2015 Lunar Skulls Silver Goat Coin Legal Tender Ghana Bullion

The Chinese Lunar calendar-themed coins have emerged as the largest and perhaps most diverse coin program in the world in recent years. But for the modern world coin collector that results in such a dizzying range of coins, sometimes even from one country, that it is hard to decide which ones are worth getting. In addition, some animals seem to result in more attractive art work than others. The 2015 year of the goat coins have been more challenging in this regard but have already been rendered very nicely in Perth's bullion and collector coins, the 5 oz gilded Niue issue made by Pamp in Switzerland with a mintage of 500, and others.

But now there is a totally original take on the Lunar theme from the country of Ghana with the first coin in a new series of a more macabre nature that depicts the skulls of the animal. The 2015 Lunar Skulls goat issue is being minted by an e-Bay dealer named Son-Montuno, who specializes in modern world coins, who decided to establish his own private mint to produce this series. It will be a 12-coin series, and first year releases are often the most sought after.

The skull coins, which will be minted in high relief, and issued in low mintages in BU (2,000 coins) and especially in proof (just 500 coins), have really struck a chord with many collectors, even though they will only be issued in January, which means buyers have only line art drawings to go by for now.

The coins were produced with the assistance of SMmint.com and were designed by U.S. tattoo artist, Kiana Roo, whose signature appears on each coin. Each coin is also individually numbered on the rim, and the number on the certificate of authenticity will match that on the coin. This is a feature many collectors find appealing.

It is hard to say exactly why these coins have become popular so quickly, but it is not terribly surprising given the success of the Zombucks and similar limited edition rounds sold by Provident Metals, which sell for solid premiums over the issue prices. At the recent Whitman Expo in Baltimore, Maryland I ran into a dealer who said she was particularly taken with the Feast dollar, a macabre version of the famous Peace dollar. Zombucks is billed as "the currency of the apocalypse" by Provident.

Son-Montuno decided to split the mintage of these coins with his business partner. Son-Montuno allocated only 10 coins per dealer
with his half of the mintage, with the other half going to his business partner. Each dealer who buys coins to sell retail will only receive 10 coins in most cases. This method of distribution is one of the reasons prices for the coins in proof have taken off so quickly, though auction results have also been uneven.

Pre-orders for the proofs began on November 22 at $89, there were many sales in the $150 range, and by the 24th they reached $199. Then auction prices started going much higher reaching $596 on the 30th. But on December 6 someone got a proof for only $255, still a healthy increase from the initial price, but a fraction of more recent sales.

From what I have read and heard from other collectors it is clear that some buyers quickly realized the proof coins represented a good value at $89-$150 and appear to have purchased extras to sell at a profit. It remains to be seen whether by January the proof coins will still bring $600-700, but $300 seems like a reasonable prediction. A lot will depend on how the coins look in person, and on the extent to which buyers decide to sell their extra coins, or keep them to see how prices develop.

Why should you be interested in this coin?

• Highly limited (2,500 coins maximum/ ONLY 500 PROOF).
• Three nines fine silver (99.9% pure silver).
• First coin of a new series w/ unique serial # engraved on coin with matching COA.

Specifications:

• Country: Ghana
• Metal: 1 Troy oz. of 99.9% pure silver
• Finish: Proof/ BU (satin)
• Diameter: 36.81mm
• Edge: Milled
• Denomination: 5 Cedis
• Year of Issue: 2015
• Mintage: 500/2,000

Angel’s 30th Anniversary Celebrated with New Silver Bullion Coin

I had the opportunity recently to speak with Sharon Eiden Cornejo of Asset Management Services, whose subsidiary GovMint.com is the exclusive worldwide distributor of the first silver bullion strike Angel. 

Among other questions, I asked about the latest addition to the Angel range and discussed the background of both the legacy and modern Angel coins and why this coin retains such popularity with so many collectors of all interests. 

With such a fiercely competitive bullion market, the angel has comfortably held its own over the last thirty years and if what we’ve seen over these last three decades has anything to determine with what’s in store for this sought after coin, the Angels will be around for many years to come, and then some – read on & enjoy!

