Comparative January U.S. Mint Bullion Sales

93754_SlabTINY

Bullion sales have been strong during the first weeks of 2016, though the numbers have normalized a bit since the week of January 11, which kicked off the new year with a bang. American Eagle Silver bullion coins have already sold 5,727,000 ounces this month, more than any month in 2015. That’s also within 63,000 pieces of 2014’s highest monthly total (5,790,000), a number that is likely to be surpassed tomorrow.

Being as 2014 and 2015 have the two highest-ever sales totals for Silver Eagle bullion coins, this January’s running start does seem to point to another pinnacle year. In combing through January bullion sales over the last five years, however, the fact emerges that big numbers out of the gate don’t necessarily predict how the Mint’s long term bullion production will play out.

For instance, 2013’s January total for ASE’s is the highest of the last six years by far, but 2013 had the second-lowest overall Silver Eagle production of this period, behind 2011. Gold Eagles, on the other hand, benefitted from 2013’s running start, selling more ounces that year than any other during this period, save 2011. Similarly, Gold Buffalos went on to sell more coins in 2013 than in any year on this chart, following a strong January start.

The following charts show January U.S. Mint bullion totals for 2011-2016; the 2016 numbers have been marked with an asterisk to indicate that sales for the month are not yet complete.

American Eagle Silver Ounces Sold in January 
2011 6,422,000
2012 6,107,000
2013 7,498,000
2014 4,775,000
2015 5,530,000
2016 5,727,000*

pm7_aTINY (1)

American Eagle Gold Ounces Sold in January
2011 133,500
2012 127,000
2013 150,000
2014 91,500
2015 81,000
2016 112,000*

84912_TINY

American Buffalo Gold Ounces Sold in January
2011 0
2012 13,500
2013 72,500
2014 41,500
2015 34,500
2016 30,000*
* as of 1/25/16



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Comments

  1. cagcrisp says

    2015 Platinum Proof. The same Seller is back selling BINs for under prevailing prices. He always list the Platinums as “Coin only”. Never shows photos with a capsule? Never mentions COAs? Never an Auction? Always hundreds Under prevailing prices?

    I dont know why he is leaving so much cash on the table.

    Gotta wonder…

  2. says

    This is just too darn good not to bring over from the previous thread:

    Mark says JANUARY 25, 2016 AT 6:26 PM –
    “I contacted NGC about the Early Release Cut Off date for the 2016-S proof clad quarters….Her first email response was “what you have these in your possession now”…..I replied yes, i received these from the U.S Mint before they pulled them because of the packaging error was discovered…..Her response “Mark let me look into that for you….I replied thank you….Her response “So, we haven’t established a cut off date yet. Once The Mint starts sending them out again, that’s when we will have a date…Also noticed PCGS does not list a First Strike cut off date, but the population reports show about 250 have been graded First Strike.”

    These TPG hawk these FS/ER dates and establish them as soon as the coins roll in, this epitomizes their utter lack of scruples to follow their own established policy to maximize revenue. Mark, I’ve dealt with both companies in the past, she on the phone should have had to ask, her asking on validates your gut feeling.

    The people the continue to feed into these labels need to wake up, you’re being taking to the cleaners. What a joke, thanks for sharing Mark

  3. says

    Someone once told me that label coins make ALL the money.., well, truth be told.., he was absolutely right!

    Here’s how labels are a Win/Win for everyone.

    Mint got their profit on the initial sale, TPGs got their profit, the dealer got his profit, eBay got their profit, USPS/UPS got theirs, Paypay.., yep, probably 3%profit AND Someone got a graded coin. Hmmmm.., Now the ONLY one that hasn’t gotten a profit yet are those that got that shiny label.., we’ll have to wait on that guy to catch up!

  4. mark says

    I think NGC should only label the first batch with their —FIRST RELEASE LABEL—NO EARLY RELEASE LABEL PERMITTED….oh no I may have just given them a money making ideal.

