By Gary Savage, GoldSeek

Since March of 2001, the stock market has been and continues to be in a secular bear market.  Beginning in March 2009, stocks have been in a cyclical bull market.  This means our current stock market is in a relatively short term bull rally within a much longer term secular bear market decline.

The current rally will serve to separate the second phase of the secular bear from the third and potentially most damaging leg down in the ongoing bear market.

Now that doesn’t mean the rally since March 2009 is finished. I doubt it is.

What it does mean is that one can’t make a timing mistake and expect to be rescued by the secular trend.

At some point this bull is going to expire and we are going to head back down and break the SP500 lows at 666, either nominally or on an inflation-adjusted basis. I suspect it will be both.

The reason it’s going to do that is simply because we don’t have a fundamental driver to power a long term bull market in place.  For instance, from 1982 to 2000, the stock market was in a secular bull market. The fundamental driver for that bull was the personal computer and the internet. Those were world changing new technologies. Millions and millions of jobs were created during this period.

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8p ET Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Dear Friend of GATA and Gold:

Sprott Asset Management’s chief investment strategist, John Embry, explains in detail in the new issue of Investor’s Digest of Canada why gold is not in a bubble, why today’s gold price suppression by central banks is many times greater than it was in the 1970s, and how declining production has made gold a fantastic supply/demand imbalance investment. Embry’s commentary is headlined “Gold Bull Has Many Years, Thousands of Dollars to Go,” and you can find it at the Sprott Internet site here:

http://www.sprott.com/Docs/InvestorsDigest/2009/12_24_2009%20Gold%20bull…

Or try this abbreviated link:

http://tinyurl.com/y9hcxv4

CHRIS POWELL, Secretary/Treasurer
Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee Inc.

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GDP: Great Day to Play

Good Day,

Friday’s market sessions in precious metals started off on a tamer note, following the best gains in gold in three weeks. Explanations follow. The recapture of the $1045 area is noteworthy, although analysts we polled during the wee hours overseas are trying to define the move as everything from a ‘one-hit wonder’ to the ‘re-ignition of what we saw during most of October.’

The Bloomberg weekly survey foresees weaker gold prices come next week - not by a large margin (57% bearish)- but still focusing on a potential comeback by the US currency, the early signs of which became visible this past Monday. Demand for the yellow metal once again slipped away in India, following signs of life during the earlier part of the week when values came close to $1025 per ounce. The country recorded its sixth straight month of declining gold imports, despite a decent gain during September – in anticipation of festival-related sales.

New York spot dealings opened with a $2.60 loss in gold bullion, which was quoted at $1043.20 bid, as against a euro-dollar seen at $1.4798 and the USD index steady-to-higher, at 76.05, with little in the way of fresh news thus far this morning. Oil prices gave back about 50 cents of their whopper-sized Thursday gains, slipping to $79.32 per barrel. Risk traders took a latte break this morning, and this gave the dollar a moment to try to re-group.

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Read the rest of Gold, Silver, Metal Prices: Commentary – 10/30/2009 (2,324 words)

Twenty years ago in 1989 the Austrian State Mint passed from the Treasury into the ownership of the central bank. The mint was given the freedom to produce and sell products in accordance with the demands of the modern numismatic and investment markets. One of the very first innovations introduced by the new CEO, Paul Berger, was the production of a gold bullion coin for investment purposes: the Vienna Philharmonic.

On 16th October this year a limited quantity of 6,027 Vienna Philharmonic coins, each weighing 20 ounces of fine gold, will go on sale in Europe, America and Japan.

20 ounces to commemorate 20 years!

Why the odd number? The mint decided to offer 2009 coins (the date of the 20th anniversary) in its three major markets: in Europe, in America and in Japan. Investors still remember the 15 giant coins (each of 1,000 ounces) that celebrated the fifteenth anniversary in 2004, and that entered the Guinness Book of Records as the then largest gold coin in the world. All 15 giant coins were snapped up within days, and the excitement surrounding this special issue of a 20 ounce coin promises a similar market reaction.

The new 20 ounce coin has a diameter of 74 mm and a thickness of 8.3 mm and is housed in a prestigious wooden and red velvet case. Pre-orders for this unique anniversary gold coin have already started pouring into the mint in Vienna. It promises to be a major success as indeed the past 20 years of the Austrian bullion programme have been.

The Vienna Philharmonic Story

The decision in 1989 to issue a gold bullion coin in the two weights of 1 ounce and ¼ ounce was greeted with indulgent smiles. Austria, a small central European country since the destruction of her empire in 1918 and without any gold mining industry to support, was entering the bullion market, long dominated by the Krugerrand and that time divided between the USA, Canada and Western Australia.

Berger and his team decided that music was the ideal theme for their new coin. Austria was internationally renowned for its music, but they decided against the portrayal of one of the many great composers like Mozart, Haydn or Strauss. That would make the coin appear like a commemorative edition for collectors. Instead they chose a living and world-famous musical institution: the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. To their delight the members of the orchestra enthusiastically endorse this choice, freely grant the use of their name. The engraver, Thomas Pesendorfer, designed a collection of instruments to represent the orchestra itself and for the other side of the coin he took the great pipe organ of the Golden Hall in Vienna where the orchestra plays at home. It is seen on television around the world every year on 1st January during the New Year’s Day Concert.

