Beginning investors will find thorough guidelines for making good decisions in this study of private gold ownership. Emphasis is placed on the asset-preservation qualities of gold at a time when investor uncertainty about the economy and recent investment scandals have led many to seek asset diversification. The economic and political trends driving gold marketing are detailed, as are the reasons why gold plays an important role in millions of investment portfolios worldwideas both a hedge and an investment for capital gain. With revised content as well as two additional chapters, this updated version examines topics such as gold's role in combating inflation and deflation, how to select a gold firm, the history of gold since 1971, storing gold, and government debt.