one of the most volatile starts to a year on record, surging above $5,500 an ounce in January before falling below $4,000 in late June. Even after that sharp reversal, gold is still among the top-performing assets over the past year.

Yes, even despite the pullback.

On a technical basis, gold is still trending well above its two-year average. Gold is still showing significant gains year-over-year, down just 7% in the first half of 2026 after rallying 64% last year. Last July, gold spot prices were in the $3,320-$3,360 range, compared to roughly $4,000 today.

And there's a strong possibility gold recovers the 7% loss and even gains momentum this year.

Some investors use technical indicators like moving averages to measure relative strength and positioning. As a matter of fact, recent data indicates that gold may be approaching its next technical support level (see chart above).

Since 1971, there have been only eight instances in which gold has dropped by more than 20% after reaching a record high, typically averaging a 29-36% loss. At present, the gold price is about 25% below its record high. In these instances, organic demand from investors or central banks has historically boosted gold after these more sizable pullbacks. Meaning that if gold goes below a certain technical support level (+-10%), it will likely trigger bargain hunting demand and drive prices right back up. 

If this isn't the bottom of this downward trend, then it's very close to it.

And the market is set up for a possible breakout. However, gold remains highly reactive to risk, uncertainty, and changes in rate expectations.

For long-term investors, this creates an important decision point. If gold stays rangebound for a while longer, pullbacks may offer a chance to average in at a good value. 

Last week, gold settled Thursday at its lowest level in 9 months when oil prices rose. The worsening conflict between the U.S. and Iran continues to stoke fears of prolonged inflation and future interest rate hikes. Investors surveyed were split on betting on a rate hike in September as the Fed signaled growing support for a rate hike before year's end to rein in inflation toward the central bank’s 2% target.

However, the second half of 2026 could still bring renewed upside, especially if economic growth weakens, geopolitical pressures intensify, or investors step back in on price dips. Gold may be stuck rangebound for now, but today's volatility in precious metals may yet yield rewards for proactive investors willing to look past current negative market sentiment.

Does that sound like you? If so, check out our current gold bullion offer below and call your ASI Preferred Client Representative today.

1 oz. Gold Canadian Maple Leaf Coins
Just $129 over spot! 

Whether your focus is inflation protection, portfolio diversification, or long-term financial resilience, we can provide actionable insights to help you move forward with confidence. Call 1-800-831-0007 or email infoasi@assetstrategies.com to add 1 oz. Gold Maples to your portfolio today.

Should you rebalance into precious metals?

The first half of 2026 reminded investors that precious metals can move sharply in a bull market... to the upside... or the downside.

Gold surged to record highs early in the year before pulling back, while silver experienced even more extreme volatility. 

Precious metals reacted strongly as markets were forced to absorb geopolitical tension, inflation concerns, and changing rate expectations.

At the mid-year mark, market conditions remain unsettled.

Gold decreased 7% in the first half of 2026 after rallying 64% last year. 

And silver is down roughly 15% YTD after rising 141% in 2025.

But is this the beginning of a bear market or merely an extended consolidation period in a longer bull market?

Retail buying trends reflect one thing, while central bank gold buying and market fundamentals represent another...

Since the U.S.-Israeli action against Iran began in late February, elevated tension has caused spot prices to drop while hints of potential resolution have triggered rallies.

Both gold and silver fell last Friday as the U.S. and Iran exchanged airstrikes, boosting expectations of a prolonged Middle East conflict. Ongoing conflict in the region has supported energy-price concerns and renewed attention on inflation risk, while shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy have changed the near-term outlook for metals.

At the same time, the broader mid-year outlook suggests that even after a sharp correction, the metal remains tied to an environment of moderate growth, elevated inflation, and persistent geopolitical uncertainty.

For investors focused on portfolio protection, the bigger takeaway may be less about short-term price swings and more about what continues to drive evergreen interest in physical metals: diversification, liquidity, and the ability to hold a tangible asset outside of purely paper-based exposure. In that environment, silver remains especially compelling for buyers who want practical exposure to precious metals at a lower entry point than gold.

What's next for metals in 2026?

In a recent interview with Investing News, ASI President Rich Checkan acknowledged that gold and silver could still go lower, but he encouraged investors to act sooner than later, "Take a little of your cash, deploy it now — lock in that opportunity to buy well. And then if it goes lower, if you get your wish, buy some more and average down." 

At ASI, we believe maintaining focus on long-term fundamentals can help investors cut through short-term noise. The start of the third quarter is a perfect time to assess finances and rebalance your portfolio to take advantage of a shifting market. 

Physical gold and silver have long played an important role in portfolio protection, inflation hedging, and wealth preservation. For investors who want to act during a market pullback, this week's offer is designed to make that decision easier.

This week, 100 oz. silver bars are available for delivery at just $1.49 over spot per ounce.

Whether you are building a new position or adding to an existing allocation, 100 oz. silver bars can offer a convenient balance of affordability and tangible ownership.. And there's no better way to Keep What's Yours.

100 oz. Silver Bars
Just $1.49 over spot per oz.

Ready to take advantage of silver’s pullback? Call 1-800-831-0007 or email infoasi@assetstrategies.com to secure your 100 oz. Silver Bars at just $1.49 over spot today!

