Some investors prefer silver bullion to gold for several key reasons. Lower cost, ratio-to-gold prices, and a high industrial demand are the most common. Yet like gold, silver has struggled in the first quarter of 2013, sliding more than seven percent since the first of the year. Many would argue silver is in a bear…
Copper Bullion: Beware of “Mint Poured” or “Hand Poured” Claims
Some investors still have a lot to learn when it comes to copper bullion. It’s a relatively new investment opportunity many feel will one day rival silver in its popularity. With so many being new to buying copper coins and bars, some unethical dealers are taking advantage of people’s inexperience with this vital metal. Like…
2013: Copper Starts Strong, Weakens Thanks to Broader Selloff
After kicking off the year with better-than-expected trade data from China — and slow, ongoing economic recovery in the US — copper teamed up with other commodities in a sharp selloff last week. By market close on Friday, copper had retreated from its February high of $3.7820 per pound. During the first half of this…
What is Barter? – How Silver Can Serve as a Currency Alternative
It occurred to us recently – some of our posts and commentary here at Provident Metals discuss gold, silver coins and even copper coins as an alternative means of exchange. Much of this discussion has centered on the use of precious metal coins to “barter” for goods and services rather than using traditional U.S. Dollars….
AOCS – The Bridge to a New Way of Trade?
Have you ever browsed our online store, come across a coin labeled AOCS Approved and scratched your head wondering what in the world that means? The American Open Currency Standard—widely known as AOCS—was developed to allow gold, silver and copper to be used in commercial trade and barter. (Coins that are AOCS Approved should not…
Despite Losing Some Gains, Gold and Silver Hold On Strong
As we head into the final quarter of 2012, it’s time to take stock of what’s going on in the gold and silver markets. In the third quarter—August and September specifically—both metals saw tremendous gains from their summer lows. At the beginning of the third quarter (July 1), gold hovered around the $1600/oz mark for…
