Costco Adds Platinum Bullion Amidst Double-Digit Gold Sales

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Costco Gold Bullion on Display in a Warehouse Location

Costco reported a modest 1.0% increase in net sales for its fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, reaching $78.2 billion. According to a report from Kitco, Costco’s gold bullion sales have become a significant driver of its online sales, with reports of double-digit increases in gold sales over the past three months.

The growth is notable, especially given the competitive retail environment, and suggests that consumer interest in gold remains robust despite rising prices.

Costco’s CFO noted that gold has been a “meaningful tailwind” for e-commerce sales, indicating that the popularity of gold bullion is helping to bolster online revenue. The rapid sell-out of online bullion products further highlights this trend.

Analysts are closely monitoring Costco’s gold sales, with some suggesting that the company could explore private-label gold products in the future. While no such plans exist, the interest reflects this segment’s growth potential.

Costco’s collaboration to offer the Gold Maple Leaf Single Mine bullion coin is a strategic move to attract members interested in unique and collectible bullion products, further enhancing its market appeal.

Costco Gold Maple Leaf in Assay Card
Costco’s Maple Leaf Gold Coin in Assay Card

Despite gold prices exceeding $2,600 an ounce, analysts from Wall Street banks expect demand for physical bullion to remain strong. Higher prices can historically deter retail buyers, but the current environment suggests that many investors prioritize physical gold holdings as a haven amid economic uncertainty.

A major retailer like Costco selling precious metals reflects a broader interest in alternative investments due to current economic conditions. Gold prices have risen, with expectations for continued growth due to factors like additional interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Silver, while not as dramatic in price increase, also showed growth.

Analysts like Joseph Cavatoni from the World Gold Council observe a strong demand in the investment category, reinforcing that investors increasingly turn to physical gold as part of their asset allocation.

Costco Platinum Bars

Following the success of their gold and silver offerings, Costco has added the PAMP Suisse 1 oz Platinum bar to its product lineup.

PAMP Lady Fortuna 1 oz Platinum Bar
PAMP Lady Fortuna 1 oz Platinum Bar

While the Platinum Bars are available online and in some physical stores, there are limitations. Some states, such as Nevada and Louisiana, restrict certain products, so precious metals are only available in some parts of the country.
Also, buying precious metals at Costco requires a membership. While some Executive members have reported combining special offers with cash-back rewards and racking up rebates, these PAMP Platinum Bars are limited to one per member.

Lady Fortuna Platinum Bars

PAMP Lady Fortuna Platinum Bars are among the most popular and sought-after platinum bullion products in the precious metals market. Produced in Switzerland, investors seek PAMP Platinum Bars for their purity and craftsmanship. The Lady Fortuna design features the goddess wearing a blindfold and holding a cornucopia that pours out riches, symbolizing the unpredictability and abundance of fortune.

Fractional Platinum Bars Available From PAMP Suisse

While Costco sells only the 1 troy ounce bar, Lady Fortuna Platinum Bars are available from online bullion dealers in an assortment of sizes, making them accessible to a wide range of investors.

PAMP Suise 5 Gram Platinum Bar
Lady Fortuna 5 gram Platinum Bar

The most common sizes include:

Each is stamped with its weight, purity, and unique serial number. The PAMP brand name ensures quality with its proprietary VeriScan™ technology, which allows buyers to verify the authenticity of the bars using a digital fingerprint stored in PAMP’s database.

Costco vs Online Bullion Dealers

While Costco offers the convenience of buying precious metals while shopping for toilet paper and other essentials, they provide a minimal selection compared to specialized dealers.

During their online flash sales, the prices of gold bars and coins are often competitive against specialty precious metals dealers. However, in-warehouse pricing is much less competitive due to the static nature of retail pricing.

Online dealers specializing in precious metals offer a greater selection of Lady Fortuna platinum bars and are more competitively priced, using live market conditions.

It’s essential to compare prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

Costco’s reported gold sales reflect the robust demand for precious metals, indicating a strong and possibly sustained interest in physical bullion despite high prices.

2025 American Eagle Pre-Sales

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As the year draws to a close, pre-sales of 2025 American Eagle will be starting in the coming weeks underway and dealers updating their websites to accommodate the release.

In the past, precious metals dealers have begun pre-sales for the 2025 American Silver and Gold Eagles during the month of October.

These pre-sales allow investors to lock in prices before the coins are even available, ensuring they don’t miss out on the early releases. While the coins themselves are not expected to ship from the U.S. Mint until the first half of January 2025, many buyers take advantage of pre-sales to lock-in the price and guarantee that they will receive their coins as soon as they are minted and distributed.

