This is my initial post, as I too just registered upon seeing this morning’s invitation to do so. I have enjoyed the many postings, opinions and comments and hope to occasionally have something to contribute. Chartsmaster                                                                               I first got interested in precious metals and in particular the miners in the late seventies. Homestake Mining and Campbell Red Lake come to mind.  I came across a vehicle back in early 2001 that I researched and began recommending at $4 per share. I have continued to this day to advise anyone seeking to protect their wealth from dollar debasement and loss of purchasing power to make this vehicle a large part of their portfolio.  Unlike paper derivative ETF’s or mining stocks, CEF provides direct exposure to physical gold and silver. The Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust (formerly Central Fund of Canada) holds 50% gold and 50% silver bullion. You get the benefit of gold’s usual upside leadership and eventually the added kicker of a late stage rocket booster when silver usually takes over and out performs as a precious metals bull market develops and progresses.  You won’t make the outsize gains of a mining company when a bull market is raging, but you avoid all the inherent risks that owning miners entails.  I love the benefits of owning a great major like NEM and the exciting potential of an explorer like MAG, but every investor can benefit by holding a core position in CEF to balance their portfolio.