Gold and silver futures ended modestly lower on Wednesday, with silver almost flat, as the U.S. dollar continued to exhibit strength.
Gold for December delivery declined $5.10, or 0.5%, to end at $1,085.60 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
"Gold is struggling to make significant headway against prevailing U.S. dollar strength and the all important technical support at $1,080," MarketWatch quoted Ross Norman, CEO of Sharps Pixley Ltd. in London. "Gold is being dangerously drawn to the $1,080 level rather like a moth to a candle."
Gold prices ranged from a low of $1,082 to a high of $1,091.70. They edged up in the prior session by $1.30 or 0.1%. A week ago Friday, on July 25, gold settled near a 5-1/2-year low at a dime less than today’s close.
Silver for September delivery slipped less than a penny to $14.55 an ounce. Silver prices traded between $14.47 and $14.68. They advanced on Tuesday by 4 cents or 0.3%.
In other precious metals futures on Wednesday:
-
October platinum lost $7.60, or 0.8%, to $950.90 an ounce, ranging from $947.10 to $956.80.
- Palladium for September delivery shed $5.60, or 0.9%, to $593 an ounce, trading between $590 and $599.45.
London Precious Metals Prices
Earlier fixed London gold and silver prices declined as well. In comparing London bullion prices from Tuesday PM to Wednesday PM:
- Gold fell $5.55, or 0.5%, to $1,085.10 an ounce.
- Silver dipped 2 cents, or 0.1%, to $14.52 an ounce.
LBMA platinum and palladium prices are displayed on the LBMA’s website with a delay of midnight after the setting of the prices each day.
US Mint Bullion Coin Sales in August
United States Mint bullion sales were unchanged Wednesday as of 3:40 p.m. Eastern Time. Below is a listing of U.S. Mint bullion products with the number of coins sold during varying periods. Products with an asterisk (*) are no longer available.
| US Mint Bullion Sales (# of coins) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Sales | Last Week | This Week/Aug Sales | July Sales | YTD Sales | |
| $50 American Eagle 1 Oz Gold Coins | 0 | 22,000 | 1,500 | 144,500 | 344,500 |
| $25 American Eagle 1/2 Oz Gold Coins | 0 | 3,000 | 0 | 10,000 | 46,000 |
| $10 American Eagle 1/4 Oz Gold Coins | 0 | 6,000 | 2,000 | 28,000 | 100,000 |
| $5 American Eagle 1/10 Oz Gold Coins | 0 | 20,000 | 0 | 135,000 | 525,000 |
| $50 American Buffalo 1 Oz Gold Coins | 0 | 6,500 | 500 | 32,000 | 129,000 |
| $1 American Eagle 1 Oz Silver Coins | 0 | 2,820,000 | 1,057,000 | 5,529,000 | 28,372,000 |
| 2015 Homestead 5 Oz Silver Coins* | – | 35,000 | |||
| 2015 Kisatchie 5 Oz Silver Coins* | – | 42,000 | |||
| 2015 Blue Ridge Parkway 5 Oz Silver Coins* | 0 | 2,400 | 0 | 10,000 | 45,000 |
