I use this web site to reference prices and selling premiums:
www.tulving.com
Rather than accept a moderate hardship (due to past economic excesses) for a lengthy period of time - as the Japanese economy has done - I believe the US economy is being propped up (inflated) by debt in something resembling a Ponzi scheme. At some point the whole thing comes crashing down and the pain will be greater than what the Japanese have experienced.
Don't go into debt to buy anything (other than a house to live in). If you have any debt whatsoever (including that mortgage on the house you live in), pay it off entirely before buying any gold.
Ken300D