Chinese and Indian gold and silver demand skyrocketing

The gold price recovered at Mumbai's bullion exchange in yesterday's trading session, buoyed by demand from India's jewellery industry. More and more international investors are also starting to expect that Portugal will draw upon financial assistance from EU partners, with further European sovereign debt instability expected.

In India, standard gold with a gold purity of 99.5% increased by 70 rupees and finished yesterday's trading session at 20,695 rupees per 10 grams. Pure gold with a gold purity of 99.9 jumped by 65 rupees to 20,795 rupees per 10 grams. The price for silver with a purity of 99.9 climbed by 400 rupees to 56,410 rupees per kilogram compared to the previous day. As traders from Mumbai's bullion exchange reported, the silver price was able to gain due to high investment demand as well as rising demand from industrial end users. Precious metals were also supported by the violence in Libya, which has driven many Asian investors to safe havens.

Temporary stabilisation of European bond markets, meanwhile, has not affected rising buying interest in gold and silver. Many investors are expecting that Portugal – following the precedent set by Greece and Ireland – will be the third Eurozone member to access the EU's European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). Yesterday gold climbed to $1,425 per ounce in Europe until 3 p.m. Silverreached about $37.50 per ounce at the same time.

However, as a Reuters survey published on Wednesday shows, 43% of 28 participating analysts expect the gold price to stagnate in a range between $1,450 and $1,500 per ounce in the secondquarter. Half of the participants saw the gold price even below or within a range of $1,400 and $1,450 per ounce until the end of June. Some analysts predict that the dollar will soon bottom, which could negatively affect the gold price development in the second quarter. Nevertheless, this situation would not disturb the yellow metal´s long-term bull market, though China's central bank voices a more cautious note.

As a study by the People´s Bank of China (PBC) published last Friday stated, "we need to note that gold prices have reached historical highs, and its downward risks should not be overlooked". However, this caution this is hard to reconcile with the PBC also warning of a deterioration in Europe's sovereign debt crisis, further declines in the US dollar over the rest of the year, further gains in commodity prices and continuing lax monetary policy from central banks.

China's state-owned broadcaster CNTV reported this week that gold purchases by domestic investors are skyrocketing. As the head of a large Chinese gold trading company said in an interview with the broadcaster, his business had grown by 20% every month in the last two years. More and more local traders are being told that their gold deliveries are being rationed due to the intense demand. More delivery bottlenecks will add to price pressure. The demand from China's middle class is one of the main drivers of the gold price. Market observers said that this situation would likely not change in the foreseeable future.

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Buying Silver and Avoiding the Sharks

I keep pounding, pounding, pounding the table that silver is the biggest bargain out there, for, at last count, a jillion reasons, and that anybody who does not buy silver Right Freaking Now (RFN) is making the mistake of a lifetime, and the family is all, like, "Will you please stop pounding the table? It is irritating and is making things spill, aside from the fact that we don't have any money with which to buy silver, and you know that!" which devolved into a lengthy discussion about who among them was the most irritated with me and everything I say or do.

So, to make these idiots happy, I stopped pounding, losing a lot of my spark of emphasis in the process. It just wasn't the same, and my breakfast cereal was getting soggy, too, so without using my trademark pounding to buttress my arguments, I decided to just let Jason Hommel, of theSilver Stock Report newsletter, highlight my "Buy silver or you are a moron!" theme with notices of a few serious delivery problems in the silver market, indicating shortages, to which he surmises that "the futures market is about to default on silver and gold deliveries. There is a growing market awareness that the banks have sold short over $200 billion to $400 billion in silver, while all the world's silver mines only produce about $30 billion of silver annually."

The lesson seems to be that there is shark-infested water everywhere, and "Market participants are now taking on the cornered banks, putting them into an epic short squeeze of having to deliversilver that does not exist in quantity even remotely compared to the amount of money that exists that can buy silver."

Now, as a cynical, paranoid ordinary trader/investor kind of guy who has been around long enough to have been eaten by financial sharks a few times, I am sure that they exist, and even today, baby sharks nibble at me, eating me, bite by bite, taking 1.5% of assets in fees and expenses every freaking year!

On the other hand, I never thought that I could be on the side of the sharks, and prove that "what goes around comes around" to my advantage, for a change!

