Bullion reverses and heads up

Last week I reported gold, silver and platinum fell 5-8 percent. Reverse that and you have this week. Premiums are about the same with the exception of some minor deterioration in the odd fractional world gold issues. This is because most people find it difficult to figure coins that are .2354, .1867, .0934 or .1947 pure and prefer 1, ½, ¼, and 1/10 ounce bullion coins, but that is what separates the astute investor from the beginner.

How is the coin market? Quiet in normal collector retail activity, although there is definitely a pickup in Christmas buying. The rest of the market is being supported by demand for choice type coins, bullion and an insatiable demand for high-quality Morgan dollars and Lincoln cents.

There is continued demand for the less expensive lower grade type issues from the promotional side of the market. This has caused noticeable increases in good to fine Buffalo nickels in the teens and Barber dimes from 1900 to 1904 minted in Philadelphia. The 1904-S Barber half seems to be in strong demand in all circulated grades and the 1913-S dime is demonstrating how scarce it actually is with dealer buys approaching retail levels. The scarce 1877 proof-only three-cent and five-cent issues are showing strong renewed activity with increased buy levels.

E-mail harrymkrause@optonline.net.