U.S. Mint 2025 American Silver Eagle

As some of the most recognizable and trusted coins in the world, American Silver Eagles (1 oz of .999 fine silver) and American Gold Eagles (offered in 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz of 22-karat gold) are the go-to options for many investors looking for physical bullion. The rumors circulating that Costco may be permanently incorporating precious metals into their product line only help spread that recognition further.

Annual Changes

The release of the 2025 coins marks the beginning of a new production cycle for the U.S. Mint. Near the end of each year, the U.S. Mint ceases minting the current year’s coins. This pause allows for crucial equipment maintenance, as well as the replacement of dies that are used to strike the new year’s coins.

During this period, market availability of current-year coins can become scarce, leading to increases in premiums. Typically, secondary market or random-year Silver Eagles will have the lowest premiums.

What to Expect from the 2025 American Eagle Coins

U.S. Mint 2025 American Gold Eagle Obverse
2025 American Gold Eagle Obverse

While the designs of the American Silver Eagle and American Gold Eagle have remained largely unchanged since the 2021 design refresh.

Both coins are known for their patriotic designs, premium minting quality, and, of course, their precious metal content. Investors will find the 2025 American Eagles to be no different—an attractive investment that combines artistry with intrinsic value.

Dealers Prepare for Strong Demand

With gold and silver prices hitting record highs week and week, dealers are anticipating strong demand. Early buyers should quickly secure their coins at market prices when they become available for sale.

During periods of strong market demand, the current-year American Eagles tend to sell out quickly, as was the case during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With prices now hitting new highs, a similar scenario could unfold, especially as more investors seek out tangible assets like gold and silver to protect against inflation and economic instability.

Many dealers offer special pre-order pricing, incentivizing those eager to add the 2025 coins to their portfolios before they hit the broader market.

January 2025: Shipping Begins

While pre-sales are beginning now, investors will need to wait until January 2025 for the coins to officially ship from the U.S. Mint. The Mint has historically fulfilled orders during the first half of January, ensuring that investors receive their new coins shortly after the new year begins. With pre-sales orders secured, many buyers can expect to see their 2025 American Eagles arrive shortly after the Mint starts shipping.

As demand for physical bullion remains strong, the annual release of the American Silver Eagle and American Gold Eagle coins is a great opportunity to add precious metals to a portfolio with prices locked at the time you place your order.

If you’re considering adding the 2025 American Eagles to your portfolio, now is the time to explore pre-sale opportunities and secure your position before the rush begins in January.

U.S. Mint Authorized Purchasers

U.S. Mint Authorized Purchasers are a select group of companies or dealers that are officially approved by the U.S. Mint to purchase bullion coins directly from the Mint in bulk.

These Authorized Purchasers (APs) serve as wholesalers between the U.S. Mint and the general public, helping distribute coins like the American Silver Eagle, American Gold Eagle, American Platinum Eagle, and other bullion products to the retail market.

APs distribute these coins to other wholesalers and distributors, retailers, precious metals dealers, and, in some cases, directly to the public. This network ensures that U.S. Mint bullion products are widely available in both domestic and international markets.

Becoming a U.S. Mint Authorized Purchaser involves meeting stringent criteria set by the Mint. Such as financial standards to ensure they have the capacity to buy and distribute large quantities of bullion.

Some Examples of U.S. Mint Authorized Purchasers:

Comparing the American Gold Eagle vs American Gold Buffalo

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The U.S. Mint’s responsibility for issuing investment-grade bullion coins began with the passage of the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, which led to the production and release of the American Eagle series in 1986. These coins are designed to provide a trusted store of value and wealth for investors.

Today, the Gold Eagle and Gold Buffalo are the two gold bullion coins produced by the U.S. Mint. While both coins are esteemed for their purity and craftsmanship, they have distinct features that appeal to different types of investors and collectors.

American Gold Eagle

The American Gold Eagle was established by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 to provide a trusted investment vehicle for precious metals. The first Gold Eagle was released in 1986.

1 oz Gold Eagle Type-2 Reverse

The 1 oz Gold Eagle coin contains one full troy ounce of gold. The coin itself is minted with 22k, or 91.67% gold, with the remainder comprised of a mix of silver and copper. The alloyed composition makes it more resistant to scratches and dents, ideal for handling and storage.

The obverse design features Lady Liberty holding a torch and olive branch. The design was created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and was originally used on the $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle from 1907 until 1933.

The reverse of design of coins minted until the middle of 2001 depicts a family of eagles that was designed by Miley Busiek.

Partway through the 2001 mintage year, a new design featuring the head of a bald eagle that was created by designer Jennie Norris.

Gold Eagle Premiums and Liquidity

The longer history and extensive production have made it a staple in the bullion market with investors.

When buying, Gold Eagles typically carry a lower premium over the spot price of gold compared to the Gold Buffalo due to its 22k composition and wider availability.

