Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on rare precious metals. (See the Precious Metals section.)
Precious Metals (Rare Precious Metals):
World’s Five Most Expensive Precious Metals
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The Most “Precious” Precious Metals in the World
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One company that sells very rare metals in semi-coin form (disk ingots) is Rare World Metals Mint, in Ohio. Note that the minting costs are high, so it is not cost effective to invest in base metals, in this form. Also note that the level of trust in these metals in a post-collapse barter situation is quite dubious. For barter, I recommend that you buy silver in its most recognizable forms. (Namely, pre-1965 U.S. silver coins and U.S. Mint Silver Eagles. )
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For those with an interest, Kitco sells Baird & Co. Rhodium coins.
Cryptos:
Circle Survey Finds Twice As Many Men Invest in Cryptocurrencies As Women
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Kidnapped South African Tycoon Released for 50 Bitcoins Ransom: Report. (JWR’s Comment: Hopefully, when paying the ransom, they thought ahead and slightly over-payed. (Such as: 50.00014359 BTC.) A distinctive number will be easier for detectives to track through the blockchain with any hope of identifying the recipient.
Economy & Finance:
At Wolf Street: Meanwhile in China, Implosion of Stock-Market Double-Bubble
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Tyler Durden: America’s Fake-Money System: Honest Work For Dishonest Pay
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Also at Zero Hedge: For The First Time In 10 Years, Companies Have Spent More On Buybacks Than CapEx
Tangibles Investing:
9 High-End Handguns Actually Worth the Money
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Speaking of high end, Nighthawk Custom is a favorite in the “Doctors and Lawyers” gun crowd. I definitely wouldn’t be offended if someone gave me one. Nighthawk 1911s give new meaning to the term “precious metals.”
Provisos:
SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for our detailed disclaimers.
News Tips:
Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who particularly watch individual markets. And due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” investing news. We often get the scoop on economic and investing news that is probably ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
Who do you recommend as a source for 1964[and earlier] silver?
There are lots of reputable dealers out there. Shop locally at coin stores and pawn shops if you want to buy anonymously, and pay in CASH. Always comparison price, before you buy. If you don’t mind a paper trail, then some of the larger Internet firms like APMEX and Kitco have competitive prices. Silver Gold Bull (https://silvergoldbull.com/) also has competitive prices. They are based in Canada, but sell to both Canada and the States. They are one of the few firms that I’ve found that readily accepts Bitcoin, directly from a buyer’s BTC wallet. (No exchange service needed.)
Again, compare prices and beware of shipping costs. (That should be part of your comparison pricing.)
Franklin Sanders, a.k.a. The Moneychanger
https://the-moneychanger.com/
He used to have a very entertaining blog but pretty much closed shop after his wife passed away(understandable), thought he had gone out of business.
Nope, still in business and sending out his “almost daily” comments.
Is there anyplace where I can go to or send a sample of metal that I have for analysis?
I have a couple of ounces of a metal that I acquired in bb pellet form, and was able to melt it into a solid “round” using a MEPP torch. So, I have no idea what it is, just that I don’t think that it’s lead; it hasn’t dulled/oxidized, it’s still as bright as when it was “formed”. And, if I remember correctly, someone did a nitric acid test on it and said it wasn’t silver.
There are indeed tests for metals in the platinum metals group. Check with your local large jewelry store that also does mountings/fabrication.
I’ve got a Nighthawk Raptor and High Power, both excellent guns.
As a Thank You from some former students, I received a $4000 credit to Wilson Combat. I used that to get a suppressor-ready AR, a pistol AR upper, a couple of slings and spare parts for both of them. Something I would’ve never bought for myself, but it’s one of the best shooting ARs I’ve ever used. It’s been through multiple classes, and I can’t make it stop. Quality lasts.