  5. Dustyroads says

    cagcrisp, Yes…gotta wonder for sure.
    BTW, Is it just me, or do you also feel that somethings gotta give very soon with oil? I have a fairly good sense of timing, and I had the feeling today that we are not far off from something, maybe upward?

  6. mark says

    Those platinum proofs that ebayer is giving away have major rim damage. Looks like they were dropped ….he doesn’t want to show the shattered capsules.

  7. cagcrisp says

    @Dustyroads, I’ve got some Long Underwater positions in oil. I traded Some oil in ’15 and made money on every trade. Oil at this level is Unsustainable for US companies and some Countries. Saudi Arabia has a Lot more problems internally than just whether they can make profit at this level. They Need to make a Lot more $$ or there could be another Arab Spring. The Saudi’s could change the entire oil equation overnight. They are making statements that they have not made in the past…

  8. Tyler says

    I pray to God oil goes up ANY way possible. Happy to pay for it at the pump.

    Receving 2016 silver eagles tomorrow as well as a couple Panda’s. If oil falls, at least that’ll cheer me up …some.

  9. Sith says

    @Mark – You were correct…Thank you!

    I’m wondering if we can hit 6 million ASEs this month. In the defense of the lower totals than 2013, the mint did not allocate its sales that January…it did run out of ASEs

  10. says

    Well, we are now officially inside of 4 weeks to the release of Shawnee National Forest 2016 Uncirculated Five Ounce Silver Coin.

    And yet I remain foolishly optimistic that we might, just might see a price drop.., “yeah right!” you say

    If past trends are any indicators, we should we the pricing adjustment or status quo confirmation via the FR by 12 February.., though this year has started off anything but normal

  11. says

    Shawnee BU Puck –

    When will the AP sell #’s show on the BU mintage page, the day of the quarter launch or as the first shipments are made?

  12. gary says

    @KCSO… I am wishing for a price drop on the ATB “P” 5 oz. silver but I don’t see it happening unless silver dropped to $10 or$11 per ounce in February. The Mint seems comfortable with sales in the 17K to 22K range and will get that with their current $149.95 pricing. If they seriously wanted to boost sales they should reinstate the $10 discount for subscribers or at least free shipping to subscribers.

  13. says

    First Spouse coins seem like they are being fired off in rapid secession early this year

    My gut tells me you’ll see a smaller upfront batch struck followed by a Back Order, then batches released systematically to demand so they’re not carrying Nixon & Ford for the year.

    Could Nixon & Ford go Currently Unavailable before Nancy in July?
    Why a 4 month gap between the first two and Nancy?
    What will the mint do to wrap up the FS program by the end of 2016?
    If I was the mint, I’d throw collectors a bone with a quick sell out of one of the three, you guys deserve it

  14. says

    Gary, I’m quite surprised the mint is leaving money on the table by not minting the full 65,000 across P’s & BU’s, though yes, $10 discount would be most helpful

  15. data dave says

    Well I received my 10 oz ebay/RCM bar yesterday and was disappointed that the number was 6046. I ordered first thing so thought I would receive a low number. Still looks nice and was a decent deal. Anybody get a lower number?

  16. says

    The New Frontier 3″ which has had a back in stock had of 1 April for quite a long time is…, well back in stock.

    Dave SW – I had dreams of shoveling that sunshine last night.., still snowed in and waiting on a lost snow plow to show any day now. The poor peeps arriving into Dulles are being shuttled out to their cars in long term parking only to be greeted by their cars covered in snow.., seriously, covered….& BYOS – Bring Your Own Shovel – what a mess! I hear waves crashing in my future!

  17. cagcrisp says

    IF I was the Mint I would Raise the price of the P pucks and announce 50k bullion and 15k P pucks and then I would Watch a One Hour Sell Out of the P pucks…

  18. mark says

    They are shipping those ebay bars starting with the highest serial number first…so the person who ordered the last one of first batch will get 000000001

  19. cagcrisp says

    My Guess the first 3000 or So went to non-purchaser.