The Gold Eagle is a highly recognized and traded globally, making it a very liquid asset. When selling, dealers will often offer a small premium over spot price during normal market conditions.

Approved for inclusion in Precious Metals IRAs.

American Gold Buffalo

The American Gold Buffalo was authorized by the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 with the first issue available in 2006.

Although newer, it quickly gained popularity with investors seeking the highest quality 24k gold.

Gold Buffalo

The overall design is based on the 1913 Buffalo Nickel, designed by James Earle Fraser. The obverse features a profile of a Native American chief.

While the reverse features a depiction of an American bison, also designed by Fraser.

Gold Buffalo Premiums and Liquidity

When buying a Gold Buffalo coin, it is common to find that these carry a higher premium over the spot price of gold due to its pure gold content, collectible design and lower annual mintages.

These coins are also highly recognized and traded in the secondary bullion markets, though slightly less liquid than the Gold Eagle due to its newer introduction. When selling to a bullion dealer or coin store, it is common to receive an offer that is priced slightly above melt value under normal market conditions.

Approved for inclusion in Precious Metals IRAs.

.999 vs .9999 fine

Both the American Gold Eagle and the American Gold Buffalo are excellent choices for gold investors and collectors, each with unique attributes.

Aside from the design, the primary difference between the coins is the difference in the purity of the gold.

The Gold Eagle, with its historical design and durable composition, is ideal for those seeking a robust and widely recognized investment.

While each contain a full 1 troy ounce of fine gold, due to the inclusion of the copper and silver, the American Eagle is 22k gold, or 91.67% with an overall weight of 1.0909 troy ounces.

The Gold Buffalo was created due to investor demand for 24k gold coins, such as the Canadian Maple Leaf or the British Britannia, and appeals to purists and collectors who value its 24k gold purity and classic American design.

Availability

The US Mint manufacturers bullion coins based on monthly sales demand. This just in time, mint on demand model, has become common in government minting operations as a way to keep manufacturing costs low.

The American Gold Eagle is more popular with investors due great awareness because of its long mintage history. Monthly sales figures show that more investors buy American Gold Eagle coins, with an average of 18,000 coins for the 1 oz denomination, with even larger amounts in some of the fractional sizes such as the 1/10 oz and 1/4 oz coins.

Monthly sales figures for the American Gold Buffalo average around 14,500 coins.

Both of these coins are backed by the US Mint. Current year coins are readily available from online bullion dealers and coin stores throughout the country. It is important to note that when shopping for gold coins, the dealer premiums on current year coins are typically higher than those in the secondary market, due to premium increases from the US Mint.

Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on individual preferences regarding purity, design, and investment goals. Whether you prefer the historical significance and durability of the Gold Eagle or the pure, high-quality gold of the Gold Buffalo, both coins represent a valuable addition to any investment portfolio.

US Mint Coin Sales Surge in June

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US Mint sales reports show a sharp increase American Eagle gold coins in June.

According to reports, the US Mint sold 26,000 1 oz gold eagles, a 33% increase over the May bullion sales of 19,500 coins.

Sales of 1/10 oz American Eagle gold coins were up roughly 29%, with 36,000 sold compared with 26,500 the previous months.

Sales remain strong for the American Gold Buffalo, with mint reports showing 18,000 1 oz bullion coins sold during June.

US Mint Gold Coin Demand

The US Mint uses a “just in time” method of manufacturing when issuing gold coins. Gold coins are minted based on monthly sales demand from investors. The Mint provides monthly sales reports that show the total number of coins minted in each of the standard denominations.

How do the prices of Costco Silver and Gold Coins Compare to Online Bullion Dealers?

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Costco Gold Bullion on Display in a Warehouse Location

In a move that caters to the growing interest among consumers, Costco has broadened its selection of precious metals, introducing an array of new coins and bars to cater to the growing interest in tangible assets. The addition includes a variety of gold and silver coins and bars from renowned mints around the world, making it easier for members to diversify their investment portfolios.

The new lineup features investment-grade bullion coins such as the American Gold Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, along with various sizes of gold bars from PAMP Suisse and the RAND Refinery. These offerings are tailored to both seasoned investors and those new to precious metals, providing competitive pricing that aligns with Costco’s commitment to value.

Costco is able to leverage its membership model to offer competitive pricing on precious metals, while providing members with Cash Back rewards that can be accrued alongside credit card rewards. This combination is helping to undercut traditional coin dealers or precious metals retailers.

The coin offerings have included both gold and silver coins from the US Mint and the Royal Canadian Mint. This move by Costco follows a broader trend that reflects a mainstream acceptance and interest in precious metals as both an investment and long term store of value.

