Why is the Monex price of Euro Silver Philharmonics less than U.S. coins?
*The Wall Street Journal, by Ianthe Jeanne Dugan, May 23, 2008:
"Curb on Coin Sales Angers Collectors - U.S. Begins Rationing
The government rationed food during World War II and gasoline in the
1970s. Now, it's imposing quotas on another precious commodity: 2008
dollar coins known as silver eagles.
The coins, each containing about an ounce of silver, have become so
popular among investors seeking alternatives to stocks and real estate
that the U.S. Mint can't make them fast enough. In March, the mint
stopped taking orders for the bullion coins. Late last month, it began
limiting how many coins its 13 authorized buyers world-wide are allowed
to purchase."
"The mint, a bureau of the U.S. Treasury, has offered little
explanation beyond a memo last month to its dealers. 'The unprecedented
demand for American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins necessitates our
allocating these coins on a weekly basis until we are able to meet
demand,' the mint wrote. A spokesman declined to elaborate.
'Poor Man's Gold'
The rare shortage offers a glimpse into the growing love of a commodity
known as 'poor man's gold.' With more silver mined than gold
traditionally, silver has always been far cheaper than gold and today
has less than 2% of gold's value.
But silver is growing in popularity, and some investors are betting
that its value will surge as inventory shrinks. Big investors are
loading up on silver eagles, which are the only American silver coins
allowed in individual retirement plans. For small investors, they are
an accessible way to get into the metal boom."
Lady Liberty
"The government began producing silver eagles in 1986, basing its
design on Adolph Weinman's 1916 'Walking Liberty' half dollar. The
front features a flag-draped Lady Liberty striding toward the sunrise,
carrying branches of laurel and oak symbolizing civil and military
glory. On the reverse, a design by John Mercanti features an eagle with
a shield, olive branch, and talon and arrows.
The coins are made at an armored facility in West Point, N.Y.,
alongside the military academy. Dealers say they heard the mint had run
out of planchets -- round metal disks ready to be struck into coins.
The disks are used for various coins, and the companies producing the
blanks also are busy, limiting the mint's ability to increase
production. The mint won't comment on the planchets."
*This information is solely a highlight of the opinion of a third-party publication and is incomplete. Please subscribe to this publication for the full and timely opinion of the author and call a Monex Account Representative for any additional up-to-date information. This is not an offer to buy or sell precious metals. Investors should obtain advice based on their own individual circumstances and understand the risk before making any investment decision.
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