Precious Metal & Rare Coin Market News

In 1891, Congress authorized U.S. Mint Director Edward Leech to redesign silver coins in the country. Chief engraver Charles Barber began the process by hosting a contest and inviting artists to participate. He requested low relief designs and made clear that the winner would be awarded a cash prize. While open to the public, Leech specifically sought out the ideas and artwork of several specific artists. The value of the prize was $500. This plan ... >> Read More        

You've probably heard that U.S. inflation levels remain elevated. In August, the Consumer Price Index climbed 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. While inflation in 2021 can be blamed on a variety of factors like supply chain bottlenecks and pent-up consumer demand to expansive Federal Reserve monetary policy, new research from Deutsche Bank highlights another simple reason. The U.S. dollar is a fiat currency – which means it isn't backed by a commodity like gold. Throughout ... >> Read More        

The Delta variant has taught us – for the second time – just how fast the future can change. What was supposed to be a continued recovery reversed in mere months. Today, the outlook for the globe is dimming. Originally the threat presented by COVID was clear: social distancing and illness meant that economic activity fell dramatically. Nearly two years later the picture has changed. The threats are more numerous and more complex. Consider the ... >> Read More        

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Norfolk, Virginia's growth from a township first formed in 1682 to a royal borough in 1736 – an exciting commemorative silver half dollar was struck – the 1936 Norfolk Virginia Bicentennial. A husband and wife team – William and Marjorie Simpson created the elaborate design for the Norfolk Bicentennial silver half dollar which honors the city's seaport heritage. It might be one of the most complex designs you've ever ... >> Read More        

Despite rising inflation, gold has traded in a choppy and corrective manner recently. Some gold investors may be wondering if gold still offers the same level of portfolio protection as it has in recent years. While gold is down about 6% year-to-date and silver is down about 10%, that comes on the heels of a 22% gold gain in 2020 and a 44% silver gain last year. Investors may not realize that gold has delivered ... >> Read More        

Palantir Technologies is a big data analytics company that serves some of the most powerful organizations in the world. One of the three main segments of the company, Palantir Gotham, is a counter-terrorism tool and has a client list including the CIA, NSA, West Point, and Special Operations Command. It is no surprise that the company wants to become “the default operating system across the U.S. government.” These relationships put them in an elite class ... >> Read More        

The year 1914 marked the dawn of a new age as the Panama Canal reached completion. Today, the engineering marvel remains a crucial artery of international trade as more than $270 billion worth of cargo passes through the canal every year. Those behind the project knew the legacy of the canal would be immense. Therefore, they set out to begin planning, and funding the Panama-Pacific International Exposition – a celebration to commemorate the project – ... >> Read More        

Gold's price retreat this month offers long-term investors an opportunity "to buy on the dip." Yet, you may be wondering what could be the trigger for the next swing higher in gold prices. Wells Fargo Investment Institute analysts addressed that very question in an August 9 research note to clients. Here's what they said: "We suspect gold will soon resume a leadership position." What could send gold prices higher again? Chinese and Indian gold buying, ... >> Read More        

The biggest surprises always come in the third act. Covid is no exception. The Delta variant continues to cause a surge of infections and deaths as 30% of those in the US still remain unvaccinated. As Dr. Anthony Fauci put it, “things are going to get worse.” As the seven-day average of new daily cases rises businesses and investors are tempering their outlook. Previously the U.S. was experiencing approximately 10,000 cases a day. By early ... >> Read More        

Americans had mixed feelings about the $3 gold piece. In the late 1880's the $3 Indian Princess Head was worth well over a day's pay. What's more – it carried an odd number. It turns out that very few people wanted to use coin which did not fit into the already accepted decimal calculations. Even though it was not heavily used in circulation – the $3 gold piece instantly captured the attention of coin collectors ... >> Read More