US Mint

The US Mint began minting bullion coins for investors in 1986 after the passage of the Liberty Coin Act. Along with the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, these two laws require the U.S. Mint to produce and sell the American Gold Eagle and the American Silver Eagle in both bullion and proof finishes in sufficient quantities to meet demand from investors and collectors.

The coins are issued as a vehicle to provide consumers with a trusted tangible asset. At the time of the introduction, the economy was in recovery from a recession that was triggered by increases in oil prices by OPEC starting around 1979 and dragged on until 1982. In the first two years of minting, more than 16,835,340 Silver Eagle coins were sold.

US Mint Gold Coins

The most popular gold coins from the U.S. Mint are the American Gold Eagle and the American Gold Buffalo. These coins are significant to investors for their gold content, legal tender status, historical and aesthetic appeal. Both coins are backed by the U.S. government, ensuring their gold content and purity.

They are both highly recognized and traded worldwide, providing liquidity to investors looking for a tangible asset.

2024 1 oz American Buffalo Gold Coin

The American Gold Buffalo was first issued in 2006 as the U.S. Mint’s answer to pure gold bullion coins like the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf. It is the first 24-karat gold coin from the U.S. Mint.

It features the classic design of the Indian Head nickel or Buffalo nickel, with an image of a Native American on the obverse and an American buffalo on the reverse, both designed by James Earle Fraser.

The Gold Buffalo is 99.99% gold (24 karats), and has a face value of $50 and is also recognized as U.S. legal tender.

One of the most recent times that the Gold Buffalo was in stock, it was priced at $2099.99. At the time, the gold spot price was trading around $2049, indicating only a $50 markup or roughly 2.5% dealer premium. Normal dealer premiums typically range from around 4% to 10% above the spot gold price. While the Costco price beats out the national bullion dealers, the gold coins have typically sold out within an hour or two as experienced investors pounce on these deals.

Costco Product Page: Item #1799474


2024 1 oz American Gold Eagle Coin

Introduced in 1986, the American Gold Eagle is available from bullion dealers in four sizes: 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz. However, only the 1 oz Gold Eagle is available from Costco, making this offer limited to investors with a larger budget.

The US Mint provides investors with fractional gold coins that allow for investors having more modest budgets to invest in a long-term store of value and wealth. This variety allows investors to choose based on their budget and investment strategy.

Costco offered the 1 oz Gold Eagle in late February with a price of $2,089.99 with each member limited to just two coins. That day, the spot gold price closed at $2,036.00 per ounce, a dealer premium of $53.99 per ounce or slightly higher than 2.5%.

Typical dealer premiums on current year gold eagles range from as low as 3.5% to around 8%. When Costco Gold Eagles are available for purchase, they are typically sold out within an hour or two. The addition of the Membership Rewards for their Executive Members offers an additional 2% cash back that can later be used on future Costco purchases, including precious metals.

Costco Product Page: Item #1804545


US Mint American Eagle Silver Coins

2024 1 oz American Silver Eagle Tube of 20 Coins

The American Silver Eagle is a one-ounce silver bullion coin issued annually by the United States Mint since 1986. A standard mint tube of Silver Eagle coins usually contains 20 coins. Each coin is one troy ounce of .999 fine silver. The coins are packed tightly in a tube to prevent movement and reduce the risk of scratching or damage during shipping.

Tubes of Silver Eagle coins are made available for sale periodically. The availability of Silver Eagle coins from Costco is limited and the pricing is typically similar to other online bullion dealers. It’s important to compare prices of Tubes of Silver Eagle Coins before making a purchase.

Costco Product Page: Item #1789494

2023 1 oz American Silver Eagle Tube of 20 Coins

Costco Product Page: Item #1799373


Royal Canadian Mint

Founded in 1908, the Royal Canadian Mint has established a global reputation for its innovative coin designs, high-quality craftsmanship, and advanced security features

The RCM is a prestigious institution, producing high-quality, pure gold and silver coins, with the Canadian Gold and Silver Maple Leafs being their flagship products. These coins are widely recognized in international markets and are considered to be a highly liquid investment.

Canadian Maple Leaf Silver Coins

2024 1 oz Canadian Maple Leaf Silver Coin Tube of 25 Coins

Maple Leaf silver coins are our Northern neighbors’ equivalent to the Silver Eagle and are suitable as an investment or store of value. The key advantages that Maple Leaf silver coins have over the Silver Eagle are:

  • .9999 Purity – The Silver Maple Leaf boasts a .9999 fine silver purity. While some investors prefer the four-nines purity, the extra nine does not add any extra value in today’s market.
  • Design and Recognition – The 2024 issue carries the King Charles’ profile on the obverse, while the iconic sugar maple leaf design is featured on the reverse. This classic reverse design has been minted annually since 1988 and is recognized and respected worldwide, ensuring the coin’s liquidity and marketability.
  • Anti-Counterfeiting and Security Measures – The Royal Canadian Mint began incorporating advanced security measures into the design of the coins in 2014, providing visual ways for investors to distinguish between fake and genuine coins.

