(The Epoch Times)—Over $1.2 million (US$800,000) has been raised for Sydney hero Ahmed al Ahmed, the 43-year-old fruit shop owner, who risked his life to disarm one of the shooters of the terror attack targeting a Jewish crowd on Dec. 14.
In footage that has since gone viral, al Ahmed can be seen sneaking up on one of the shooters, Sajid Akram, before charging, grabbing, and wresting a high-powered rifle from his hands.
Akram fell to the ground and ran back to the bridge where his son, Naveed Akram, was stationed.
Its reported al Ahmed sustained five bullet wounds during the entire ordeal mainly across his left arm, with one embedded in his left shoulder blade. He is being treated at St Georges Hospital in Sydney’s Kogarah in the south.
“The doctor says he is okay. We hope he is okay. He is a hero, 100 percent he is a hero. He has two shots, one in his arm and one in his hand. He has had to have an operation,” al Ahmed’s cousin Mustafa told reporters.
A fundraiser on GoFundMe, initiated by Car Hub Australia, has already broken through its initial $1 million goal as of 10 p.m. on Dec. 15 (AEST).
“This GoFundMe has been created to show our gratitude and support for someone who demonstrated incredible courage when it mattered most,” read the description of the fundraiser, titled “Support the Hero Who Disarmed a Bondi Attacker.”
“In a moment of chaos and danger, he stepped forward without hesitation. His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety.
“No one expects to be a hero, but when the moment came, he was. Any contribution, big or small, is a powerful way to say thank you.”
Bill Ackman, U.S. billionaire investor and hedge fund manager, was the top donor so far giving $99,999.
“This is the verified link for the Bondi hero. I am told by @gofundme that the funds will only be released directly to the hero,” he wrote on X on Dec. 15.
A total of 16 people have died from the incident, including Sajid Akram, while 42 were injured with Naveed Akram in hospital and custody.
The mass shooting at Bondi Beach occurred on the evening of Dec. 14, targeting a Jewish Hanukkah festival.
A total of 27 victims remain hospitalised as of 1 p.m. on Dec. 15, according to the latest statement from NSW Health. Ages of the deceased victims ranged from 10 to 87 years old.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has visited the scene of the attack, laid flowers, and paid tribute to the victims. Both Albanese and the National Cabinet of Australian state and territory leaders have agreed to tighten gun laws in response to the incident.
Shooter Sajid Akram was a registered gun owner and legally possessed six firearms.
The incident is the worst mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur Massacre in 1996 that claimed 35 lives and spurred then-Prime Minister John Howard to tighten gun ownership and initiate a national buyback scheme.
Support is available for those affected by the Bondi terror attack. Contact Lifeline Australia at 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. For under 25s, Kids Helpline is at 1800 55 1800.
To donate blood, find your nearest donor center here.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.