And the good news from a "buy silver and prosper from inflation, Pilgrim!" standpoint, inflation and money-inspired growth ain't a-gonna stop, neither, as I was reading a Bloomberg.com article that brought up the Federal Reserve perhaps ending their long series of monetary stimulus programs one day soon.

It ain't a-gonna be, because but "While the Fed hasn't committed to the specific methods it will use to exit, or in what order, it has been releasing details about its progress in building new programs and expanding its ability to drain reserves."

Making a little joke of this, I note that this is, of course, akin to the fire department buying fire extinguishers instead of putting out the fire, so that in the future, if they do decide to put out the fire, they will be able to put out the fire! Hahaha!

Of course, I know this is not a fair analogy, and it's not very funny, either, despite my pathetic use of "Hahaha!" to try and convince you otherwise.

To try to correct that serious shortcoming, and to perhaps make it more apt, let me expand to say that first the volunteer firefighters would have to set a lot of houses on fire so that there would be both a demand for a permanent fire department paying high incomes to full-time employees, and there would be a big need for new housing to replace all the charred rubble, both seemingly stimulating the economy, but, alas, as the Austrian School of economics shows, not, although they end up accumulating a lot of fire extinguishers.

Okay, I can see that it's more apt, but still not funny, and getting un-funnier all the time, a deplorable condition that will undoubtedly be made worse when I continue to expand the analogy to the corrupt city council counterfeiting money to pay the firefighters and themselves, and pay for that spiffy new firehouse and City Hall, and pay for all that shiny new government gear and programs, thus creating a continual addition of money to the economy that drives prices up, drives the riffraff like me out, and drives the economy into the toilet.

With a start, I recoiled in horror, showing what a wussy coward I am about inflation, as the analogy became all too frightening when it included the inflation in prices that an inflation in the money supply brings!

That was, however, not the actual part that made my eyes open wide and the skin on my head draw back in fear, although I must warn you that it doesn't look that way when it happens, as I ruefully noted when the kids said to each other "Hey, look! Dad's ears are wiggling!"

This, of course, started the predictable domino effect from, "Why do you need ears when you never hear anything we say?", to "We keep saying that we need you to give us more money!", to "You're a cheap, horrible person!", to "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"

No, the part that really, really REALLY scared me was when the Journal followed that up with the sentence "This includes increasing the number of its counterparties." Gaaaahhhh!

It's the idea of derivatives all over again! "Spreading the risk"! Yikes! Run for it! We're Freaking Doomed (WFD)!

If you are NOT running in fear, then you are either stupid (and thus you cannot learn that you should be buying gold and silver when the Federal Reserve is creating so monstrously much money) or it means that you are smart (and thus you already have a lot of gold and silver).

 

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2011 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set™ Available April 1

Collectors may begin ordering the 2011 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set on April 1 at noon Eastern Time (ET).  The set, priced at $41.95, contains proof quality versions of the quarter-dollar coins honoring Gettysburg National Military Park (Pennsylvania), Glacier National Park (Montana), Olympic National Park (Washington), Vicksburg National Military Park (Mississippi), and Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Oklahoma).  Each quarter is struck in lustrous 90 percent silver.

The set was originally scheduled for release on March 29 but was delayed because of re-pricing resulting from the rising market price of silver.

The proof coins in these sets are minted at the United States Mint at San Francisco using specially prepared, highly polished dies and feature frosted cameo images on mirror-like backgrounds.  The coins-each bearing the "S" mint mark for San Francisco-are sealed in a protective lens and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Orders will be accepted at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468).  Please add $4.95 to all domestic orders for shipping and handling.

Customers who want to receive shipments of the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set each year beginning in 2012 may enroll in the Online Subscription Program.  To learn more about this convenient shopping method, visithttp://www.usmint.gov/catalog. 

2011 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set™ Available April 1

WASHINGTON - Collectors may begin ordering the 2011 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set on April 1 at noon Eastern Time (ET).  The set, priced at $41.95, contains proof quality versions of the quarter-dollar coins honoring Gettysburg National Military Park (Pennsylvania), Glacier National Park (Montana), Olympic National Park (Washington), Vicksburg National Military Park (Mississippi), and Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Oklahoma).  Each quarter is struck in lustrous 90 percent silver.

The set was originally scheduled for release on March 29 but was delayed because of re-pricing resulting from the rising market price of silver.