The Maple Leaf coins were in stock on Costco’s website for a few hours recently at the price of $609.99. That puts each coin in a tube of 25 at around 24.40, with the spot price of silver that day closing at $22.08 per ounce. Typical dealer premiums are slightly higher at around $2.50 per coin.

Costco Product Page: Item #1814000

Canadian Maple Leaf 1 oz Gold Coins

The Maple Leaf 1 oz Gold Coin is the flagship bullion investment coin from the Royal Canadian Mint. It has been a mainstay with global investors since 1979. Its .9999 fine gold content makes it one of the purest investment grade gold coins available, which can be important for some investors.

Costco’s first offering of Maple Leaf gold coins including the Queen Elizabeth Memorial obverse design from last year.

A few weeks ago, the current year issue featuring the official portrait of King Charles was made available at the price of $2,219. On the same day gold spot price closed at $2,161.71 per ounce, a premium of $57.29, which is slightly higher than the lowest available price from national bullion dealers like SD Bullion. The average premium for the Costco sale had some investors buying, with availability lasting around 17 hours.

Although the 1 oz coin is the standard, the Maple Leaf series is available in various sizes (1 gram, 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz) from a variety of trusted and reputable online bullion dealers, offering flexibility for different investment budgets and strategies.

2024 1 oz Canada Maple Leaf Gold Coin (King Charles Design)

Costco Product Page: Item #1814006


Costco’s expansion into the precious metals market by adding more coins and bars to its lineup demonstrates the company’s response to increased consumer demand for tangible investments as a store of value and wealth. This expansion not only broadens the investment options for Costco members but also signifies the growing trend of retail investment in precious metals.

Moreover, Costco’s foray into precious metals is complemented by its robust online platform and in-store services, ensuring secure and convenient purchases. With this expansion, Costco aims to solidify its position in the precious metals market, among industry veterans like APMEX, JM Bullion, Bullion Exchanges and SD Bullion, offering an accessible path for its members to invest in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

Precious metals coins are government backed with a guarantee for their purity and weight. They are purposely minted as a long term store of value and wealth that have historically been an effective hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.

Anti-counterfeiting edge notch on US Mint Gold and Silver Eagles

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With the introduction of the Type 2 designs in 2021, the US Mint added several anti-counterfeiting measures to the 1 oz coins that include both “overt” and “covert” features that available in the Type 1 coins.

The most obvious overt feature that investors notice is the notch in the edge of the American Eagle Gold and Silver coins. In appearance, it looks as if one of the reeds was knocked off. The notches also appear also on the redesigned gold and silver American Eagles with Uncirculated (Burnished) and Proof finishes. This is one of the a“overt” security features added by the mint. Additionally, the mint has included “covert” anti-counterfeiting measures as well.

The feature has yet to be implemented for the smaller denomination fractional American Gold Eagles. For now, these notches are on only the 1 oz coins.

Silver Eagle Edge Notch

On the 2021 issue, when looking at the obverse of the coin, the notch appears to disrupt the reeding around the edge at roughly at the 6 o’clock position. Each year they move it to a new location on the edge.

The notch was moved to a different position for the 2022 issue, with the location at approximately the 7 o’clock position.

The anti-counterfeiting notch was added as a deterrent to thwart Chinese counterfeiters from forging fakes of these best selling bullion coins.

Mint officials are not disclosing the coins’ new covert feature or features.

In a statement release by Todd Martin, deputy director for the Mint’s Office of Corporate Communications, “The United States Mint has invested in developing a state of the art Anti-Counterfeiting laboratory in Philadelphia,” Martin said. “The lab will use improved testing and authentication methods to determine the genuineness of coins returned via the presently suspended Mutilated Coin Redemption Program — which accepts bent and partial coins from individuals and businesses. The lab currently processes worn coins returned by the Federal Reserve (uncurrent coins).”

For 2024, the 1 oz Silver and 1 oz Gold American Eagle coins, the notch is at the 9 o’clock position in relation to the obverse. The edge notches are not included on fractional versions of the American Eagle gold bullion coins, nor fractional Uncirculated or Proof versions.

2024 American Eagle Coins Available for Presale

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The US Mint typically ships newly minted American Eagle coins during the beginning of January. Many trusted and reputable online bullion dealers have begun selling 2024 American Eagle Coins for future delivery. This is a way to lock in your price based on the current spot price.

2024 American Eagle Gold Coins

The American Gold Eagle is an official gold bullion coin of the United States, first issued by the U.S. Mint in 1986. These coins are highly regarded as investment-grade bullion coins and as a trusted store of value and wealth.

