Royal Mint £5 Crown Coin Keeps Big Ben Striking on Time
Gold Falls from Record, Stocks Retreat
2010 Lincoln Cent Design Unveiled
The US Mint today pulled away the drapes and revealed the new 2010 Lincoln Cent reverse design. The 2010 penny is a continuation of sorts of the themed 2009 designs, which reflect four distinct phases of Lincoln's life: his birth in Kentucky, his formative years in Indiana, his professional life in Illinois, and his presidency in Washington, D.C.
The 2010 cent theme is "emblematic of President Lincoln's preservation of the United States of America as a single and united country," and was outlined in authorizing Public Law 109-145.
While this year's cents were issued to celebrate the bicentennial birth of Abraham Lincoln and are minted for 2009 only, next year's penny design has no specific end date. It could be seen by generations yet to come. Congress would have to marshal through new legislation for ANY change to occur.
2009 Lincoln Presidency Cent Launch in Washington, DC
US Mint Sales: Buffalo Proofs Soften, UHRs and Eagles Rise
Gold coins are again the major talking points coming out of the latest US Mint sales data. Buffalo gold proof numbers are less spectacular than those from last week's report. But they are far from shabby and a retreat from the earlier blazing sales was to be expected.
Standing out also were Ultra High Reliefs, bullion Eagles, Braille dollars and the Mint's traditional annual sets. All improved over the prior week. Our bullet point analysis follows:
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In less than two weeks, collector 2009 Buffalo Gold Proof Coins surpassed the 2008 sales figures of 25,896. Another 8,487 were added, raising the total to 27,955. In the same family, the sister bullion versions are now at 132,000 for an increase of 15,500 in the last seven days. They are 40,000 shy of topping the same sized 2008-dated sales.
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American Silver Eagles climbed 850,00 during the same seven-day period, which was 151K better than the last. American Gold Eagles spurred ahead 30,000 -- more than double the prior figure. November is historically one of the better months of the year for bullion coins.
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UHR $20 Double Eagles advanced for a second week. Weekly numbers came in at 1,453 for a year-to-date tally of 103,764. Last week's report showed a pick up of 1,045 while the week prior was a lowly 562.
Gold Hits Record Near $1,120/oz, Dow at 13-Month High
Ponterio & Associates 2010 Auction Schedule
Coin News: $20 Gold Double Eagles, Fake Pound Coins
One Penny Pushes US Mint Gold Coin Prices Higher
In ironic fashion, a single penny will push US Mint collector gold coin prices higher.
The UHR Gold Double Eagle will increase by $50 to $1,489, the newly released 2009 Gold Buffalo Proof Coins will jump $50 to $1,410 and First Spouse Gold Coins will rise $25 to $729 for the proofs and to $716 for the uncirculated options.
The US Mint uses a London Fix weekly gold average to determine whether to keep gold coin prices the same, or adjust them up or down. An upward adjustment seemed unlikely as the several day average as of Tuesday was well below the $1100 threshold that would trigger them. However, the Wednesday AM London Fix came in higher by over a dozen dollars to $1114.75 an ounce, which was exactly enough to tip the balance.
Gold Slightly Higher, Silver Falls, Stocks Mixed