The proof coins in these sets are minted at the United States Mint at San Francisco using specially prepared, highly polished dies and feature frosted cameo images on mirror-like backgrounds.  The coins-each bearing the "S" mint mark for San Francisco-are sealed in a protective lens and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Orders will be accepted at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468).  Please add $4.95 to all domestic orders for shipping and handling.

Customers who want to receive shipments of the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set each year beginning in 2012 may enroll in the Online Subscription Program.  To learn more about this convenient shopping method, visit http://www.usmint.gov/catalog. 

The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce.  The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.

View full post at U.S. Mint

Fwd: 3/25 Coin News

Gold extends gains silver hits 31 year high

Gold remained marginally up in Asian trade Thursday, fuelled by continuing unrest in the Mena region while silver hit another record.

Spot gold was seen trading at $1439.14 an ounce at 2.00 p.m Singapore time and US gold futures for April delivery was at $1438.14 an ounce on the comex division of Nymex.

Analysts said the precious yellow metal is likely to extend gains, despite slight advancement of the Dollar Index, as investors remained concerned about the Middle East and North Africa and Japan.

However they said gold may face some pressure as the euro faced pressure on heightened worries on euro zone's debt crisis.

Meanwhile, silver hit another record as cash silver prices was seen trading at $37.44 an ounce, highest in 31 years.

On Wednesday, gold hit another record as a rally for crude reinforced fears of inflation and investors remained concerned about the Middle East and North Africa and Japan.

Gold futures settled at a record high on Wednesday Gold for April delivery rose $10.40, or 0.7%, to $1,438 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Bullion assets held in exchange-traded products stood at 2,029.789 tons.

Gold soared 30 percent in 2010 as investors sought to preserve their wealth against geopolitical risk and rising inflation.

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US Mint Introduces 2011 Native American Coin at Plymouth Bicultural Museum

PLYMOUTH, Mass. – B. B. Craig, United States Mint Associate Director of Sales and Marketing, and leaders of the Wampanoag Tribe introduced the 2011 Native American $1 Coin today during a ceremony at the Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts.

"The 2011 Native American $1 Coin celebrates the Wampanoag Treaty of 1621 that later led the English colonists and Massosoit and his men to join in a first harvest feast," said Craig.

Other speakers at the event included Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head; Cedric Cromwell, chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe; and Jim Adams, senior historian of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian.

Those who attended the ceremony were among the first in the Nation to get the 2011 Native American $1 Coin.  Adults exchanged their cash for the 2011 Native American $1 Coin following the event, while those 18 years old and younger received a newly minted coin to commemorate the event.

The United States Mint began minting and issuing the Native American $1 Coin in 2009, as required by Public Law 110-82, the "Native American $1 Coin Act."  Each $1 coin issued in the program will feature a design celebrating the important contributions made by Indian tribes and individual Native Americans to the history and development of the United States.

The reverse (tails side) of the 2011 coin depicts hands of the Supreme Sachem Ousamequin Massasoit and Governor John Carver symbolically offering the ceremonial peace pipe after the initiation of the first formal written peace alliance between the Wampanoag tribe and European settlers.  Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, $1 and WAMPANOAG TREATY 1621.

The reverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.  The coin's obverse (heads side) design continues to feature the familiar "Sacagawea" design by sculptor Glenna Goodacre.  Inscriptions are LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.  Like the Presidential $1Coins, the Native American $1 Coins are minted in the distinctive golden color with the year, mintmark and E PLURIBUS UNUM edge-incused.

The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce.  The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated andcommemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.

View Full Post at U.S. Mint Press Release

Numismatic Interview, 2011 Native American Dollars, 1804 Silver Dollar

We're back for another fresh round up of coin collecting news and articles from around the internet! To start, the latest numismatic interview is with a senior cataloger from Heritage Auction Galleries. Also, 2011 Native American Dollar Rolls, Medal of Honor Commemorative pricing, coininvesting webinar scheduled, CCAC seeks new member, 1804 Silver Dollar history, attractively toned coins bring premiums, GreatCollections.com launches, eye appeal in the internet age, and notable auctions. On to the links…

An interview with Mark Borckardt, who works as a senior cataloger at Heritage. He provides some information on his numismatic background and some of the highlights of his career.