The 2024 American Gold Eagle coins are available in four distinct sizes, catering to different investment budgets and needs:

Each size carries a face value proportional to its weight, but their market value is primarily based on their gold content.

American Gold Eagles are made from 22-karat gold. Each coin is guaranteed by the U.S. Mint for weight and purity, ensuring they contain the stated amount of pure gold. The coins are backed by the U.S. government for their gold content, weight, and purity. This backing enhances their credibility and trustworthiness.

During economic downturns or recessions, investors often turn to gold as a safe haven asset. Gold Eagles provide a tangible asset that can hold its value in such times. Gold has historically maintained its value over time. It tends to perform well during periods of economic uncertainty, making Gold Eagles a stable store of wealth.

2024 American Eagle Silver Coins

The American Silver Eagle Coins offer a combination of government-backed purity and weight, liquidity, and the inherent benefits of silver as a precious metal. They can serve as a component of a long-term store of value as part of an investment strategy, especially in times of economic uncertainty, due to their potential to hedge against inflation and economic downturns.

As the official silver bullion coin of the United States, the 2024 American Silver Eagle is a popular choice among investors and collectors for its beauty, purity, and government backing. The American Silver Eagle is traditionally available in only one size: 1 troy ounce (approximately 31.10 grams) of .999 fine silver.

American Silver Eagles are highly liquid and recognized worldwide and can be easily bought, sold, or traded in most coin and bullion markets. Silver, like gold, is often seen as a hedge against inflation. In times when the purchasing power of fiat currencies declines, silver can maintain or increase its value.

Investment Coins from the US Mint

The U.S. Mint offers a variety of investment coin programs that feature gold, silver, and platinum coins, allowing investors and collectors to choose products that align with their investment goals and interests.

Traditionally, precious metal investment coins are seen as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. The U.S. Mint provides investment coins as a way to protect against currency devaluation and economic fluctuations.

American Eagle investment coins are recognized and revered globally, making them an incredibly liquid asset. Whether you’re looking to secure a solid investment or add to your collection, these coins offer flexibility and ease in buying and selling.

Investment coins from the U.S. Mint, especially the American Eagles, are recognized and traded globally. This wide recognition ensures liquidity, making it easy to buy, sell, or trade these coins.

These precious metal coins are a time-tested hedge against inflation, offering a safe haven in turbulent economic times. Each coin reflects the nation’s rich heritage and values, making them a proud addition to any collection.

Investment coins from the U.S. Mint offer a combination of government-backed authenticity, high quality, liquidity, and potential for both financial and numismatic appreciation, making them a popular choice among both investors and collectors.

2023-W Proof Gold Eagle and Buffalo Coins from the US Mint

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2023-W Gold Eagle Proof 4 coin collectors set with box (ogp) and coa

The US Mint releases proof finish versions of the American Eagle and American Buffalo coins each spring. The coins are meticulously struck using specially-prepared planchets which gives a mirror-like finish that highlights the astonishing sculpted details.

The coins are sold directly to consumers through the US Mint website. The prices that are established by the mint are much higher than the bullion issues. Proof finish coins have a limited annual mintage and are highly sought after by collectors.

Proof coins from the US Mint are also available on the secondary market through local coin stores and online bullion dealers. Resale premiums on proof finish coins are higher than bullion. Dealer Buyback prices are often a few percent above melt value for coins that are in mint state.

Some investors will ship proof-finish coins directly to third party grading companies such as NGC and PCGS while still wrapped in the original shipping box from the mint. Grading specialists from these companies will open the boxes and inspect each coin for fine details and assign a numeric grade.

The numismatic coin industry uses a 70-point scale to grade coins of all types. Developed in 1948 by Dr. William Sheldon, an American psychologist and numismatist. After decades of revisions, the scale was adopted by the American Numismatic Association in the 1970s is the industry standard today.

Graded coins with a PR-70 rating, the absolute highest, can command significant premiums on buy back, secondary market sales, and auction.

Some investors look for opportunities to make a substantial profit from the arbitrage between the initial release price and having the graded coin sold at auction or on the secondary-market.

2023-W Proof American Gold Eagle

These proof coins are struck from 22-karat gold and are issued as a numismatic version of the U.S. Mint’s popular bullion American Gold Eagle. However, unlike the bullion coins, each proof features frosted design elements against mirror-like backgrounds.

2023-W Proof American Gold Eagles, as well as a collection of the four coins in a set.

The size options with their corresponding denominations are shown in the table below.

