Platinum and palladium push gold aside

This article was originally printed in the latest issue of Numismatic News.
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Gold and silver continue to be under pressure. This is not unexpected with all the goings on in our capital regarding Chinese President Hu and our President. As they make nice, our economic woes and entanglements take a back seat.

Platinum and palladium, however, are reacting to higher oil and inflationary demand from the industrial sector. Platinum is at a 30-month high and palladium a new high.

Gold type coins are mixed with the bullion-related issues soft, but investment demand continues on the Indian Head issues, especially the quarter eagle. We are also experiencing good demand on Liberty Head quarter eagles and half eagles.

The copper type coin sector is seeing some rekindled interest in the earliest issues with strong demand for the first issues in mid-circulated grades.

Barber and Seated issues continue in demand as type in Mint State and from date collectors again in the mid-circulated grades. Key Barber halves have moved up in the VF to EF grade range. Barber halves in MS-65 have increased, a grade that often lags the rest of the market and Barber quarters in AU have done the same. This is a good omen.

The somewhat overpromoted 1909-S VDB and the 1955 DDO have some minor downward price adjustments, but nothing serious. Perhaps it was due to a few coin dealers raising extra cash to fund bullion deals.

Silver dollars are moving across the board.

E-mail harrymkrause@optonline.net.