On Monday, the United States Mint will begin sales of the 2011 Native American Dollar Rolls, although the coins have been available through Direct Ship, and the prices for Medal of HonorCoins will be increased, as the introductory period will end.

Another event on Monday will be a webinar on "Safe Coin Investing" conducted by Dave Harper, which includes a question and answer session. It is free, but registration is required. (A link to register is included in his blog post.)

Applications are now being accepted for a new member of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee who is specially qualified in numismatics. The CCAC advises on selection of themes and designs for U.S. coinage.

The Atlantic profiles five of the most famous coins from the National Numismatic Collection with the full history of the 1804 Silver Dollar.

Two 1881-S Morgan Dollars recently brought exceptionally high prices at auction. The bidding seems to have been motivated by the attractive toning of the coins.

GreatCollections.com has launched its auction and direct purchase site. The owner and president of the company is Ian Russell.

Rep. Ron Paul recently introduced the bill H.R. 1098, which seeks repeal legal tender laws and prohibit taxation on coins and precious metals.

A thought provoking Numismatic News Viewpoint that asks us to rediscover the true collector that resides within us and start a new collection of circulated coins.

In the internet age, an important consideration in buying and selling coins has become "will it image well," according to Doug Winter.

And now for some notable auctions.First, a 2009 Native American Dollar struck on a quarterplanchet. It has been authenticated by ANACS with a grade of MS65.

Next, a big lot of 196 Uncirculated Mint Sets, with dates ranging from 1971 to 2002. The same seller has a similar group of proof sets.

Last, a complete collection of the 50 State Quarters Collector Spoons. In the past, I have seen certain issues sell for big premiums.

That's it for this update. Have a great weekend!

View full post on Coin Update

March 22, 2011: First Spouse Gold Coins, 2009 UHR Double Eagle, 1998 Black War Patriots Commemorative

We're back to bring you another round up of coin collecting news and articles from around the internet! First, there are more sell outs for the First Spouse Gold Coins, with half of last year's issues no longer available. Also, the latest USMint weekly sales report, 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin prices, ANA Sacramento show report and auction results, Liberty Dollar trial reactions, NationalNumismatic Collection benefit auction, Black Revolutionary War Patriots Commemorative coin surcharges, YN's of theANA, and notable auctions. On to the links…

More of the 2010 First Spouse Gold Coins have sold out at the US Mint. Only four out of the eight options now remain available.

The weekly United States Mint sales report includes the debut figures for the 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set. Sales are down significantly from the prior year.

The latest market report from Steve Roach takes focus on the 2009 Ultra High Relief Gold $20 Double Eagle. Recently, premiums for the coins have risen, with multiple transactions at the $2,450 to $2,600 level.

A report from the ANA Sacramento show from William Shamhart of Numismatic Americana.

A summary and highlights for the Heritage auction conducted for the event. The top lot was a 1796 15 Stars Flowing Hair Half Dollar graded PCGS AU58, which realized $207,000.

Here are some reactions and coverage following the result of the Bernard von NotHaus trail from the Evansville Courier Press, Westlaw News & Insight, the New York Sun, and Patrick Heller forNumismaster.

A hoard of 53,000 Roman coins will reside in the Museum of Somerset, located in the British county the coins were unearthed, after sufficient funds were raised.

The Smithsonian Institution has a blog post discussing the special benefit auction conducted to raise funds towards an endowment for the National Numismatic Collection.

Despite nearly $1 million in funds raised from the US Mint's sales of the 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Silver Dollars, ground was never broken for the proposed memorial.

Should Young Numismatists of the ANA be allowed to vote? The right to vote may be taken away if new bylaws are passed.

And now for some notable auctions. First, to go with one of today's stories, here are the current auctions for the 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Silver Dollars. This issue commands a premium due to the lower mintage.

Next, the 2010-W Proof James Buchanan's Liberty Gold Coin, which sold out more than a month ago.

Last, a hoard of 177 State Quarter Rolls. These are all in the US Mint wrappers, originally sold for a much larger premium to face value than the current bid.

That's it for this update. Have a pleasant evening!

View full post on Coin Update

The $100,000 trazillion gaquillion plan

President Barack Obama called on Congress to quickly pass a new fiscal stimulus package that would provide nearly $100,000 trazillion gaquillionfrijillion in an effort to revive the U.S. economy, which some experts believe has entered a recession.