Face ValueGold WeightCompositionOverall WeightDimensions
$50 Proof1 troy oz22k gold1.0909 ozt (33.931 g)32.70 mm x 2.87 mm
$25 Proof1/2 ozt22k gold0.5455 ozt (16.966 g)27.00 mm x 2.15 mm
$10 Proof1/4 ozt22k gold0.2727 ozt (8.483 g)22.00 mm x 1.78 mm
$5 Proof1/10 ozt22k gold.1091 ozt (3.393 g)16.50 mm x 1.26 mm
2023-W Proof American Eagle Denominations

2023-W Proof American Buffalo Gold Coin

James Earle Fraser’s Buffalo Nickel design is captured in incredible luster and brilliance on the American Gold Buffalo coins.

Proof Gold Buffalo coins showcase the native beauty of the American West and continue to be popular among both investors and collectors due to their beautiful design, 24k gold purity and high quality mirror-like finish.

The 2023-W Proof Gold Buffalo coin has an annual mintage of only 16,000 coins.

Transitioning to Gold Backed Digital Currencies for Trade Settlements

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The push toward dedollarization that began after the 2008 financial crisis has taken hold in recent years.

Many central bank are preparing for the elimination of the dollar from international trade settlements in favor of local currencies and are preparing by stocking up on gold and other commodities.

Development of the BRICS+ basket currency began more than ten years, with reforming the global finance system at the top of the plan.

The EuroAsia alliance and the push for the Moscow World Standard, a gold market that is outside of the manipulation from the corrupt Western banking elite is seen as a key driver for adoption of a basket currency.

This week, the Iraqi central bank announced they are dropping the dollar and switching to the Yuan for their trade with China after the US Treasury forced stricter SWIFT transfer rules last year.

While the intent of the tighter rules was to curtail money laundering and to prevent the siphoning of dollars to heavily sanctioned countries. It is yet another political move that appears to have backfired.

Jamie Dimon seems to have lost faith in the Federal Reserve. During a recent interview with CNBC, the JP Morgan Chase CEO said that he believes the Fed has lost control of inflation, while suggesting that it is still possible to have a “soft landing” of the economy.

While the stock market appears to be having a fragile recovery since the market bottom at the beginning of the pandemic lockdowns, the housing market has completely collapsed in record time.

As the rest of the world begins to transition to a gold-backed CBDC for international trade, the risk of out of control inflation to continue remains high and the chances of a soft landing for the economy is increasingly low.

The Federal Reserve has been piloting a number of different CBDC projects in recent months while recent legislation in Congress has been introduced to restrict the central bank from issuing any digital currencies to individuals.

In the long term, gold and silver preserve wealth and spending power while central bankers devalue fiat currency.

Even if the Fed is able to reduce inflation without destroying other sectors of the economy, the long term goal is to devalue the dollar by 2% annually with the inflation targets.

The global economy is shifting back towards some form of a gold standard. Everyone should be buying some physical gold and silver to have at home or in a secure location to be prepared for whatever happens this year.

The US Treasury continues to hold the largest gold bullion reserves. The January 31 report from shows 258,641,878.085 troy ounces, or roughly 8082.56 tons. According to some reports, 2,665 tons seized from citizens by FDR during the depression.

Storing physical gold and silver at home alongside firearms and other valuables is more common than you might think. If you don’t hold it, you don’t own it. Physical metals avoids counter-party risk.

Last year, the US Mint sold 980,000 troy ounces of gold eagle coins, a substantial drop from the 1,252,500 ounces that were sold in 2021.

Though 2022 saw an increase in sales of US Mint Gold Buffalo coins by nearly 60,000 troy ounces which shows that some gold bugs have been turning to .9999 fine gold.

Premiums on current year 1 oz Gold Eagle coins have fallen with online dealer premiums as low as 4.6% of gold spot price, and premiums on random year 1 oz Gold Buffalos are slightly higher from 5.14%.

Gold Eagles are minted from a 90% pure gold that is alloyed with small amounts of copper and silver. The addition of silver helps to gives these coins their unique color and luster.

Gold Buffalos are minted from .9999 pure 24k gold. The coins are beautifully sculpted and minted from gold that is refined from US mines.

Both coins each contain one troy ounce of pure gold.

NY Federal reserve launches CBDC “trial” on the heels of FTX collapse

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Several weeks ago, the New York Federal Reserve quietly launched a 12 week long trial of a CBDC “digital dollar” pilot program in partnership with global banking giants like Citigroup Inc, HSBC Holdings Plc, Mastercard Inc and Wells Fargo & Co.

The NYFR describes the project as an attempt to test the feasibility of using blockchain tokens and distributed ledger technology as a mechanism for settlement of liabilities.

This is one of many software and technology projects that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has been developing through their New York Innovation Center.

The Biden administration has been attempting to take control over the digital assets markets through a combination of Executive Orders and enforcement with the hiring of 70,000 new IRS agents.