MA: Hello Sharon, Thank you for speaking with me today. Your department at Asset Marketing Services have been in the process of promoting a new product, the first silver bullion strike angel – which was minted to celebrate the ever-popular Isle of Man gold Angel’s 30th anniversary, this coin is the first time a silver bullion quality angel crown has been produced – the other silver coins being proof & minted in 1995 and 2010, how are the sales for this beautiful coin progressing so far..?

SEC: We have seen a great response to this coin in its first year. Govmint.com is the exclusive worldwide and authorized distributor for the 2014 Silver bullion Angel. To date we have sold over 118,000 silver angel bullion coins.  There has been worldwide interest in this coin attesting to the appeal of the Angel series

MA: I have the new 2014 silver angel in front of me now and it’s a beautiful crown, I’ve been receiving questions about both the gold and now the silver ounce coin, asking why I hadn’t covered the issue of the new silver coin until now, why haven’t we heard about the coin until just recently..?

SEC: We did a “soft” release back in the fall of 2013. Response was quick and strong, proving that this is a coin that collectors want to add to their collections. Throughout 2014 we have continued with our promotions and sales have been strong while interest continues to grow.

A quick background on the Angel series. The first modern Angels were released by Pobjoy Mint in 1984.  These were proof fractional gold coins struck in 1 oz, ½ oz, ¼ oz, 1/10 oz and 1/20th oz sizes.  The design was so well received that the following year it was awarded the prestigious Coin of the Year award for Best Gold Coin. It was only fitting that in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Angel series, a first year issue silver bullion Angel be added. 

MA: The original angel coin itself has a very long history – stretching all the way back to the reign of King Henry VIII, much earlier than the modern Isle of Man issued coins which have managed to make this coin so popular with bullion investors and coin collectors alike (who favor the proof editions), what is either your favorite “folklore” legend about the legacy coin or aspect of the modern edition..?

SEC: I like the traditional story of medieval Kings and Queens giving the Angel coins to their workers that they deemed worthy of receiving one. These workers in turn believed that the Angel coin brought them good luck and fortune and sometimes even thought to cure sickness and save lives. That is a lot of power for one coin to hold! These are also great generational coins that are passed down from one generation to the next. Often given as tokens of good luck. We even have employees that carry them around in their pockets as a good luck piece.

The Silver Angel for many years has been one of the missing pieces in the coin collector world. In years to come, this coin could become as sought after as an American Silver Eagle or China Silver Panda.

MA: I especially love the silver examples myself and yes, the first year issue has indeed become one of the “key” coins to have added early on. What was so exciting about the gold issues from the start was the very large size & variety from 15 ounce at one time right down to 1/20th ounce, are there any plans to produce the same variations in sizes for the silver coins..?

SEC: In 2013, Pobjoy Mint issued a 5 ounce silver proof in spectacular high relief which was carried exclusively by Govmint.com.  It is quite an impressive coin showing all the details of the battle between St. Michael & the Dragon. But at this time we do not have plans to produce a full range of sizes in silver, however we do have some very exciting coins in a variety of sizes and metals coming up for 2015, including another 1oz Silver bullion.

MA: Over the past 30 years of production, there have been some real changes for the coin, most noteworthy, the quality of the strikes and the high relief examples, in your opinion, what has been the greatest change in the range and which example or version is the best-selling in the gold range of coins..?

SEC: The Angel series has come a long way since 1984. Of course the award winning 1984 design is a favorite for me and for our customers. Pobjoy Mint has produced some amazing coins over the years. The skill that was used to create the Silver and Gold Bimetal coin in 2009 and again in 2011 when they produced a Platinum and Gold Bimetal Angel, knowing how difficult Platinum can be to strike much less put into a bimetal coin! And as I mentioned earlier, the careful precision to create the first ever 5 ounce High Relief Silver Proof Angel. As you can tell, it is hard to pick just one!

The first year issue 1984 design still holds the title as our best selling gold Angel, however the 2006 1 ounce Angel struck in High Relief Gold Proof isn’t too far behind.

MA: 30 years is a substantial time to have been part of a very active worldwide bullion market, so many changes have taken place and a great number of products have entered the market since 1985, what changes from the perception of Asset Marketing have been the most profound and how does the Angel “make its mark” in such a competitive market – what current trends do you see taking root for bullion related coins..?

