Gold Rallies to Largest Dollar Gain in More Than Two Decades
New York silver, gold and platinum futures were on fire Wednesday as the government’s takeover of American International Group (AIG) and financial uncertainty spurred investors away from Wall Street and toward precious metals and oil. Gold marked is biggest dollar gain in more than two decades with a $70 rise.
October crude-oil jumped $2.35, or 2.6 percent, to $93.50 per barrel.
December silver climbed an impressive $1.16, or 11 percent, to end at $11.68 an ounce.
October platinum gained $17.80, or 1.7 percent, to close to $1,086.30 an ounce.
December gold rose sharply by 9 percent to close to $850.50 an ounce.
The Royal Australian Mint will feature in the 2008 Floriade corporate gnome competition with an entry called ‘Priscilla, Coin of the Desert’.
U.S. Mint circulating coin production is down across the board based on a current pace that should see about 10.1 billion coins minted in 2008. That compares to 14.4 billion coins issued in 2007 and over 15 billion in years 2006 and 2005. In fact, at the current rate, 2008 coin output will end at its lowest level in at least the last ten years. 
