Gold climbed Tuesday for the first day in three, but closed down for the month of March. A weakened U.S. dollar helped gold’s appeal Tuesday, although it could not boost silver as it fell below $13 an ounce. In other markets, platinum, crude and U.S. stocks inched higher.

In New York bullion trading futures:

• Silver fell 4.8 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $12.985 an ounce.

• Gold gained $7.10, or 0.8 percent, to $922.60 an ounce. Gold lost 2.1 percent in March, but gained 4.3 percent for the quarter.

• Platinum climbed $7.20, or 0.6 percent, to $1,120.80 an ounce.

Read the rest of this entry »

A Utah woman who tried paying for Walmart groceries with $20 Gold Double Eagles was apparently turned away, and then exchanged 14 of them at a nearby bank for face value, according to one of the most unusual coin stories ever relayed in the media.

In a further twist, the bank’s teller apparently realized the uniqueness of the coins, bought them for what he paid the lady, and later learned of their value from a coin dealer.

As the story continues, we discover the teller was fired and a search for the woman is in progress. Read the rest of this entry »

Four numismatic news or coin blog articles are referenced on CoinNews every Tuesday and Thursday. These articles are not authored by us, but we recommend coin collectors read them for their unusual or interesting content. Here are today’s articles:

Mints coin it as consumers scramble for gold
Reuters

In the heart of Vienna in a Biedermeier building commissioned by Emperor Franz I, a man wearing a khaki uniform and beret exchanges a wad of euro notes across the counter for a few sparkling gold coins…

Go to story »

Read the rest of this entry »

(Dana Point, California) — Nationally-known political leader, author and economic crusader, Wayne Allyn Root, the 2008 Libertarian Party Vice Presidential nominee, has been named National Spokesman and Chief Economic and Political Strategist for Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California (www.RCW1.com), one of America’s premiere rare coin and gold bullion companies. 

Root advocates a free market economy, dramatically smaller government, lower spending, lower taxes and reduced government regulation.

"Every investor looking at today’s economy needs to know about the importance of tangible assets in any diversified portfolio, particularly gold and investment-quality rare coins.  We are proud to announce the dynamic Wayne Allyn Root as our National Spokesperson to spread the word," said Steven L. Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers.

Read the rest of this entry »

Gold fell Monday for the second consecutive day as the U.S. dollar climbed against major world currencies. The yellow metal did not retreat alone. Silver, platinum, oil and stocks fell as well.

For the bullion daily numbers, New York gold, silver and platinum futures lost 0.8 percent, 1.7 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.

May silver declined 23 cents to $13.033 an ounce.

April platinum fell $14.40 to close at $1,113.60 an ounce

Gold for April delivery lost $7.70 to end at $915.50 an ounce.

"Tendencies on equity markets and the dollar will be the dominant factors for oil and gold this week," Barbara Lambrecht, analyst at Commerzbank, was quoted on Reuters.

  Read the rest of this entry »

(Newport Beach, California) — The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) will be at the upcoming April 2009 Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo and the Chicago International Coin Fair. 

PCGS representatives will be available to answer questions and accept submissions for all levels of service, excluding bulk submissions.  On-site grading will not be offered at either show.

Visit the PCGS booth, #34, during dealer set up and the first three days of the four public days at the Santa Clara Expo (www.SantaClaraExpo.com), April 2 – 5, in the Santa Clara, California Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, where free parking is available. Public hours are Thursday, April 2, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Admission is $6 (good for all four days); $3 for seniors (65 and up) and anyone with a valid coin or stamp club member card and children 8 to 16.  Children 7 and under are admitted free. Read the rest of this entry »

Gold and silver coins celebrating the bicentennial writing of the Star-Spangled Banner will be issued in 2012, should reintroduced legislation makes its way through Congress and find Presidential approval.

The Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act, S. 653, would authorize the United States Mint to strike up to 100,000 $5 gold coins and a maximum of 500,000 silver dollars that are "emblematic of the War of 1812 and particularly the Battle for Baltimore that formed the basis for the Star-Spangled Banner."

The legislation is not new. Similar bills (minus the gold coin provisions) were brought before the Senate and House last year. The House version passed, but died in the Senate. Maryland U.S. Senators Benjamin Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, who jointly reintroduced the latest version, hope this year will be different. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 Puerto Rico Quarters were officially released into circulation Monday with rolls and coin bags of the quarter-dollars available directly from the United States Mint.

The Puerto Rico quarter is the second of six coins to be released in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program.

The design on the reverse or tails side of the quarter features a historic sentry box in old San Juan and a hibiscus, Puerto Rico’s official flower. The design by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna also includes the inscriptions Isla del Encanto (Island of Enchantment), E PLURIBUS UNUM, 2009 and PUERTO RICO. Read the rest of this entry »

Gold and silver moved lower on the week, but platinum, oil and world stocks finished higher. The London gold fixing ended down 3.1 percent while silver dropped 3.2 percent. Platinum, however, rose 1.9 percent.

For the third straight week, U.S. stocks rallied higher and have marked the best 14 days in seven decades. Since last Friday’s close, the Dow jumped 6.8 percent, the S&P 500 gained 6.2 percent, and the Nasdaq added 6.0 percent. European stocks were higher as well.

In crude-oil news, demand fears pushed New York futures lower Friday. Crude for May delivering plunged $1.96, or 3.6 percent, to $52.38 a barrel. Overall, oil gained for the sixth consecutive week, but only by 0.6 percent.

Meanwhile, AAA said the average price for unleaded gasoline on Saturday was $2.038 a gallon compared to $1.882 a month ago and $3.275 a year ago.

Coming back to precious metals numbers, London silver ended Friday at $13.22 an ounce, losing 43 cents since last Friday’s close.

London gold closed to $924.00 an ounce, falling $30.00 for the week.

London platinum climbed to $1,131.00 an ounce, rising $21.00 on the week. Read the rest of this entry »

The uncirculated Lincoln Silver Dollar sold out Tuesday, the Lincoln Cent Birthplace Rolls sold out Thursday, and the proof Lincoln dollar joined the sellout list Friday morning.

For the desperate minded collector, an attempt may still be made to place an order for the proof coin on the US Mint’s website. However, visitors to the online page will be greeted with a "Waiting List Notice" and language saying orders will not be processed unless an older one is cancelled. That same notice was placed on the uncirculated Lincoln dollar page for nearly two days, until it was removed Thursday — hours before the Lincoln two-roll sets sold out.

The Lincoln bicentennial coins have proven to be exceptionally popular with collectors. 450,000 Lincoln commemorative silver dollars have been purchased since they were launched by the Mint on February 12. Then in less than two weeks time, 96,000 Lincoln Cent two-roll sets were sold out — the birthplace cent rolls went on sale Friday, March 13.
Read the rest of this entry »