New York gold was driven lower during an earlier sell-off Wednesday, but recovered some of its losses to close above $900 an ounce after the US dollar showed weakness. A late oil rally and reduced inflation fears also lent support for the yellow metal.

Oil gained $4.58 to close at $126.77 a barrel.

Silver gained the 9 cents it lost yesterday to close to $17.47 an ounce.

Platinum lost $7.30 to end at $1,738.10 an ounce. Goldman Sachs and Standard Chartered cut their platinum price forecasts for this year and next, lowering their expectations by $200-300 from previous forecasts.

Gold recovered from an intraday low of $895.20, closing to $902.90 an ounce for a loss of $13.60.

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The 2008 Richmond First Day $2 Single Notes were gone within a few hours of their availability. "SOLD OUT" was the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) message sent to its customers in the middle of Wednesday afternoon.

The Richmond single banknote joins this year’s other $2 collector notes — Atlanta, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Dallas — that were gone within hours.

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Just last week Zimbabwe released $100 billion notes in an attempt to fight inflation. But the new banknote on the day it hit the street wasn’t enough to buy a loaf of bread. Today, reports say it will take $200 billion to buy that loaf, and $600 billion to buy a can of Coke.

While Americans may be feeling an increased change in the value of its dollar due to inflation (see inflation calculator for examples), it’s nothing compared to the Zimbabwe 2,200,000% inflation rate.

It’s the world’s highest, and in an attempt to change that, Zimbabwe will now slash ten zeros from currency, making $10 billion a revalued one dollar.

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New $20 single collector notes are now available through the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). The offering is the third and final installment of the Series 2004 $20 Single Notes with each priced at $45.

Available banknotes include those issued from the following Federal Reserve Districts:

• Series 2004 $20 Single Cleveland Note
• Series 2004 $20 Single Richmond Note
• Series 2004 $20 Single Chicago Note
• Series 2004 $20 Single St. Louis Note

The issuance of the Series 2004 $20 note on October 9, 2003 was the first introduction to the subtle background colors for U.S. currency since the 1905 $20 Gold Certificate.

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Dallas, TX. Heritage Auction Galleries is excited to announce that Diedre Buchmoyer will direct Heritage’s new affiliated buying and auction consignment office in South Florida.

Heritage Galleries of Florida, LLC, is an exclusively tailored office bringing Florida residents state-of-the-art technology, a commitment to professional and friendly service, and knowledgeable collectibles experts.

The office, opening in September 2008, is located at 5295 Town Center Road, Suite 301, Boca Raton, FL 33486.

Under Managing Director Diedre Buchmoyer, Florida clients can obtain expert advice in the orderly and confidential liquidation of estates involving rare coins, fine jewelry, paper money, medals and tokens, rare stamps, and timepieces.  The range of services offered will include collection evaluation, consignments to upcoming Heritage auctions, or private treaty sales.

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The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has announced the sale of 2008 $2 Richmond notes will begin today, July 30, at 7:30 A.M. EDT.

The Cleveland and Philadelphia $2 notes have been passed over, having been placed in a delay mode in May and June so the BEP could complete "system maintenance improvements."

Although these two notes are still not available, the Richmond banknote is with an exception. Online orders are not yet fully automated, like they were in the past.

Customers are directed to download a PDF order form, complete the purchase information, and then e-mail (moneyfactory.sales@bep.treas.gov) or fax (1-888-891-7585) the order to the BEP.

Orders may also be placed via their toll free number 1-800-456-3408.

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