Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Silver Market Outperforming Gold

Silver Prices Going Up

So far this year silver has outperformed gold, and that could continue on for some times, as silver is not only used as a hedge against inflation, but trades much more on supply and demand than its stronger cousin gold, which will keep silver prices going up.

With commodities certain to perform strongly in the years ahead, and silver possibly one of the potentially strongest performers among commodity metals, it future looks bright for investors in this area.

Those that understand commodities are starting to respond stronger in preparation for that, and one of those is the European-based ETF Securities, which has just created a new ETF focusing on silver.

"It's the first step in building a platform for commodities," said Graham Tuckwell, founder and chairman of ETF Securities.

This particular ETF will buy silver, and those investing in it will be buying into physical silver stored in a vault and stamped with a serial number.

Silver prices should continue to go up as demand outpaces supply, and new demand causes permanent usage of the metal which is unrecoverable.

Silver Prices Going Up

Friday, July 17, 2009

US Mint Launches 2009 Silver Proof Set

US Mint 18-coin 2009 Silver Proof Set

The US Mint just launched the 18-coin 2009 Silver Proof Set for $52.95. The annual set is a favorite with collectors, highlighted by the no longer available 2008 Silver Proof Set with sales of 774,874 as of Sunday.

The 2009 set is actually $8 more than last year’s offering, but it also includes an additional silver quarter and four bicentennial 2009 Lincoln cents specially struck in 95% copper, 3% zinc and 2% tin — the same alloy used in the original 1909 penny.

Similar to the fast-selling 2009 clad proof set that was issued by the Mint in June, the silver set contains collector proof versions of circulating 2009 coinage. All coins bear the "S" mint mark denoting they were minted at the United States Mint in San Francisco. Additionally, the dime, half-dollar, and six quarters are struck in lustrous 90 percent silver. The set has an intrinsic silver value of $19.99 at Friday’s silver spot price of $13.16 an ounce.

The following 18 coins are included in the set:
Four 2009-S Lincoln Cents: Lincoln Birthplace Penny, Lincoln Formative Years Penny, Lincoln Professional Life Penny and Lincoln Presidency Penny
2009-S Jefferson nickel
2009-S Roosevelt dime
Six 2009-S Quarters: DC quarter, Puerto Rico quarter, Guam quarter, American Samoa quarter, US Virgin Islands quarter and Northern Mariana Islands quarter
2009-S Kennedy half-dollar
2009-S Native American $1 Coin
Four 2009-S Presidential Dollar Coins: Harrison $1 Coin, Tyler $1 Coin, Polk Presidential $1 and Taylor Presidential $1

What are proof sets? As described by the Mint, they are:

"Proof coins are extraordinarily brilliant, with sharp relief and a mirror-like background. Their frosted, sculpted foregrounds give them a special cameo effect. Proof blanks are specially treated, polished and cleaned to ensure high-quality strikes. The blanks are then fed into presses fitted with specially polished dies and struck at least twice to ensure sharp relief."

2009 US Mint Silver Proof Set order information

No limits are in place and ordering is available directly on the US Mint page:

United States Mint 2009 Silver Proof Set™

Sets may also be purchased through the Mint’s toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468).

The Mint indicates domestic orders will include a $4.95 shipping and handling charge.

US Mint 18-coin 2009 Silver Proof Set