SEC: The Pobjoy Mint is known for its quality and attention to detail.  The history and legacy of the modern Pobjoy Angel series and vintage versions of the Angel coin makes this a great collector piece.  Not many of the modern silver bullion pieces have such a history to their design like the Angel’s history – dating back over 500 years. The Silver Angel bullion has already started strong in its first year and I only see it getting stronger and gaining more collectors in the coming years.

MA: This coin has always been a real favorite of mine since its introduction and I look forward to following any changes it may have the future – including a possible new portrait of the Queen shortly. Sharon Eiden Cornejo, Vice President of Product Development of GovMint.com, thank you so much for your time today.

SEC: You’re very welcome

My thanks go to Alexa LeMay, Senior Program Coordinator of Govmint.com for additional information provided. For more information on the entire range of bullion and collector versions of the Isle of Man Angel series coins, please visit the website of GovMint.com at:http://www.govmint.com/world-coins/top-world-coins/angel-coins.html For additional information on additional coins from the Isle of Man, please visit the website of the Pobjoy Mint at:http://www.pobjoy.com/ukworld/section.php/1054/1

Are We About To See A Historic Melt-Up In Gold & Silver?

Are We About To See A Historic Melt-Up In Gold & Silver?

Today one of the wealthiest people in the financial world stunned King World News when he said we may be nearing a point where we see a historic melt-up in gold, silver, and the mining shares. 

 Rick Rule, who is business partners with billionaire Eric Sprott, also discussed exactly how this historic advance will unfold and why the up-moves will be so incredibly violent

Eric King: “Rick, are we finally seeing the more than 3-year bear market in gold and silver coming to an end?”

Rule: “You and I both believe in higher precious metals prices, Eric, so it’s tempting to say yes. Bear markets end with capitulation selloffs. I think we were on the verge of a capitulation selloff six weeks ago but we didn’t get one. The questions is, do we have to see a capitulation selloff this time? The answer is, of course not

“I said to my Chinese friends that ‘The U.S. dollar is in one way shape or form a lie.’ And they said, ‘Yes, but it’s the most liquid lie on the planet, and from that point of view we are attracted to it.’

When the confidence in the U.S. dollar begins to wane, and I say when, not if, then precious metals will shine. We may be seeing a preview of that today. But if you had bought precious metals in rubles, Eric, or yen, or the Brazilian real, you would be very happy today. 

 For many people who bought them in dollars this has created frustration because of the strength of the dollar vs other fiat currencies. Gold doesn’t have to win the war against the dollar, it just needs to lose it less badly for KWN readers not to be just happy, but ecstatic.”

Eric King: “In this secular bull market, if we are seeing an end to the cyclical bear market in gold, silver, and the shares, how do you see the advance unfolding off the lows? Will it give people time to get in?”

Rule: “I definitely believe it will. I believe that without a capitulation selloff, the bottom that we see will resemble the market that we saw from July 2013 - February 2014. That is a gradual saucer-shaped recovery, with higher highs and higher lows but plenty of volatility to scare people and also delay investment in the sector. And it may be that we are back into that phase after having been scared to death recently.

Certainly without the capitulation selloff what you will see is a long consolidation period that’s extremely choppy and volatile. And that has been, in my experience in the last three cycles, eventually greeted with a melt-up. 

That’s the only way I can describe it if you remember 2002, Eric. This is where, finally, all of the sellers get used up and the metal gaps higher and the shares gap higher. I’m not saying that past has to be prologue but that’s what has happened the last few times we have been in a similar position.”

Eric King: “You are talking about some pretty violent upward moves.”

Rule: “Yes. It’s funny that we have been, in effect, punished in this market since 2012 and subjected to several violent down-moves, so we forget that the thing which attracted us to this sector originally was the fact that in recovery this market exhibits very violent up-moves.

Remember, people’s expectations of the future are set by their experience in the immediate past. And everybody’s experience in the immediate past going back to the tail end of 2011 has been negative. What that means is that our expectations are all negative. 

 What moves a market is a market that exceeds expectations, and expectations for the mining industry are pathetically low, which means we will exceed those expectations.

And when we exceed those expectations the market will move significantly higher and perhaps very violently to the upside. If you remember back to the 1993 melt-up, or the 2002 melt-up, or going back even further to the melt-up of the late 1970s, which was the most violent melt-up I’ve ever experienced in my life, these are truly spectacular events. If past is prologue, and it normally is, this will happen again.”

