New York gold prices inched slightly higher Wednesday, as the markets watched the financial debate and waited for any Washington movement on the U.S. $700 billion bailout plan. Silver, gold and platinum futures rose, 2.1 percent, 0.4 percent, and 1.2 percent, respectively.

November crude-oil lost 88 cents to settle at $105.73 per barrel. The U.S. Energy Department reported declines in crude, and gasoline supplies for last week, but also reported weaker demands.

December silver climbed 27 cents to close to $13.44 an ounce.

October platinum gained $13 to end at $1,225 an ounce.

December gold moved up $3.80 to settle at $895 an ounce. During the day, it hit a low of $890.40 and a high of $907.80.

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A Senate bill casts new light on a proposal to commemorate the bicentennial of the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ with a silver dollar.

Maryland Senators Cardin and Mikulski introduced S. 3525 Thursday, which calls for 350,000 commemorative $1 silver coins to be issued in 2012, the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

Each silver coin would:

• weigh 26.73 grams;
• have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
• contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper

S. 3525 follows on the heels of the passage of House Resolution 2894, the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act. The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2894 in May with the support of nearly 300 cosponsors. It was then forwarded to the Senate for consideration.

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(Irvine, California) — Spectrum Numismatics International of Irvine, California again is expanding its operations with the opening of a World Currency Division. 

"We have hired long-time paper money collector and dealer, David Leong of New Hampshire, to be our World Currency Trader.  His three decades of extensive experience and knowledge will be a tremendous benefit to collectors as we launch our World Currency Division," said Peter A. Treglia, Director, Spectrum Currency.

Leong is a contributor to the respected reference books, Standard Catalog of World Paper Money and Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money.

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