OK, after watching Ed Steele liquidate a fairly sizable coin collection (mostly non-gold) in just a few days, I'm finally interested in purchasing some precious metals. The thing is, I don't even have the slightest idea where to begin. And I'm obviously a bit reticent about buying any commodity that is at an all-time high, but the general consensus seems to be that it's just going to keep going up.

So my question is: where do I begin? Where is the best place for a newbie to start?

Thanks in advance for any advice or assistance.