Is gold's losing streak over?

Gold regained momentum at the end of last week, with spot prices posting a weekly gain of more than 2% on Friday and snapping a four-week losing streak. The move followed weaker-than-expected U.S. job growth data, which reduced expectations for additional rate hikes and helped restore interest in physical gold as a portfolio diversifier.

Investors are now betting on a 56% chance of a rate increase in September, down from more than 60% before the report was released, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

When economic data points to slowing growth and a less aggressive rate path, gold often returns to the conversation as a hedge against inflation, currency uncertainty, and broader market volatility. 

Gold's 3-4% YTD dip follows an aggressive early-year rally.

Think of this pullback as a "coiling of the spring" for gold. As it trades sideways after a major rally, the market can shake out weak speculators, achieve price equilibrium, and rebuild a solid technical base. This pause creates structural strength, allowing gold to gather energy for its next breakout. This process passes gold into the hands of long-term structural investors (such as institutional buyers and central banks), making future upward movements far more stable and robust.

Long consolidation periods like this are not only common, but necessary over the course of a long term gold bull market. In this environment, pullbacks are a chance to average in at a better entry point before the spring releases and spot prices into the next major bullish phase.

This is one reason many investors continue to view physical gold as a practical tool for financial resilience. Gold has historically served as a store of value during periods of uncertainty, and renewed strength should suggest that underlying fundamentals remain intact.

At ASI, we encourage investors to stay focused on long-term fundamentals rather than short-term market noise. A disciplined approach to buying physical gold during periods of weakness can help align metal mix decisions with broader financial goals while preserving flexibility for the future.

That's why we're offering 1 oz. gold bars at just $119 over spot this week. These bars are "dealer's choice", and all are LBMA-approved, which means not only are they a great addition to your portfolio, but they can also easily be added to an IRA! Don't miss out! Call 1-800-831-0007 today to place your order .

1 oz. Gold LBMA-Approved Bars
Just $119 over spot!

Call 1-800-831-0007 or email infoasi@assetstrategies.com to add gold bars to your portfolio today.

Demand for precious metals has been surging over the past few years. Now, metals are undergoing a massive correction, providing an ideal window of opportunity to add metals to your portfolio. But no correction is forever and metals will be setting new all-time highs again over the next few years.

As you consider how best to add precious metals to your portfolio, don't forget your IRA. Your retirement may very well depend on it. 

Common wisdom states that 5-10% of your portfolio should be made up of precious metals holdings, but many investors are unaware that precious metals can also be a part of your retirement planning in another way. Many types of precious metals can be held as part of a Self-Directed Individual Retirement Account (IRA) as a way to get more out of your metals. The number one killer of retirement savings is inflation, and storing precious metals as part of your IRA is a great way to counteract it. 

Profit-taking put pressure on silver prices in June amid rising expectations of a Fed rate hike.

While a rate hike cycle may likely continue to suppress gold and silver spot prices in the short term, precious metals have historically staged strong recoveries following a cycle . As the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets decreases and economic growth slows, capital typically rotates back into precious metals. A widening gold-silver ratio will suggest silver is discounted relative to gold during peak tightening, signaling a potential upside once eventual easing begins.

Silver’s 23% decline in June may have rattled short-term traders, but for disciplined, long-term investors, this dip can create opportunity. Periods of price weakness often give buyers the chance to average in at more favorable levels rather than chase momentum after a sharp move higher.

For investors focused on portfolio diversification, silver continues to stand out as a hard-asset diversifier with both monetary and industrial relevance in 2026 . Volatility can be uncomfortable, but it can also provide good value for those who remain focused on long-term financial goals instead of short-term market swings.

The key is strategy. Rather than trying to predict the exact bottom, many long-term investors choose to build positions gradually and align their metal mix with their broader objectives. A steep single-month drop is an ideal time to act, even as gold and silver remain relatively rangebound in this ongoing pullback.

That is especially true during seasonal moments when investors are already thinking about independence, resilience, and keeping what they have worked hard to build. A measured allocation to physical silver can help support a more diverse portfolio while offering tangible exposure outside of purely paper holdings. And there's no better way to Keep What's Yours.

1 oz. Silver American Flag Bar
Just $1.49 over spot

If you have been waiting for an opportunity to buy silver on a dip, this holiday week may be an ideal time to act.

This limited-time offer gives investors a chance to add physical silver at an attractive premium while marking Independence Day with a distinctly American design. For buyers looking for good value, it is a timely way to start a position, add to an existing allocation, or average in during a pullback.

Ready to take advantage of silver’s pullback? Call 1-800-831-0007 or email infoasi@assetstrategies.com to secure your 1 oz. Silver American Flag Bar at just $1.49 over spot while supplies last.

Please note that ASI Offices will be closed for business on Friday July 3rd in observance of the holiday, so all orders must be placed by 5 pm EST on Thursday July 2nd. Happy 4th of July!

If your retirement portfolio looks diversified on paper but is still heavily tied to a financial system made of only traditional assets , it may not be as resilient as you think.

Many investors hold a mix of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs and assume that variety alone reduces risk. But when most of those holdings neglect to include hard assets, your portfolio may remain highly exposed to market volatility, inflation pressure, currency risk, and broader systemic instability.