On March 9, 2022, Biden signed Executive Order 14143, titled “Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets”.

Government agencies have been funding research projects at private institutions aimed at implementing a fully programmable digital currency such as those endorsed by the G7 and World Economic Forum (WEF).

What is the Federal Reserve New York Innovation Center?
The Federal Reserve Innovation Center is a group within the bank who’s mission is to collaborate on technology research, experimentation and prototyping with banking regulators, the banking industry, academia and international central banks, the Federal Reserve System, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub, academia, and the private sector through technical research, experimentation, and prototyping.

The team is chartered to generated insights into high-value central bank-related opportunities, enabling stakeholders and the central bank community to enhance the functioning of the global financial system.

Much of the G7 are following recommendations for CBDC systems endorsed by the WEF that are designed to be centrally controllable and programmable which is the opposite of having a decentralized blockchain.

Back in 2019, the General Manager of the International Bank of Settlements openly spoke about their intent to use CBDC to control which products citizens will be allowed to spend their digital dollars.

The Federal Reserve New York Innovation Center is likely following suggestions endorsed and suggested by the WEF, IBS, G7 and other organizations that have no absolutely no legal authority over the US economy or any other economy.

According to data provided by CBDCTracker.org, more than 60 countries are currently researching or launching pilot programs using CDBC blockchain ledger technology.

Many of the political rank and file in Congress reportedly received donations from FTX and affiliated crypto organizations in the run up to the mid-term elections.


Republicans in Congress have already announced their intent to hold hearings on the collapse of the FTX crypto exchange and into influence peddling by the White House.

In the current bankruptcy petition, the company discloses that it owes its top 50 creditors a total of $3.1 billion dollars but has yet to publicly disclose the list of names.

Shortly after signing EO 14143, former US President Bill Clinton and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair were both guest speakers at the Crypto Bahamas Conference.


Private Gold Ownership in the United States

During the pandemic the US Mint sold more ounces of gold, silver and platinum coins than ever before.

As a result of the pandemic, private ownership of gold and silver is now the highest it has been since Roosevelt confiscated gold in 1933.

Looking at only cumulative bullion sales of the American Gold Eagle coin series, the US Mint has sold roughly 45.5 million troy ounces of gold eagles from 1986 until 2021.

So far in 2022, it’s reported that the US Mint has sold roughly 976,000 ounces of gold coins as of November.

There have been a variety of problems reported by the US Mint in recent years related to supply chain and planchets that have effected the production of both Gold and Silver bullion coins.

Many investors have been fleeing from the stock and crypto markets due to ongoing inflation, mass layoffs, rising interest rates and fears of a recession or worse. Millions of Americans continue to lose faith in the US economy as millions face layoffs the war in Ukraine drags on without any end in sight.

Buyers demand low premiums on gold and silver. Investors, preppers and many every day Americans continue to search for a safe haven investment as some lobby for a return to a gold-standard economy.

As of March 5 2021, the US Mint stores 147.3 million troy ounces of gold at Fort Knox, down from the highest highest historic gold holdings of 649.6 million ounces in December 31, 1941.

According to the US Mint more than 512.3 million troy ounces of gold has been removed from the Fort Knox Gold Repository since 1941.

According to weekly published reports by the Federal Reserve, roughly 20 million troy ounces is stored in the New York Federal Reserve system.

Monthly Gold Report data provided by the Department of Treasury shows 261,498,926.2 million troy ounces in their inventory, with roughly 147.6 million ounces being held in Fort Knox, 43.8 million in Denver, CO and 54.0 million in West Point, NY. The DoT reports gold holdings at the Federal Reserve to be around 13.5 million ounces.

Between 1941 and 2022, the Department of Treasury seems to have a discrepancy of roughly 388 million troy ounces of gold.

Maybe someone should be asking where did all the gold that was removed from Fort Knox go?

Blockchain Backed Gold Ownership

Many central banks that increased their gold holdings during the pandemic, including Russia, China and other BRICS nations are experimenting with blockchain technology and how it may be able to help their economy.

Bitcoin and other decentralized blockchain technologies are a perfect use case to establish trust amongst sovereign central banks and in developing and emerging nations to validate their gold, other precious metals and minerals holdings to allow for fair participation in world trade and wealth building.

The first mined Bitcoin’s Genesis block contains an encrypted message attached to the blockchain that reads, “The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks.” 

Cryptocurrency technology was created in response to the crash of the financial markets in 2008.

The purpose behind the bitcoin, cryptocurrency and blockchain movements have evolved over the last decade.

Most importantly, these technologies can enable trust for the banking and financial system that has been plagued by corruption and mistrust since Roosevelt helped the bankers at the Federal Reserve steal the gold from the American public in 1933.