Gold not only ended higher on Wednesday, but closed up on the year for an eighth consecutive time. Surging oil prices and a weakened U.S. dollar supported the yellow metal’s move. New York silver, gold and platinum futures gained 2.9 percent, 1.6 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively.
February crude-oil surged $5.03, or 12.9 percent, to close to $44.06 a barrel. However, oil moved down 54 percent for the year, and finished more than $100 lower from its record $147.27 a barrel on July 11.
The average price for regular unleaded gasoline rose one-tenth of a penny to $1.617 a gallon, according to AAA. The average price one year ago was $3.043 a gallon.
March silver gained 31.5 cents to close at $11.295 an ounce.
January platinum rose $23.50 to end at $941.50 an ounce.
Gold for February climbed $14.30 to settle at $884.30 an ounce. Read the rest of this entry »
A joint U.S. Mint and Washington Metro press conference last week announced that $1 coins were accepted and dispensed in Metro farecard vending machines.
Thanks to Metro and its YouTube channel, the video of the conference with United States Mint Director Ed Moy and Metro’s Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Chief Financial Officer Carol Kissal is available.
The video — embedded below — offers a unique perspective, and a rare look into a Mint press briefing evangelizing the benefits of using $1 coins. Read the rest of this entry »
Precious metals were split on Tuesday as silver gained while gold and platinum dropped along with oil. New York gold and platinum futures dipped 0.6 percent and 0.9 percent respectively. Silver rose 1.6 percent.
February crude-oil fell 99 cents, or 2.5 percent, to close to $39.03 a barrel. The average price for unleaded gasoline dropped three-tenths of a penny to $1.616 a gallon, according to AAA.
March silver gained 17 cents to close at $10.98 an ounce.
January platinum fell $8 to end at $909.90 an ounce.
Gold for February lost $5.30 to settle at $870 an ounce. Read the rest of this entry »
OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The Royal Canadian Mint has proudly produced the medals for the upcoming 2009 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. This spectacular sporting event, which will play host to 10 countries, will take place in Ottawa from December 26, 2008 to January 5, 2009.
"The Mint is delighted to be taking part in what has become a holiday tradition of cheering on Team Canada, which this year has even more significance, as they are going for gold for the fifth consecutive year", said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Each medal has been skillfully crafted at the Mint’s Ottawa facility, which is very proud to be a part of the tournament’s host city".
Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado students in 31 elementary, middle and high schools collected nearly 3.8 million in pennies, or $37,826.02, for local charities during the 18th annual Penny Harvest.
The Penny Harvest is a national program that comes to fruition each fall when children scour their neighborhood in search of pennies.
Collected pennies are tallied toward year’s end with youthful philanthropy in full stride as students select charities of their choice to help with cash grants and services. Read the rest of this entry »
Four numismatic articles are referenced on CoinNews every Tuesday and Thursday. These articles are not authored by us, but we recommend collectors read them for their unusual or interesting content. Here are today’s articles:
By Paul Gilkes, COIN WORLD
Two of the four Lincoln cents issued for circulation during the 1909 inaugural year of the small cent series bear the v.d.b. initials of the coin’s designer, sculptor Victor David Brenner, on the bottom border of the reverse. Brenner had initially hoped to have his entire surname spelled out in the reverse location.
Read ‘Designer’s initials trigger debate over signing 1909 cents’ »
By Sandy Shore, The Associated Press
Investors who have forsaken shaky financial markets for the safety of gold must feel a little bit like prospectors. As the worst recession in at least a generation spreads, so too does the clamor for gold bars and coins, assets less likely to go up on smoke like so many derivatives and asset-backed securities.
Read ‘Woes on Wall Street coincide with gold coin rush’ »
Read the rest of this entry »
Counterfeiting money — one of the oldest crimes in history — has now trended to a new five-year high, according to the Secret Service who has exclusive jurisdiction in protecting US currency.
While no where near a historical peak set during the Civil War when one-third to one-half of notes were counterfeit, fake bills in 2008 accounted for some 64.4 million dollars. That marks a 5 percent increase over 2007 and a new level not seen since 2004. Read the rest of this entry »
The U.S. government in November, and for the second consecutive month, printed fewer but higher valued banknotes, according to Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) figures released Tuesday.
476,800,000 banknotes were produced last month valued at $18,841,600,000. In contrast, the BEP printed 608M Notes Worth $14.1B in October.
Compared to October, 51.2 million more $100s were issued. Additionally, 22.4 million of the less frequently issued $50s were printed.
The BEP also produced 10,000 sheets of $100s and 20,000 sheets of $50s in star notes (total of these not in table below). Star notes are replacements for misprinted notes or certain serial numbers, like 000 000 000. They are generally more desirable to collectors as they are rarer. Read the rest of this entry »
The American Numismatic Association is inviting its members to showcase their collections and expertise by displaying a numismatic exhibit at the 2009 Portland National Money Show™, March 13-15.
Exhibitors have the option to enter their displays in competitive (judged, with six open divisions), non-competitive, or marquee categories. Competitive exhibits are judged on a variety of standards, including creativity, presentation and degree of difficulty. A special "Oregon at 150" award will be presented in honor of the host state’s 150th year of statehood.
The Collector Gallery brings together talented numismatists and exceptional collections from around the world. All areas of numismatics are represented, including United States coins and paper money, ancient and medieval coins, tokens and medals, and other topics from across the globe. Read the rest of this entry »
2008 US Mint American Eagle gold and silver coins are quickly disappearing. Several sold out, some face elimination, and 2009 replacements are on the horizon.
Tables comparing 2007 and 2008 Mint sales figures emphasize coins that look to have been good buys. Plus, potential opportunities that may still exist. Before analyzing the tables, consider also:
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US Mint discontinued coin products include the American Eagle Gold Uncirculated 1/2, 1/4, 1/10, and Four-Coin Sets. Only the one-ounce option will remain in 2009.
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The Mint has scheduled several 2009 product releases, but no dates have yet been listed for American Eagles. 2008 coins that do not sell out will stop with 2009 launches.
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The latest Mint sales figures comparing December 2008 week 3 to week 4 indicate high demand for American Eagle gold proof coins, and even greater demand for the uncirculated options.
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The proof one-half ounce and four-coin set have sold out within the last eight days. The gold proof one ounce sold out the week prior. It would seem more coins would likely join the sell out list.
Comparison tables follow: Read the rest of this entry »