    They are giving you a Good deal on the pricing, why should they give you a Low mintage number that Potentially would be worth something (Years and years down the road IF this is a game changer)?…

  20. cagcrisp says

    There is going to have to be something drastic happen in the Gold market in the next 30 hours for there NOT to be a Gold price increase tomorrow afternoon. Today’s AM fix was $1,114.70. 2 more averages just need to average $1,093.95 or above and Wednesday PM fix above $1,100.00…

  21. stephen m says

    @cagcrisp, off topic, since you have a good take on these things, where was all the coal going before spiraling downward? They claim CSX has a lot of empty coal cars and the lack of coal buying has put a crunch on the railroads. Thanks.

  22. Dave SW FL says

    KC&SO
    It’s been quite an unusual winter down here – summer temps through Dec. and then much mor rain than we are used to – thanks to El Niño 😡

    Chilly , too, but the nice weather seems to be here now, so COME ON DOWN!! as a certain game show host invites😎

    OT. There will be no price reduction on the P pucks…you can dream on, but there is no requirement to change the price and the mint is all about making money ( no pun intended) – uh, make that PROFIT. If buying dried up, then maybe they’d consider it, but there’s just too much demand for the series.

  23. says

    Apparently ‘Struck on Nails’ isn’t that uncommon after all….
    http://www.coinworld.com/videos/2016/01/monday-morning-brief-jan-18-2016.html

    stephen m – latest round of EPA regs has destroyed the coal industry, when in fact new scrubbers on current coal burning plants allow only a marginal amount of pollutants into the atmosphere – and yet there’s been no investment in nuclear energy and I believe it takes approximately 13 years to get a nuclear plant approved, built, tested, and on line – mark my words, rolling back out are a thing of the future for us on the east coast – it’s only going to take one unseasonably hot summer and we’ll think we’re in California with the black outs…

  24. So Krates says

    cagcrisp says – “They are giving you a Good deal on the pricing, why should they give you a Low mintage number that Potentially would be worth something (Years and years down the road IF this is a game changer)?…”

    What is the game changer? Silver bars at $1.50 over spot is business as usual.

    There is VERY LITTLE potential for these serial numbers to mean anything. The 10 oz silver bar market is dominated by bullion investors who with few exceptions refuse to pay extra for a special hallmark or number. That is the whole reason they are buying bars instead of coins. Maybe serial number 0001 might pull a few extra bucks. Look at the tons of Highland Mint silver sports rounds out there with limited edition numbers or Franklin Mint numbered rounds. No one cares what number they have. There are lots of 10 oz. bars with less than 5000 mintages that are not considered rare. It might be different if they were 1 ounce or 5 ounce because there are more collectors of those sizes. A 1 troy ounce RCM bar is collectible and brings a nice premium but the serial numbers really make no difference.

    So data dave, fret not about your number. I can almost guarantee #6046 will be worth the same as #0046 and #9946.

    Now if it was one of these bars, your number might matter:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RARE-11-07-T-OZ-HOMESTAKE-MINING-CO-1977-SILVER-BAR-999-FINE-4844-/262187592728?hash=item3d0b992c18:g:SOAAAOSwbdpWa4xM

  25. cagcrisp says

    @stephen m, Coal exports peaked in 2012 and has continued downward year/year ever since. Natural gas is currently close to a 15 year low. EPA has a Lot more restrictions on coal than nat gas, SO…. exports are down and current US usage of coal is down because of nat gas usage is gaining a larger portion of the electricity pie…

  26. cagcrisp says

    @stephen m, I used to buy natural gas strips when I was gainfully employed. The lowest strip I ever bought was an entire year in the late ’90s for $2.02 per MMBTU. The highest I ever bought was around $13.00 per MMBTU. Currently strips are in the mid $2.00 range.

    IF you buy a strip you are buying all the natural gas you need for a year at a set price. All you have to do is pay transportation through a pipeline. I have paid as much as $100k per week for natural gas.

