Precious metals traded within a narrow weekly range, ending mix with gold slightly lower and silver higher. Crude-oil plunged this week with the biggest loss on Friday following an unexpected drop in consumer confidence, which was also cited for pulling down US stocks. European stocks ended lower on the week as well. In London bullion [...]
The cost of living in the US remained unchanged in July while annual inflation fell the most since January 1950, or nearly 60 years, the Labor Department reported Friday. The government’s Consumer Price Index shows year-over-year inflation declined 2.1%, cut down by sharply lower energy costs as compared to last year when gasoline prices were [...]
The US Mint ceremoniously launched the ‘Professional Life’ cent in Illinois on Thursday, August 13, at the Old State Capitol in Springfield. US Senator Dick Durbin and US Mint Director Ed Moy unveiled the penny following a short program that included speeches and songs from the Lincoln Troubadours.

While children received a free cent, adults waited in line for the opportunity to exchange $3 cash for 6 rolls of the new design. Many followed their exchange experience with a trip to the US Post Office to wait in another line for the chance to get their new rolls marked with a cancellation stamp, officiating the date.
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Gold gained for the third consecutive day on Thursday as the U.S. dollar came under fire and crude-oil prices rose, increasing the yellow metal’s appeal. In other market news, silver and platinum surged while U.S. stocks climbed slightly. In New York precious metals trading futures: Silver for September delivery jumped 40.2 cents, or 2.8 percent, [...]
On the grounds of the Old State Capitol Building in Springfield, Illinois, the US Mint officially launched the third design of the 2009 Lincoln Cents. Known as the ‘Professional Life in Illinois‘ penny, the crowd of Springfield citizens and visitors welcomed the new coin with pomp and excitement in mild 80 degree weather. United States [...]
Dominating American Silver Eagle sales reach 630,000 in less than two August weeks. 2009 Lincoln Rail Splitter Cents make their final push over the 300,000 barrier. And UHR $20 Double Eagle Gold Coins swing toward 78,000.
Impressive? Certainly. But so are 2009 Proof Sets numbers. The 18-coin clad set jumped another 21,006 to hit 936,674. The million mark looks to be a few short weeks away. Silver proof sets rose 20,716 to settle at 406,455.
In other related news this week, Lincoln Formative Years penny rolls sold out. The latest two-roll set tally is 300,246, which will be close to the final sales figure for the second 2009 penny. The US Mint timed the sell out as the third 2009 cent, the Lincoln Professional Life penny, takes center stage Thursday. The coin is ceremoniously launched and two-roll sets go on sale. Collectors will anxiously await next week’s figures.
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Gold on Wednesday climbed for the second straight day as the U.S. dollar retreated against other world currencies and oil prices rose. In other metals, platinum declined but silver advanced. The three major U.S. stock indexes gained between 1.1 percent and 1.5 percent. In New York precious metals trading futures: Silver for September delivery gained [...]
On the eve of the third Lincoln cent launch, the United States Mint has stopped selling penny rolls of the second issued 2009 Lincoln coin design known as the Rail Splitter, or the Formative Years cent.
Visitors to the Mint information page for the rolls now see the words "Sold Out" in bolded, red font.
The two-roll sets with 50 coins from Philadelphia and 50 coins from Denver went on sale May 14 for $8.95 each. The latest US Mint sales report shows 300,246 were purchased by collectors as of Sunday, August 9.
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Two nearly identical coin bills were introduced in the Senate and House late last month that would commemorative the National Future Farmers of America Organization with gold and silver coins. Senate bill S. 1553 and House Resolution H.R. 3464 — both entitled the National Future Farmers of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 — would [...]
Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin and currency auction house, conducted its second of two official American Numismatic Association auctions for 2009 over five live sessions last week at the Los Angeles Convention Center as the Official Auctioneer of the ANA World’s Fair of Money.

Teletrade Certified Coin & Currency Auctions, sister company to Bowers and Merena, served as the official online auctioneer for the show, conducting auctions on Sunday and Monday, August 9-10. Together they realized a total in excess of $15 million.
"It has been a tremendous opportunity to work with the ANA over this past year, first in Portland and especially now in our own backyard of Los Angeles. The ANA consistently presents a first rate show and it was a privilege to play such an important role in this event as the only official auctioneer," said Steve Deeds, president of Bowers and Merena.
"We are very pleased with the results of the auction. This was our second largest auction in the past five years by both value and number of lots, and under the present economy I think that speaks volumes."
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