Precious Metals

Lebanon’s Banks Have the Highest Cash Reserve Ratios in the World

"There are three features that distinguish the Lebanese financial system: 1. The banks have the highest cash reserve ratios in the world. 2. The central bank holds the second highest gold reserves on a per person basis. 3. Real financial privacy. Lebanon is also one of the few countries left in the world that still has real financial privacy, both in theory and in practice… just not for Americans, though, thanks to FATCA, which Lebanon has indicated it will comply with. Additionally, Lebanon ranks only behind Switzerland in terms of gold reserves per person according to this chart below from The Economist." Continue reading →

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Zimbabwe to Seize Mines While Compensating Banks

"The government and black Zimbabweans will take half of the value of assets it has identified in the economy, he said. The state empowerment fund has so far acquired about $1 billion in assets, he said. The government will open a new stock exchange to trade the black-owned stakes in the companies, he said. Trading at the Harare Stock Exchange may start within 100 days of the new government taking office and will only be open to black Zimbabweans, he said. Investments in Zimbabwe will be protected by the government as long as companies do not seek to exploit the country without its people benefiting, Kasukuwere said." Continue reading →

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Gold, the Titanic & Lifeboats – Why it’s Important to Own Physical Gold

"Why it is so important to own physical gold in the actual context and why the spot price doesn't matter that much in determining the real value of gold. We try to explain this by making an historical parallel with the Titanic shipwreck." Continue reading →

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What’s in the Vault?

"The request represented less than 5% of all the gold that the Fed officially holds in its New York vaults. (Interestingly, an earlier request by Germany to inspect its assets was denied by the Fed). Despite the relatively small request (relative to the total holdings), repatriation is expected by 2020. Perhaps for fear that she may be 'persuaded' to accept being 'cash-settled' with U.S. dollars in lieu of gold, Germany dared not complain. The letter issued on April 1, 2013 by Dutch State-owned ABN-AMRO bank to holders of paper claims to gold and silver held in its vaults advised that any physical metal custodied at the bank would in the future be 'cash-settled'." Continue reading →

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In decline: the changing face of the world’s highest grade gold mines

"Many of the world's gold miners are struggling to keep their heads above water at current gold prices. A fact that many investors are struggling to understand given the hefty increase in gold prices seen over the last decade. Granted, prices of the yellow metal have fallen sharply from their highs but, they are considerably higher than they were at the start of the bull run. One of the main reasons given by gold miners for this is the fact that gold mines are not what they once were, many are old and the replacement ounces that are being found are of much lower grade." Continue reading →

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New Silver Liberty Dollar QR Coin Obtains Live Bitcoin Prices

"Vaughn Perling had the courage to issue The New Liberty Dollar with a strikingly similar appearance to that of the NORFED Liberty Dollar while von NotHaus was awaiting sentencing on counterfeiting and fraud charges. However, Vaughn Perling added a disclaimer to his website that the purchaser acknowledges that The New Liberty Dollar is a 'silver piece medallion, and not any government issued coin.' The new QR engraved medallions enable a user of the coin to obtain real-time 'manufacturer’s suggested trade value' which is based on the silver spot market price. The price will be in Bitcoin as well as other crypto and national currencies." Continue reading →

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Estate auction set for $6.5 million gold coin fortune amassed by Nevada recluse

"The final treasures of a quiet man who collected a fortune in gold coins will be auctioned off Tuesday in Nevada. The body of Walter Samaszko Jr. was found in his Carson City home in June 2012. A cleaning crew hired to tidy his modest, ranch style home where he had lived for four decades came upon a stunning discovery — boxes and boxes full of gold coins and bullion collected over an unassuming lifetime. It was enough to fill two wheelbarrows. The fortune, after taxes, will go to Samaszko's only surviving cousin, Arlene Magdanz of San Rafael, Calif. A substitute teacher, Magdanz has shunned media attention and not spoken publicly about her new-found riches." Continue reading →

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Poor Economy = Low Gold Price?

"By the time 1979 hit, inflation was rising, gas prices were soaring, incomes were dropping, and mortgage rates were climbing. The S&P was rising, but not so much in real terms. GDP growth was high, but it was clearly not a rosy time for consumers or workers. So how did gold perform during this challenging economic environment? The gold price rose 23% in 1977 and 37% in 1978, both of which are considered economic expansion years. But as things worsened in 1979, the price accelerated and went into a mania, ending the year with an incredible 127% return." Continue reading →

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Nazi gold and currency wars – A full guide

"Nazi gold is a phrase that refers to the bullion looted by the Nazis in the run up to and during the Second World War. Gold clearly plays a strong role in history and features as both a political and economic weapon during the Wars of the 20th Century. Upon invasion Nazis would loot a country’s gold reserves, along with other valuable assets, and promptly work to devalue the sovereign currency. This pillage of the financial system is not well known but it served effectively as a weapon in their campaign to take-down whole nations. The Nazis consolidated their power by holding gold whilst their victims were consigned to weak paper currencies." Continue reading →

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MIT researches find gold can control blood clotting

"Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists, funded by the US National Science Foundation, have come up with a new technique to control blood clotting by using gold. The method involves small particles of gold and the use of infrared laser light. According to the researchers, who published their findings in the PLoS One journal, one of the main advantages of this method is that coagulation can be turned on or off as needed. Wound healing, surgery and other conditions require handling this process, mainly through the use of anticoagulants such as heparin or warfarin. However, reversing the effects of these drugs is difficult." Continue reading →

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