See this article at King World News

US Mint Silver Coin Sales Climb to Annual Record as Silver Price Rebounds

The U.S. Mint has sold a record number of silver coins this year as demand for the physical metal helped futures in New York recover more than 20 percent since falling to a five-year low early this month.

Purchases of American Eagle silver coins reached 43.051 million ounces in 2014, data on the mint’s website shows. That tops last year’s 42.7 million ounces, the previous all-time high, according to an e-mailed statement yesterday. There are still enough supplies to keep selling 2014-dated coins through the week starting Dec. 15, the mint estimates.

A surge in demand prompted the mint to suspend sales in November for more than a week because of a lack of inventory. When the coins were again made available for purchase, it was on allocated basis. Buying has increased with prices heading for a second straight annual loss, the longest slump since 1992.

“This has been a very strong year for us,” said Michael Kramer, the president of New York-based MTB Inc., a dealer authorized to purchase coins directly from the mint and sell to consumers. “It was especially busy on days prices took a big tumble.”

Silver futures for March delivery jumped 5.3 percent to $17.134 an ounce on the Comex yesterday, the biggest gain since Dec. 1.

Prices declined 12 percent this year through yesterday, after dropping 36 percent in 2013. On Dec. 1, the metal reached $14.155, the lowest since 2009.

Swiss Franc No Longer a Safe Haven and a Possible Bottom for Gold

Peter Schiff responds to the results of the "Save Our Swiss Gold" initiative this past weekend. He explains why he thinks it is bullish for gold and might have even marked gold's bottom.










0:17 – “Save Our Swiss Franc” would have been a more accurate description of the Swiss gold initiative.



0:59 – Switzerland used to have more than 40% of its reserves in gold and was very prosperous.



1:47 – The Swiss gold initiative was a threat to the powers-that-be, because it limited the ability of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to create inflation



2:35 – If the initiative had passed, Switzerland would have been an example of a strong economy in a sea of European inflation.



3:34 – How is it crazy to have only 20% of your assets in gold, but sensible to have 100% of your assets in fiat currencies?



4:30 – The Swiss originally didn’t want to adopt the euro, but now they’ve embraced a de facto euro standard.



5:30 – Gold and silver dropped dramatically after the vote, which was surprising since no one had really expected the initiative to pass.



6:23 – Gold and silver recovered their losses quickly once the United States started trading.



7:10 – Peter believes the “no” vote is more bullish for the long-term price of gold.



7:43 – If the Swiss had adopted the referendum, it would have slowed down Swiss money printing and Swiss inflation.



8:28 – When the world realizes the United States is going to return to quantitative easing, the Swiss franc will no longer be a safe-haven option. This would mean greater demand for gold.



9:36 – If the SNB won’t be buying gold on behalf of its people, the Swiss will buy gold individually to protect their purchasing power.



10:49 – Looking at historical actions of central banks, there’s a chance that gold’s low price on Sunday could end up being gold’s bottom.

Bull and Bear Silver 1oz 999 Bullion Round

The 1 oz Bull and Bear Silver Round is in stock and now available in brand new condition. Each of these particular rounds have been produced by NTR Metals located in Texas and is minted with 1 troy ounce of .999+ fine silver. 

With an artistic design and available for low over spot premiums, the 1 oz Bull and Bear Silver Round can make for a fine investment in silver.

NTR Metals is well known for their production of quality, low cost silver bullion and the 1 oz Bull and Bear Silver Round is certainly a fine example. On the front of the round is the image of a bull with its head turned in profile. 

Above the animal are inscriptions for its name which reads “BULL.” Listed underneath the bull are weight inscriptions which read “ONE TROY OUNCE.” On the other side of the round is the image of a bear with its mouth opened and paw raised. Above the animal is the word “BEAR.” The purity inscriptions are located below the bear which read “.999+ FINE SILVER.”

All orders placed with JM Bullion are shipped in discreet packaging and are also fully insured. In this way, customers can rest easy knowing their precious metals will arrive to their doorstep as securely as possible. Furthermore, all items that we purchase are inspected for purity and authenticity once they arrive at our facility as a protection to our customers.

Bull and Bear Silver 1oz 999 Bullion Round