    Great for budgeting purposes vs. buying spot pricing…

  27. cagcrisp says

    @Keep Calm & Stack On!, I remember Before California went dark that the Entire US was going to go Deregulation of Electricity. The natural gas industry was deregulated and you could not believe all the under the table deals I could have gotten if I had wanted. Entergy which is the big electricity player in Arkansas started wining and dining me and then California went dark….And all the talk about deregulation of electricity went south…

  28. So Krates says

    KCSO says “…latest round of EPA regs has destroyed the coal industry, when in fact new scrubbers on current coal burning plants allow only a MARGINAL amount of pollutants into the atmosphere…”

    You sound like a coal industry lobbyist. If that was true you should have no problem living directly downwind from a coal fired plant .

    “Some of the major sources of mercury pollution in the US include coal-fired power plants…Power plants are the largest source, emitting around 33 tons of mercury pollution in the US annually, and contributing to almost half of all mercury emissions…Across the United States, mercury pollution has contaminated 18 million acres of lakes, estuaries, and wetlands (43 percent of the total), and 1.4 million river miles. From 2006 to 2008, the number of lake acres under advisory increased by 18 percent, and the number of river miles increased by 52 percent. And many waterways have not even been tested. In 2008, all 50 states issued fish consumption advisories, warning citizens to limit how often they eat certain types of fish caught in the state’s waters because they are contaminated with mercury.”

  29. data dave says

    Actually I didn’t think the ebay 10 oz bar number really mattered, I was just sharing the information. I agree with the comment that 10 oz bars are strictly bullion investments and will not have collectible value (like the 5 oz pucks might). I take back my comments about any “game changer” here because it looks like they will not maintain a set mark up and because it looks like with a little shopping similar premiums can be had elsewhere. Funny thing is there are a couple of ebay flippers trying to sell the bars for upwards of $200 each, while you can get them from the source (on ebay) for $165.

  30. David says

    I think if I were to ever buy silver bullion again, I think the dateless RCM 10oz bars are the way to go. Bullion is bullion and I don’t want collector value to increase the premiums that I would have to pay buying dated bullion coins. Plus I like the fact the RCM bars are produced by an official government body (Canada) rather than a private minting firm.

  31. Ralph says

    Seems baypreciousmetals might be a little overwhelmed shipping out all their orders for the 10oz bars. The 5 I ordered on 1/23 haven’t shipped yet.Interested in seeing what numbers I receive. I bought after the first price increase. Nice to see it higher now.
    See silver inching up today.
    How likely is silver to drop to $10 or $11?

  32. Sith says

    @data dave – I agree with David’s comment above. IMHO even if this is temporary I think RCM bars produced at the lower price is a game changer. When I go to sell my bullion or heaven forbid use it as barter, it should be a lot easier for me if it was made by an official government body.

    As far a bullion bars, on one hand we are told nobody pays a premium for them, and that comment is immediately followed by demonstrating someone paying what I would consider an outlandish price for one. I’m ignorant about 10 oz bars so I have no clue what criteria is used to go from I’m not willing to paying a premium to I’m willing to paying an outlandish premium to get it, but I’m pretty sure if someone was willing to pay even a modest premium on the Ebay bars in 30 years it should be a win.

  33. Sith says

    @Ralph – How likely is silver to drop to $10 or $11?

    Based on what? Technical and fundamental analysis say its going up, but that information is worthless. IMHO opinion it depends on how the HFTs are playing this movement, and if the “speculators” decide to go long or continue to short.

  34. IPS_STUFF says

    @cagcrisp

    Can you tell me last time we had Metals up, Markets up & Oil up in the same day?

    Seems like an anomaly, similar too invalid packaging.

  35. cagcrisp says

    @Sith, I was the first one to use the ‘game changer’ for the eBay RCM silvers. The new Medium for Selling is the bay. Like it or not it is a fact. Knowing that eBay has it’s name on the bar at least gives another level of “what if ?”.

