Elias took a breath. He chose a 1/4 ounce American Gold Eagle from JM Bullion. He hit "Checkout," opted for a secure bank wire to save a few dollars on the credit card fee, and waited.

Three days later, a nondescript, heavily taped box arrived. No "GOLD INSIDE" stickers, no flash. Inside, nestled in bubble wrap, was a small plastic flip. He popped it open. The coin was smaller than he expected, but the weight—that dense, unmistakable gravitational pull of 22-karat gold—made his heart skip.

Finally, he checked on eBay. He knew buying gold on eBay was risky, but Pinehurst was a "Top Rated Plus" seller with a massive physical presence. It offered the protection of a major platform with the reputation of a seasoned dealer.

He wasn't just a guy with a bank account anymore. He was a collector.

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