"Every economist I've ever heard of agrees what we need now is significantly more government investment to offset the negative effects of whatever it is that is happening," Obama said at his Monday press conference. "Accordingly, I and my team of advisors have developed a comprehensive plan that will shore up our financial institutions, put jobless Americans back to work, allow everyone in a house to keep it no matter what, rescue any failing bank or business, provide a hot meal to anyone who is hungry, improve the well being of all citizens, and give a puppy or kitten to every child who wants one.

"But Congress must put ideology aside and act now in a bipartisan manner before some other even worse stuff happens," he added, wiggling the fingers on both his hands to indicate "scary."

Details of the plan were presented by Lawrence Summers, Obama's top economic advisor and one of the plan's key architects. Using a colorful chart with squiggly lines, Summers estimated that 845 jiggashillion new jobs would be created in the plan's first year, with another 491 dubbadillion to follow over the next four years.

"Every American will be able to work two, three, four – heck, 10 or 20 jobs if he or she wants to," said Summers. "And the best part is the income taxes generated from all these new jobs will actually pay for the plan."

Obama emphasized that not only will all the new spending not impose any additional burdens on the middle class, the plan actually targets tax cuts toward politicallyfavored constituencies and whomever else it seems most expedient to target.

"The American people have spoken," said Obama. "They demand change, and I promise that I and every one of my former Clinton administration appointees will work hard to deliver that change." He also said something about hope and sacrifice and believing.

Other highlights of the plan include:

• $43 nurpillion for job training
• $89 bibblydefrillion for community reinvestment
• $505 frappakrillion for infrastructure and public works
• $732 hominavillion for health care and education
• $986 giggitysquillion for Goldman Sachs

Some prominent voices have criticized the plan, however. "It's a good start, but the president doesn't go nearly far enough," Nobel laureate Paul Krugman, Nobel-winning winner of the Nobel Prize in economics wrote today in his New York Times column. "We're talking about the need for another $344 grillion chillion beebopaloobillion, at the very least, to get this economy moving again. Also, tax cuts for anybody: Ick."

Congressional reaction was mixed, as House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) vowed to pass the stimulus package "even if I have to go around and push the 'yes' button for every member of this chamber myself, and don't think I won't" while some senators cautioned that more debate may be needed.

"A schlopparazillion here, a dreedilyhillion there, and pretty soon we're talking about real money," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

But Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) was optimistic about the bill's passage, noting that the Senate has already adopted legislation increasing the national debt ceiling to $4,000 pigglywigglyjibbityjabbityfrippityfroppitybadaboomillion.

When asked what safeguards would be put in place to ensure that none of the unprecedented $100,000 trazillion gaquillion frijillion was lost to waste, fraud, and abuse, Obama pointed behind the press corps, said "Oh my GOD! LOOK!" then quickly exited the room.

 

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Long-Term Trend for Gold and Silver Is Intact

It's very difficult for a trader to stick to a plan and not let news events dictate decisions. But every once in awhile there are news items that come along and attempt to trip investors up, forcing some to take their eye off the big picture. Many of us understand the long-term potential of precious metals and commodities, but the emotions — either unbridled enthusiasm or gloom and doom — of the herd often affect our decisions negatively at short-term turning points. This past week the news out of Japan (iShares MSCI Japan Index (EWJ) affected the majority of investors, who liquidated their positions and ran to the US dollar (UUP) and to long-term Treasuries (TLT) as safe havens, which I believe was a mistake as the G-7 came to the support of Japan.

Margin calls were issued and the fire sale intensified due to the hysteria produced by the doom-and-gloom media. It is important not to become influenced and to not allow news-related items to shake one off a long-term trend. Staying the course during times of great fear or news-related reactions is very difficult, but is necessary if one wants to ride a secular bull trend. You must not allow the news background to take your eye off the ball. Already, I heard from some that they want to give up and throw in the towel, and this is normal during sell-offs. When the times are easy and stocks are breaking new highs everyone wants to buy and it is great to be in the stock market, but when there is a sell-off and when companies pull back to key support, many want to throw in the towel and never want to trade again. Be careful of following this behavior as these sell-offs often turn out to be buying opportunities.

