Gold inched higher for a second straight session in light trading Thursday. Gold for February delivery climbed $3.00, or 0.2%, to $1,663.70 an ounce on the Comex in New York. The yellow metal traded through a pricing range of $1,653.10 and $1,666.10.
"Comex gold futures prices ended the U.S. day session modestly higher in thin holiday dealings Thursday," noted Jim Wyckoff in the PM Kitco Metals Roundup.
"Some short covering and bargain hunting, and even some fresh safe-haven demand, lifted the yellow metal… Many traders and investors are on the sidelines this week, enjoying the holiday season. That is making for thin market conditions."
Silver tracked gold with March silver futures advancing 20.5 cents, or 0.7%, to $30.240 an ounce, trading between $29.715 and $30.530.
Platinum was the lone precious metal to fall Thursday. Platinum for April delivery — the new, most active contract — closed at $1,536.00 an ounce, falling $3.00, or 0.2%. The precious metal ranged from $1,532.40 to $1,551.50.
Sister metal palladium surged with March palladium futures up $16.10, or 2.3%, to $708.50 an ounce. It traded between $689.35 and $710.00.
London Bullion Prices
London markets reopened Thursday following three off days for Christmas. In contrasting London fixings from Monday to Thursday:
- Gold declined $7.00, or 0.4%, to $1,655.50 an ounce,
- Silver fell 44.0 cents, or 1.5%, to $29.75 an ounce,
- Platinum shed $7.00, or 0.5%, to $1,536.00 an ounce, and
- Palladium jumped $17.00, or 2.5%, to $700.00 an ounce
US Mint Bullion Coin Sales in December
Sales levels for U.S. Mint bullion coins were unchanged Thursday as of 4:31 PM ET. Sales on the day, for the week-to-date, December and year-to-date follow.
| US Mint American Eagle and Buffalo Bullion Coin Sales | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Sales | Last Week | Week-To-Date | Dec Sales | YTD 2012 | |
| $50 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins | 0 | 30,500 | 2,500 | 66,500 | 660,500 |
| $25 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins | 0 | 1,000 | 0 | 3,000 | 71,000 |
| $10 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins | 0 | 2,000 | 0 | 6,000 | 76,000 |
| $5 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 315,000 |
| $50 American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coins | 0 | 1,500 | 0 | 8,000 | 132,000 |
| American Eagle Silver Coin* | N/A | 232,000 | N/A | 1,635,000 | 33,742,500 |
*The 2012-dated American Eagle silver coin sold out last week. The U.S. Mint will begin selling the 2013-dated coins on January 7, 2013.
| America the Beautiful 5 Oz. Silver Bullion Coin Sales | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Sales | Last Week | Week-To-Date | Dec Sales | All-Time Total | |
| 2012 El Yunque National Forest 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,000 | 21,900 |
| 2012 Chaco Culture National Historical Park 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2012 Acadia National Park 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25,400 |
| 2012 Hawai’i Volcanoes 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2012 Denali National Park 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2011 Olympic National Park 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85,900 |
| 2011 Vicksburg National Military Park 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39,500 |
| 2011 Chickasaw Park 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29,700 |
| TOTAL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,000 | 262,400 |
Coin sales figures shown above are in the number of coins sold. Calculate total ounces by using the bullion coin’s weight.
