News

Breaking news from the precious metals industry. Gold, silver and platinum group mining, refineries and refining technologies, minting and distribution.

News and information about the global drivers of prices in the precious metals markets. Including central banks, interest rates, industrial manufacturing, electronics and investors.

JP Morgan Chase Paid $920 Billion Fine in Precious Metals Fraud Scheme Spanning 10 Years

In 2020, JP Morgan Chase admitted that it scammed precious metals investors of billions of dollars by rigging the markets for more than ten years. To avoid prosecution, the company agreed to pay almost $1 billion in fines for schemes related to defrauding precious metals futures exchanges and US Treasuries. Rumors and speculation have circulated … Read moreJP Morgan Chase Paid $920 Billion Fine in Precious Metals Fraud Scheme Spanning 10 Years

Is Owning Precious Metals Legal?

On April 5, 1933 President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 6102 which outlawed the private ownership of gold by citizens.

For a duration lasting 41 years in the mid-20th century, the government made it a crime for the people to own, hold or transact in sound money.

Following the resignation of Nixon, one of the first laws signed by President Ford included a bill which reversed Roosevelt’s Executive Orders.

It has been legal for anyone to own, hoard, buy and sell gold in the United States since December 1, 1974.

Wildcat Gold Mining Is Devastating the Amazon

garimpo – a small-scale, informal gold, diamond, and tin placer mining campWildcat gold mining continues to be a problem. It’s estimated that there are as many as 5,000 illegal small-scale gold mining camps scattered throughout the Brazilian Amazon.The wildcat miners that operate small-scale gold mining camps in the Brazilian Amazon are known as garimpeiros.  Across the centuries, garimpeiros have scoured … Read moreWildcat Gold Mining Is Devastating the Amazon

1986 American Silver Eagle Values, Bullion, Proof, and Graded Coins

1986 Silver Eagle BU

The 1986 American Silver Eagle marked the historic launch of the United States Mint’s American Eagle Bullion Program. Introduced alongside the American Gold Eagle, the Silver Eagle quickly became one of the world’s most recognized and trusted silver bullion coins. Inaugural Year Highlights The coin was released late in 1986 and available for just two … Read more1986 American Silver Eagle Values, Bullion, Proof, and Graded Coins

US Mint Authorized Wholesale Purchasers

2018 American 1 oz Silver Eagle

Unlike other world mints, the United States Mint does not sell its bullion coins directly to the public. Instead, the coins are distributed through a network of official distributors called Authorized Purchasers. The Authorized Purchasers then create a two-way market by buying and selling to precious metal wholesalers, retail dealers, and private investors. In the … Read moreUS Mint Authorized Wholesale Purchasers

Why do online bullion dealers have different prices for cash or credit cards?

buy silver

It can be confusing for first time investors looking to buy silver rounds online. Whether looking for silver bars, silver rounds, or government minted products like American Silver Eagles on Canadian Silver Maple Leafs, the pricing that online bullion dealers show is confusing. Silver and gold bullion prices are based on “spot price”. Spot price … Read moreWhy do online bullion dealers have different prices for cash or credit cards?