    Let’s just say in the Future and you are a Seller than eBay give preference to ‘their bars’ or possibly when you list the “Best Match” is ‘their coin’. There is just SO much more eBay can do IF they choose.

    I have noticed that Since eBay put the Silvers and Golds out that when you go to the APMEX site The First two Ads are for Bullion Gold and Bullion Silver …..SO Yes it Currently is a game changer whether it is for price or not. It’s hurting APMEX or they wouldn’t be leading with those ads…

  36. cagcrisp says

    @IPS_STUFF, I would Agree. Last Friday when Oil was up 5% the largest % gainers on the stock exchange were the Airlines and the Cruise ships. Airlines and Cruise ships UP when Oil is UP 5%? Seems strange but you look at why and it’s not as difficult. Everything hinges on Oil. IF Oil continues Down then the US economy goes Down and we could go in a recession. IF Oil stabilizes or goes up then the world economy is improving and that would be Overall beneficial for Airlines and Cruise ships.

    SO yes, Oil and PM’s can both move up but for the reason that the Whole World economy would benefit from higher oil prices…

  37. data dave says

    At this point I think the downside risk in silver is less than the downside risk in the stock market. If China keeps slowing (imploding?) we could see both go down and maybe $10 to $11 silver, but I would think the market might fall more. Of course no one really can know so as has been said here before, don’t go chasing something. Right now I sense there is a core group of silver buyers who are merely trying to balance the economic risks that exist in the market. If I were in China, I would be buying even more PM to offset potential capital controls.

    I actually hope the that markets will thrive, economic growth will return and we will grow ourselves out of the debt hole we have made. In that case silver might go down to $5 per ounce as people lose their interest. But if things don’t turn out so well, having some cash and PMs might help ease the pain.

  38. So Krates says

    What am I missing?

    The FeeBay Perth Gold Bar is $70+ over spot while you can get the same bar sans logo at APMEX for around $30 over spot. I’d rather have an eagle or buffalo if I’m paying $70+.

    The FeeBay silver bar is $2.18 over spot now. I can’t get that excited about bullion at 15% over.

    The RCM and Perth Mint have been minting bars for decades

  39. cagcrisp says

    The Same Seller that has Dumped Eisenhower’s before is BACK. At some point surely they will run out of Eisenhower’s…

  40. So Krates says

    Really not trying to bash these bars. I tend to prefer mine without the seller on them (don’t like APMEX branded bars either) but these are just fine. I do like the reeded edge on the silvers. I’m just very skeptical when the spread grows on common bullion products. I just can’t see getting the extra back at selling time. I concentrate on the spread not just the premium over spot. If I can buy an A-Mark or NTR bar at $.69 over and sell for $.50 under spot or I buy this FleaBay bar for $2.18 over and sell for $.50 under that is a significant difference in a bullion product. You’d be better of with ASEs with about a $2 spread (buy $1.50/oz over spot – sell $3.50/oz over spot) and more liquidity.

    One or two is cool! Of course, buy what you like… but 10+ bars as a low cost bullion option? just think you could do better without much effort.

  41. Larry says

    @ cagcrisp – my understanding is that oil is going down because the USA went from about 4 million barrels/day to 9 million and Saudi Arabia is trying to pump Iran out of the oil market. So there is a glut of oil not because the economy is bad, but because we are pumping enough to make a glut.
    I can’t see how cheap oil is bad for economy in the long run. I think in six months or so we will see the effect of cheap oil and the economy should thrive.
    Cheap energy is what drives the economy. We haven’t seen it yet I think because folks haven’t really begun to spend all the money they are saving. I think they will, but it will take a while, that is where the six month lag comes from. So I am looking for a big improvement in the second half of 2016.

  42. David says

    I was just browsing eBay and I thought those eBay bars were interesting. Those must have just came out? But anyways, a lot of these silver listings have quite a bit of premium being charged in relation of current spot prices. Bay Precious Metals has the RCM 10oz bar listed for $171.35 and the current spot price is $14.51 x 10oz = $145.10 melt value. Seems nearly impossible to get government issued bullion close to spot.