The new Austrian coin was launched in Vienna on 10th October and was an immediate success. The demand in the home market was nothing less than ferocious. In two and a half months 419,000 ounces were sold, achieving with one blow an 18% world market share for the entire year 1989! It rapidly established itself as a serious participant in the international gold market. In 1992 and again in 1995, 1996 and 2000 the Vienna Philharmonic was ranked by the World Gold Council as the top selling gold bullion coin worldwide. In 2008 the Vienna Philharmonic continued to rank No. 1 in Europe and in Japan, and with a year’s market share of 25% it came in 3rd worldwide narrowly missing 2nd place. The “indulgent smiles” have long since disappeared.

A 1/10 ounce in 1991 and a ½ ounce coin in 1994 completed the traditional family of four sizes. In 2008 a silver 1 ounce Vienna Philharmonic was added to the investment range with resounding success.

Looking back on 20 years of continual growth and success, the Vienna Philharmonic has established itself firmly as one of the four great gold bullion coins offered on the international market of today. This one-time issue of a limited number of 20 ounce gold coins is but a fitting tribute to a 20 year long success story that shows no signs of letting up in the near future.

Related posts:

1. Last of the Austrian Mint’s “Vienna Jugendstil” Series
2. Austrian Mint Issues 5 Euro Silver Coin Honoring Great Conductor
3. Gold touches 27-year high of $746.30 an ounce; silver surges nearly 3%

Even though multitudes of American investors have lost faith in Wall Street and our nation’s banking system, they can still show their patriotism by purchasing American gold bullion, as they convert their wealth into precious metal diversification. Traditional investments in stocks and bonds have had their overextended course of contrived prosperity, now it’s time to pay the piper. As we all prepare for the treacheries of an indeterminate inflationary period, many investors are claiming financial independence from our banks and brokers by diversifying with American gold bullion like Engelhard brand, one-ounce, and ten-ounce bars, and American gold bullion coins like 22-karat American Eagles, or 24-karat American Buffalos.

Engelhard 24-karat bars are manufactured in New Jersey, and make great items for personal possession, as well as short-term diversifications for rare coins like $20 Lady Liberty’s, or $20 Saint Gaudens, which are traditionally used for long-term stability. Bullion prices usually hover just above the current spot price, and investors can also use this affordability for long-term financial safety, as government approved, gold-backed IRA contributions. Rare coins are not permitted for precious metal IRA storage, but the aforementioned American Eagles, and Buffalo coins are permissible, along with proof, and “Ultra-High” proof versions of the modern American Eagle bullion coin. Investors may also wish to round off their budgets with fractional denominations of the $50 American Eagle, which include ½-ounce, ¼-ounce, and 1/10-ounce coins. These investors are encouraged to complete their research, and then to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on bullion, and rare coin.

Danny Burns

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The United States Mint has sold 110,500 one-ounce American Buffalo $50 Gold Bullion Coins since they were released on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.

To place that in perspective, in less than two weeks bullion dealers have purchased 64.2 percent of the total (172,000) that was sold in all of 2008.

There appeared to a touch of dry spell in sales for several days. The US Mint generally updates bullion figures daily, but the Gold Buffalos remained at 86,000 from last Wednesday until Tuesday morning when the tally jumped to 106,500. By close of business Tuesday, numbers were at 110,500.

The Mint will begin selling the collector proof Buffalo coins this Thursday at noon ET. Demand is expected to be fierce. No order limits are in place.

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Read the rest of US Mint Bullion Gold Buffalo Coins Top 110K (219 words)

When strictly short-term investors buy gold bullion, many of them prefer the affordability of bullion bars, because their utter simplicity warrants the lowest possible investment- grade gold price. Short-term investors generally purchase one- ounce, and/or ten-ounce bars, whose prices usually hover slightly above the current gold spot price, which is the cost of one Troy-ounce of pure gold. Savvy short-term investors buy gold bullion when the spot price declines, and usually liquidate their metal within a fourteen-month span, during which time the gold spot price fluctuates in accordance with global demand. As of around noon today, the spot price was hovering around $1052 per-ounce. The all-time record high spot price is $1071, which was set only a few weeks ago. Many financial experts believe that gold will continue to surpass new all-time highs in coming months and years, and more investors are purchasing bullion bars with reputable brand names, to capitalize on these potential, short-term gains.

Long-term investors also buy gold bullion to diversify their holdings in far more costly rare coins. Rare coins command very high premiums, because their numismatic value generally tends to appreciate over time, so it’s logical to diversify with more affordable bullion bars, while more costly rare coins are left to appreciate. Reputable brand names for bullion bars include Credit Suisse, PAMP Suisse, Engelhard, and Johnson Matthey, and these bars are also U.S. government-approved for gold-backed, IRA storage. Certain bullion coins are also acceptable IRA contributions, which are 22-Karat, American Eagles, and the following 24-Karat bullion coins: Australian Kangaroos, Koalas, and Lunar coins, American Buffalos, Canadian Maple Leafs, Chinese Pandas, and Austrian Philharmonics. Investors are encouraged to complete their research, and then to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on bullion, and rare coin.

