From 1973 to 1980, one hedge fund achieved an extraordinary return of roughly 4,200% — an average of more than 71% per year for seven consecutive years.
Now, the investor who helped produce that performance — one of the most successful and wealthy billionaires in the investing world — is turning his attention to a different asset class: gold and silver.
Before we dig into why billionaires are focusing on precious metals again, here are some interesting facts about gold and a quick trivia question to test your knowledge.
Tens of Thousands of Ancient Coins Discovered — Off the coast of Sardinia, Italy, a diver uncovered a large hoard of ancient bronze coins dating to the early fourth century. Based on their collective weight, the number of coins is estimated to be between 30,000 and 50,000, and the find could be worth millions.
The World’s Most Expensive Gold Coin — The “Big Maple Leaf,” minted by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2007, is the heaviest commercially produced gold coin. It weighs 100 kilograms, is made of 99.999% pure gold, and carries a face value of one million Canadian dollars — though its intrinsic value far exceeds that amount thanks to its gold content.
Messages to the Universe — NASA placed “Golden Records” on the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft. Those records contain curated sounds, music, and greetings from Earth in case the probes are ever encountered by extraterrestrial intelligence.
❓Nuggets Trivia of the Week❓
Which country is known as the “Land of Gold” and was historically sought after by explorers for its vast gold resources?
A. South Africa
B. Australia
C. Ghana
D. Brazil
Scroll to the bottom for the answer.
The Best Seasonal Period For Gold Mining Stocks Starts Now…
If you’re thinking about increasing exposure to precious metals through equities, the November-to-February window may deserve attention.
Research from Ronnie Stoeferle at Incrementum AG shows that gold mining stocks have historically performed well during the four-month span from November through February. On average, gold miners have posted gains of roughly 2–5% in that period, making it a seasonally favorable stretch for the sector.
While the price of physical gold is near all-time highs, many gold mining stocks remain well below their prior peaks — some would need to climb more than 180% to reach their former highs. That disparity suggests the possibility of undervaluation in mining equities compared with the metal itself.
Incrementum’s report includes deeper analysis and charts that outline these seasonal patterns and valuation gaps. If you’re seeking leverage on metal price moves, mining stocks can act as a leveraged play on gold, offering higher upside in favorable periods but also carrying greater risk than owning physical bullion.
Keep in mind that over very long time horizons, physical gold has historically outperformed many mining stocks, and mining equities come with operational, geopolitical, and management risks. For investors willing to accept added volatility, a mix of physical metals as a base with tactical exposure to mining stocks may strike a balance between stability and upside potential.
Billionaires are Buying Gold — Are You?
Jim Rogers, who co-founded the Quantum Fund with George Soros in 1973, helped build a portfolio that returned approximately 4,200% by 1980 while the S&P 500 rose about 47% over the same period. Rogers, along with other prominent investors, is now emphasizing commodities — especially gold and silver — as attractive holdings amid current economic conditions.
In a recent interview, Rogers explained that commodities often outperform during inflationary environments and periods of geopolitical stress. He suggested that precious metals can serve as effective hedges and might even offer strong returns in inflationary cycles. Rogers has highlighted silver as especially compelling today, arguing it appears undervalued relative to historical relationships and industrial demand.
Other notable investors share similar views. Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates has recommended allocating 5–10% of a diversified portfolio to gold, citing its role in preserving wealth across long historical cycles. John Paulson and other investors have also pointed to de-dollarization trends and persistent inflation concerns as reasons institutional and individual investors are buying gold as insurance.
For those interested in building a position in precious metals, there are several approaches: buying physical coins or bars, owning allocated storage, using vaulting services, or adding exposure through mining stocks. Physical ownership remains the most direct way to hold the metal, while mining shares can provide leveraged upside but carry additional risks.
One example of a service aimed at making physical ownership accessible is a fractional-buying and vaulting option that lets investors accumulate gold or silver starting at modest monthly amounts, and then choose delivery or secure storage once holdings reach a full bar or coin.
Add To Your Gold Portfolio Today
That wraps up this edition of GoldSilver Nuggets.
We’ll see you next week.
Best,
Brandon S.
GoldSilver
❓Nuggets Trivia of the Week❓
Which country is known as the “Land of Gold” and was historically sought after by explorers for its vast gold resources?
A. South Africa
B. Australia
C. Ghana
D. Brazil
Answer: C — Historically, Ghana was known as the “Gold Coast” or the “Land of Gold” because of its abundant gold resources. European explorers and traders sought the region for its rich supplies of gold, especially from the 15th century onward. The historical reputation for gold played a central role in trade and shaped interactions between West Africa and Europe.