  43. Yes, But...You Can't Take It With You. says

    So Krates: It’s interesting that you didn’t give a source for your citation on the Evils of Big Coal. Care to share?

  44. Old Big Bird says

    Just looked at the US Mint web site and sometime today they finally posted some pricing.
    Native American P &D rolls, Nixon P & D rolls and ATB rolls. Of course they have yet to respond
    to any of my three emails. Their pricing stops at 02/15/16 items.

  45. So Krates says

    @ Yes, But… – The quote was lifted from the NRDC website. No time now to get into the MANY Evils of Big Coal – just simple stats about mercury and fish. Are you disputing the contents of the quote?

    “In February 1998, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 1998a, b) issued a report citing mercury emissions from electric utilities as the largest remaining anthropogenic source of mercury released to the air. EPA officials estimated that about 50 tons of elemental mercury are emitted each year from U.S. coal-burning powerplants, with lesser amounts coming from oil- and gas-burning units. According to EPA estimates, emissions from coal-fired utilities account for 13 to 26 percent of the total (natural plus anthropogenic) airborne emissions of mercury in the United States.

    Methylmercury enters the food chain, particularly in aquatic organisms, and bioaccumulates. Bioaccumulation is the enrichment of a substance in an organism and includes bioconcentration from environmental concentrations and additional uptake via the food chain. Cases of mercury poisoning have been documented in people who eat contaminated fish for prolonged periods, both in the United States and abroad. Pregnant women and subsistence fishermen are particularly vulnerable. Because high levels of mercury have been detected in fish, many U.S. States have issued advisories that restrict fishing.

    Reduction in mercury emissions from U.S.coal-fired power plants may help minimize or avoid health problems caused by exposure to excess mercury.” – USGS Fact Sheet FS-095-01
    September 2001

  46. Ikaika says

    Also received my Bay/RCM 10 oz bar today. Purchased well before reached 3000. Received number 7000+. That reminds me of the first strike labels. For the fools 🙂

  47. Yes, But...You Can't Take It With You. says

    So Krates: That’s comforting. There is obviously no bias in the NRDC agenda. They are only about Truth, Justice and the American Way.

    I wonder, what kind of comparison stats can you come up with for the dangers of mercury as found in the florescent light bulbs which have been (de facto) forced upon us by those of the NRDC persuasion?

  48. So Krates says

    @ Yes, But – Since I asked specifically if you were disputing the contents of the quote and you answered by questioning the source, it is clear that truth is not your priority.

  49. Yes, But...You Can't Take It With You. says

    So Krates: Perhaps the Truth can best be found sometimes not by quoting the “experts”, but in comparing and contrasting their statements and behavior in related areas. For instance, coal vs. florescent lighting.

    When the Mint makes a “statement” regarding it’s poor performance, you don’t see many rushing to re-quote their spokesperson as if to prove that they didn’t make a mistake.

  50. So Krates says

    The NRDC position on phasing out 140 year old inefficient lighting technology will tell me zero about the extent of mercury emitted by coal fired utilities.

  51. Yes, But...You Can't Take It With You. says

    So Krates: But it may tell you something about the trustworthiness of the organization.

  52. So Krates says

    @ Yes, But… – I get your point. I know very little about the organization. I will assume what I think you are trying to say is true. I think you are trying to present contradictory positions they hold. I will play along…

    Let’s assume they are in favor of less mercury emitted through coal burning utilities AND they are in favor of CFL lighting replacing incandescent. Let’s assume they are wrong in their cost benefit analysis of the lighting issue. Let’s say one of their board members has a conflict because of an investment she has in a CFL company that would benefit from proposed legislation, whatever the worst case may be…. It doesn’t necessarily follow that coal fired plants should continue to emit at current rates or expand. If the new bulbs are worse (don’t think they are), it changes nothing about trying to reduce mercury from coal burning. Are you in favor of LESS regulation of coal emissions and MORE suggested restrictions on eating fish?