Danny Burns

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If you haven’t heard the news already, the U.S. Mint announced earlier this year that they would be curtailing their overall production of US Gold Eagles in 2009 due to problem sourcing gold to mint them from.  The Mint is required to source it’s gold from American mines and because of the huge worldwide demand for gold bullion, was unable to acquire enough to meet projected needs for this year’s Gold Eagle Rounds minting.

This has two impacts on the collectible market: first, it somewhat raises the price of all other gold coins on the market as demand increases; second, it makes the 2009 US Gold Eagles an immediately collectible item because of their relative rarity.

Up to this point in 2009, US Gold Eagles have only been produced and offered in full ounce coins, very rare for the Mint to do.  They’ve been offered on a rotational basis, making them somewhat more difficult to source directly from coin dealers.  The added interest in them has meant that many shops sell out the day they receive their shipment.

Fractional coins (1/4, 1/2 ounce, etc.) will be available for a very limited time in December.  Those promise to be very hard to get and in demand as well, becoming instantly collectible.

Gold Eagle Rounds have always been popular as an investment medium for bullion purchasers who don’t buy full or sized bars.  This year, however, 2009 US Gold Eagles are instead collector’s items in themselves.  Bullion purchasers have turned to other coins, such as the Canadian Maple Leaf, instead.

Definitely interesting times, but the traditional Walking Liberty motif of the Gold Eagle Rounds is always popular and even more so now with this latest development.

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The pride of Canadian coinage is the Maple Leaf gold bullion coin. The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) proudly produces these strikingly beautiful, one-ounce 24-Karat gold coins, and the Ottawa-based refinery and mint was the first in the world to offer 24-Karat bullion to the world in 1979. It wasn’t until 1982 however, that these modern bullion coins were massed produced. Before Maple Leaf gold bullion arrived on the scene, 22-Karat South African Krugerrands were the only available gold bullion in the world, and they weren’t immediately globally popular largely because U.S. citizens were forbidden to own gold during the early 70’s. South African’s own inhumane practice of apartheid was another major inhibitor of the Krugerrands’ initial global acceptance, while Canada’s ongoing legacy of robust, friendly ideals helps to promote the 24-Karat, iconic coin.

Maple Leaf gold bullion coins’ obverse design is one of Canada’s most recognized symbols, as well as the coin’s namesake. The design is the work of the RCM’s master engraver, Walter Ott, and artist, Arnold Machin created the reverse design, which portrays the profiled image of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, facing to the right. These 1-ounce coins are also minted in varying, smaller denominations like ½-ounce, ¼-ounce, and 1/10-ounces, to fit a wider range of budgets. Gold investment is the current economic trend, as spot prices continue to rise, while U.S. dollar values continue to flirt with ambiguity. Investors are encouraged to evaluate their finances, and then to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts to household investors like you.

Danny Burns

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One of the great benefits of investing in gold is that it typically functions as a safe haven for investors in times of economic turmoil. During the current economic instability, gold has risen to record high prices as one would expect. Some people will keep hold of their gold stocks until the peak of the instability then try to sell it off when gold prices reach their highest. But other people who struggle during tough times have another option: selling gold jewelry or other gold items to get cash to get through the hardships. You can easily sell gold bullion coins and bars to a bullion dealer, but how do you go about selling gold jewelry?

Selling your gold jewelry is not a difficult task. You can find various companies either online or around your area that will offer you cash for your gold items and make the process quite simple for you. The gold buyers are looking to get their hands on as much gold as possible, so they can profit from prices that will likely rise even higher over the longterm, and profit from some price spreads or transaction fees. But their businesses are usually legitimite and you will get a fair amount of cash for your gold.

A well-known example of such a company is Cash4Gold. They are a mail-in gold refinery, meaning that they will buy your gold items and melt them down. Cash4Gold is a good option for people who own old or broken gold jewelry or other items that are no longer attractive or desirable to wear. If you wish to sell newer and more attractive-looking gold jewerly, you will likely receive more money by selling your items to a local jeweler in your area, or to a pawn shop. That is because gold jewelry is sold at a premium price that can be much higher than the value of the item’s metal alone. The premium price covers things like quality of design and craftsmanship. But a refinery like Cash4Gold will simply melt down your items, so they don’t care if your items are resaleable or not. They will simply pay you a price based on the official spot price of your jewelry’s constituent metal (plus they will charge a transaction fee of some sort).

The things you should know about your gold before selling it are its karatage (which should be printed somewhere on the item, its weight in gold, and if possible also its resale value, so you can know whether to sell to a refinery or to a pawn shop or jeweler instead. Getting your item appraised by a reputable dealer might be a good idea. You should also be aware of the terms of your agreement with the buyer of your gold. If you have intentions to buy your item back, you should be sure to check how much time you have to do so, and the specific terms surrounding the buyback. When you are dealing with valuable items that might have special meaning to you, the last thing you want is any kind of disappointing surprise that deprives you of your cherished item.

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