I believe the positions that we are in with precious metals and commodities will continue to maintain a two-year trend. The situation in Japan will force the printing of yen (FXY), putting more pressure on fiat currencies as deficits soar. I believe the geopolitical issues in the Middle East, combined with the Japanese earthquake relief has pushed off any tightening measures from US Central Banks and may even push Bernanke into expanding QE2 into QE3. The rebuilding efforts and monetary stimulus should be beneficial for gold (UGL), silver (AGQ), base metals (DBB), and commodities (DBC).

The US equity market (SPY) is reaching oversold levels not seen since my buy signal in August of 2010. The Japanese earthquake correction may be reaching a climax and a point of capitulation. The S&P has reached oversold levels on the RSI and stochastics. Each time it has reached this level a reversal has occurred. This should benefit mining stocks that have seen forced liquidation due to margin calls. As the 200-day moving average is moving higher, one needs to stay the course and trust the trend.

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has paused for two weeks as investors cover margin calls. Selling has occurred across the board and this may signal forced liquidation. As the equity markets stabilize so too should gold and a breakout into new highs may occur shortly as it appears to be setting up for a cup-and-handle breakout, which is indicative of a major move.

Beware of trading on fear rather than facts. It is easy to become distracted by news stories around us. A cold day in July does not mean that autumn is here. A 9.0 earthquake doesn't mean that Japan is over as many are predicting or that secular trends have reversed. Japan will begin rebuilding as it has done repetitively in the past following natural disasters. Do not be incorrectly drawn to the conclusion that the trends in precious metals or commodities are reversing. We must step back and separate the wood from the forest. Pullbacks in precious metals should be times to add to positions.

View full post on Gold & Precious Metals Sector and Stocks Analysis from Seeking Alpha

Suggestions on How to Buy Silver

Forecasting prices for anything can be tricky. And a precious-metal commodity such as silver is no exception. With gold holding the leash on its "lapdog" — silver — the performance of the so-called "yellow metal" holds the key to silver prices in 2011. Here's why: For several years leading up to the 2008 stock-market panic, it typically took 55 ounces of silver to buy an ounce of gold. Today, a gold ounce will cost you just 50 ounces of silver.

The message: There's been a fundamental shift, where precious metals investors see silver as the "more-affordable" true-money option. So, I expect this newer 50:1 ratio to hold, and perhaps to even decline — which portends a relative outperformance for silver versus gold.

View full post on Gold & Precious Metals Sector and Stocks Analysis from Seeking Alpha

The Secret Plan For a New Global Currency

The following is an excerpt of a chapter by Ellen Brown from the new book by Global Research Publishers, "The Global Economic Crisis: The Great Depression of the XXI Century."
By acting together to fulfill these pledges we will bring the world economy out of recession and prevent a crisis like this from recurring in the future. We are committed to take all necessary actions to restore the normal flow of credit through the financial system and ensure the soundness of systemically important institutions, implementing our policies in line with the agreed G20 framework for restoring lending and repairing the financial sector. We have agreed to support a general SDR allocation which will inject $250bn into the world economy and increase global liquidity.– G20 Communiqué, London, April 2, 2009

Gold and Silver Correction Ending

Although gold and silver have yet to show much, if any, upside volatility amidst the Japan crisis, the patterns carved out during the past several sessions strongly suggest corrections are ending and new uplegs about to emerge.

Given the uncertain and chaotic environment in the financial markets, this move could be powerfully higher — towards $1525 in gold and $40.00 in silver — against a backdrop of a rising euro/USD (falling US Dollar). ETFs that would be benefit include the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and iSharesSilver Trust (SLV).

View full post on The Market Oracle

	Gold Returns Above $1400, Silver Dips March 17, 2011 at 2:51 PM   U.S. gold prices climbed for a second day and returned to above $1,400 an ounce on Thursday, but... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
	US Mint Releases 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set March 17, 2011 at 10:33 AM   The United States Mint made the 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set available today,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
	Stimulation Acclamation – Thursday Kitcommentary March 17, 2011 at 9:10 AM   Precious metals prices opened amid mixed price trends this morning, reflecting on-going uncertainty... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
	2011 Gold Buffalo Bullion Coin Debuts March 16, 2011 at 9:29 PM   The United States Mint on Monday began selling the 2011 American Gold Buffalo Bullion Coin to its... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]