    We cannot let the Perfect be the enemy of the Good.

  53. Yes, But...You Can't Take It With You. says

    So Krates: Fair enough.

    I went down this road with you because you were responding to a post by KCSO which stated that the “…latest round of EPA regs has destroyed the coal industry, when in fact new scrubbers on current coal burning plants allow only a MARGINAL amount of pollutants into the atmosphere…” To simply quote a contrary position does not establish anything, particularly if it comes from an organization with an obvious ax to grind.

    To answer your question directly, I am distrustful of the political agenda behind the regulations, both for coal burning and fish consumption.

  54. So Krates says

    I have a hard time understanding why someone wouldn’t want (at least in principle) cleaner air and water.

  55. Goat says

    Money might be a evil ? Status of one self in the economy of people ? Luxury ? All for a terriable death of our children and grandchildren or maybe ones self , Yes the question is WHY .

  56. Yes, But...You Can't Take It With You. says

    So Krates wrote: “I have a hard time understanding why someone wouldn’t want (at least in principle) cleaner air and water.”

    Well, you caught me red-handed. Totally busted. Yes, I admit it – I don’t want cleaner air and water. 🙁

    C’mon, So Krates, that’s a terrible response. A compete non-sequitur. Because someone questions the agenda behind a particular viewpoint it means that he doesn’t care about outcomes? Do you ever go anywhere in gas-powered vehicle? Don’t you care about cleaner air?

    The point is that IF it is true as KC&SO wrote that “…in fact new scrubbers on current coal burning plants allow only a MARGINAL amount of pollutants into the atmosphere…” then perhaps we are already doing enough towards clean air and water. In fact, it could be that we are doing more than enough and there are other factors at play in pressuring coal plants to close down.

    If we are both seeking the truth, why would you try to shut down the conversation with the suggestion that “I don’t care…”?

  57. So Krates says

    @ Yes But – I asked if you believe coal emission regulations need to be lessened. You refused to say no and said you were suspect of the regulations.

    @ DR – The Court only said the EPA needed to consider certain costs when making certain determinations. They already went back and supplemented the findings and after considering the costs came to the same conclusions.

    The fact that you can’t safely eat a bunch of fish from the brook if you’re pregnant is NOT MARGINAL.

    Pay now or Pay later. All the smart folks know better, there is NO FREE LUNCH

  58. Erik H says

    David, I too like the RCM bars (with or without the eBay logo). As you said, they are produced by a gov. They have a few added security features, serial numbers and they are .9999 fine not .999.

    While most places have fixed buy/ sell prices, eBay can bring higher premiums to bars / rounds that are more desirable.

  59. Jerry Diekmann says

    cagcrisp – you are usually right on with your analyses, but I’m old enough to remember when OPEC started charging more and more in the fall of 1973, gas prices doubled, tripled, quadrupled, and still went up. Christmas was dark that year – lights were frowned on as being too costly, and we were treated to a 55mph speed limit which lasted for many years. Long lines formed to buy gas, and the name “service” in service station was gone forever. We had a bad recession in 1974, Ford was incompetent in handling anything foreign or domestic, and then followed very high interest rates (the prime hit over 20%!), and the economy and the Iran hostage crisis meant that Ford’s successor, Jimmy Carter’s chance for a second term became burnt toast. The 1970s were a pretty crappy decade – they should be remembered for more than disco and “the decade that taste forgot”. Gas prices as a % of Americans’ income is higher now than before the Arab embargo. The only costs that I can think of that have outpaced the rise in gas is PM, health & medical, and higher education costs. The oil crisis in the 1970s (again in 1979) has resulted in a lower standard of living for many Americans. I don’t feel sorry for Exxon, Chevron, Shell, or BP.

  60. Tinto says

    For anyone interested, I was just browsing the Mint’s website and they’ve scheduled the MT silver coins for sale on Feb 1. Gonna get me one each of the proof and unc.

