I have been in the precious metals busines for over 40 years, from mining, refining to retail sales and I think the prices are just beginning to move.
I buy all of the gold and silver I can find... at spot or below.
I keep an ad in the newspaper about 1/2 the time and pay about 1/2 spot for junk gold and silver. This is not something for the unprepared. You will need to be able to be certain of the metal content. Remember 12 carat gold is only 1/2 gold and 1/2 something else. You can't pay gold spot for it an make money.
I send all of our mined gold and silver from Tanzania to the Royal Canadian Mint where they refine it to 99.99% pure and pay me in gold or silver Maple Leaves.
Keeping the metal is okay, silver can become a burden due to size and weight of large quantities, gold is easier. Many dealers will sell you "junk" coins that are pure silver. Often for close to spot prices. These are just coins that are not collectable due to wear or commonality. They are silver and have metals value. Don't buy foreign coins, they are hard to sell. Coins are much easier to sell than bullion bars. With bullion you could easily be required ot pay for an assay and remelt before anyone will buy it.
Metal stocks and other securities are, of course, subject to the stock market and those fluctuations as well as the price of metals. I do not buy metals stocks.
Also remember gold and silver have never been worth nothing, they always have value.