Precious Metal & Rare Coin Market News

After nearly a decade of nearly non-existent inflation – the phenomenon of rising consumer prices is back. This spring, U.S. consumer prices saw their biggest jump since August 2008. And, inflation is sticking around. U.S. consumer price growth continued to climb in September, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. Over the last 12 months, U.S. consumer prices gained 5.4%. While Federal Reserve officials continue to downplay the recent jump in prices from everything from gas to ...

Stagflation describes an economic setting in which inflation increases while economic output slows or stops. This condition was first seen in the US in the 1970s when the country experienced five quarters of negative GDP growth. Stagflation is beginning to surface in conversations today because economic growth appears to be weakening and inflation appears to be on the rise. Recently, the I.M.F. issued a warning that “pandemic outbreaks in critical links of global supply chains ...

Wass, Molitor & Company, a legendary California Gold Rush era private gold firm, had its origins in Hungary just ahead of the Hungarian revolution. The firm's founders, Count Samuel C. Wass and Agoston P. Molitor, both pursued metallurgy studies in Germany before returning home to Hungary to launch their careers in the Hungarian mining regions. Then, revolution broke out! In 1848, Hungarian revolutionaries seeking their independence went to war with the Austrian Empire. After the ...

Over 4,000 years ago, silver ingots were used as currency in ancient Greece. Today, silver remains a store of value, portfolio diversifier, fiat currency hedge and a tangible asset to grow and protect your wealth. What's more, silver is on the dawn of a new age of industrial demand. You may know that silver not only benefits from investment demand but that the metal also attracts industrial demand too. Many people, however, don't realize how ...

Few realize the value of gold in the public health sector. Too often gold is considered a store of wealth, a part of the jewelry industry, or a component in electronics. The purpose of gold in medical solutions goes unnoticed. Slowly, the COVID crisis is revealing just how important gold is for keeping countries healthy. The link between gold and global health is found within the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3). This initiative was ...

Gold traded higher Wednesday afternoon after the Federal Reserve kept its easy money policies intact. At the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting, the Fed kept its official interest rate at the rock bottom range from zero to 0.25% and did not signal a "tapering" of its monthly $120 billion  bond purchases that the Fed began last year to stimulate the economy. Gold traded up $9.30 at $1,783.40 an ounce after the Fed meeting today ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...