  61. tP says

    I think the part most people don’t get in regards to the oil prices… higher priced oil to an established company – simply means more competition for the profits. $100 a barrel for oil is almost all profit to them, but it is profitable enough for smaller companies to start fracking new wells in the US. $30 a barrel of oil is still mostly profit to the established companies and kills the start up companies.

    While the rest of us sit on the sidelines… big oil is trying to kill the only competition it has and the only effect it has on them short term or long term is a limited profit margin for the duration. They aren’t leaving oil priced low out of kindness – they are sharks in the water – looking for the kill. Oil will go back to plus $100 a barrel when they know that there is no one but them than can collect on the profits.

  62. cagcrisp says

    @ Tinto, Good catch on the Silver Twains. It’s amazing that there will be Launch on Monday and no publication has broken the news yet. Seems like there is Total disdain from the Mints part regarding commemoratives….

  63. says

    jhawk92 – good deal! I think’n it’ll be a real nice addition to whatever we may get in 3 years, esp. If it’s a much bigger or HR Comm.

    Tinto – good catch, that must have just happened

  64. cagcrisp says

    Lou Hoover Gold proof Down to 70. Come on Guys get ’em while they’re Not.
    Price increase is bringing out the buyers…

  65. says

    Cag, there appears to be total disconnects across the board WRT the numismatic offerings.., release dates, general communication, inconsistent stories or excuses, etc., yeah mistakes happen, though communicate good news and positive changes.., yet nothing!

    You know what they say about Leadership.., it starts at the Top.

  66. cagcrisp says

    When the Fed speaks today, I could sure use some Softening on the Hawkish Tone. I was always in the 1 and done camp, not the rediculous 4 that they are sticking with. ANY Dovish tone and the market will react Positively. ( More Hawkish and the market will Sell Off)…

  67. Sith says

    @cagcrisp – My bad I don’t read every thread\post. I had not thought about the other repercussions. Thank you for the insight

  68. stephen m says

    I think the low oil prices will be around for a while. $100 a barrel oil wasn’t anything but greed. Competition and more oil coming out of the ground should keep the price low for sometime I would think. Thanks everyone.

  69. Zaz says

    Yippie about the silver Twains released next Monday. I’m counting on getting one of each, it’s a decent design that gives a pretty good indication of the man’s fame without any text whatsoever. Didn’t wait for the gold proof though, ordered yesterday even though on back order. I’ll call the center on Monday and see if I can add the two silver coins to the order. Least they could say is no, you need to generate a new order.

  70. says

    So Krates said:
    … The fact that you can’t safely eat a bunch of fish from the brook if you’re pregnant is NOT MARGINAL.

    You might want to check out the EPA’s science behind that claim. Just follow the top link to the WSJ op-ed found here.

  71. So Krates says

    @ DR – Instead of impeaching the source as biased (the WSJ op ed page is pro-business), I will address the issue sin the article. There was no dispute that mercury is spewed from coal-fired plants, The author’s argument is that it is a low percentage of worldwide airborne mercury and ince mercury can stay suspended for long distances, it might land on other countries not necessarily on US soil or water. So what? We live on an increasingly small planet. Our atmosphere and oceans are not ours and theirs, they are shared.

    When related to fish, he offers no argument that current mercury levels in waterways and fish is safe. The author only nitpicks that the EPA exaggerates how much an average pregnant women in Wisconsin eats and future wage losses caused by lowered IQs is really not that much. Again, so what? This nasty stuff accumulates in the body. If only two fish a month is OK, I don’t want any fish per month.

    I dislike big government but there is no other entity to protect my air and water from polluters.

  72. gary says

    @So Krates… I know it won’t happen on this planet, but IF I had my way all coal would stay in the ground where it properly belongs.
    I live in Maine where mercury IS present in all streams, ponds and lakes. The two fish per month equals no fish per month for me. If I did eat any brook trout that I caught they would be only ones just over the legal size.

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