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San Francisco Mint might close

President Trump and the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have now targeted the San Francisco Mint for closure in a bid to sell the real estate on which the National Register of Historic Places structure stands, theoretically to reduce government expenses.

Mint-wide, the bureau has already trimmed more than 100 full-time staffers, with an edict from DOGE to trim another 200, while the bureau wrestles with vacancies, some of which still need to be filled. Many of the positions trimmed were resolved through resignations and retirements.

Closing the San Francisco Mint could affect the production of many numismatic products, such as Proof sets, silver Proof sets, Proof commemorative coins and Matte silver presidential medals.

Source – Coin World

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States Battle to Restore Gold and Silver

In a powerful and timely interview, Francis Hunt of The Market Sniper sat down with Jp Cortez, Executive Director of the Sound Money Defense League, to discuss the accelerating legislative efforts to restore gold and silver as constitutional money across the United States.

Source – Money Metals – Video Interview

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Copper trade up to $US10,046.50 a ton

Copper traded on the London Metal Exchange has jumped 14 per cent this year and reached $US10,046.50 a tonne on Thursday, the highest since October.

“Traders are redirecting the metal from Asia to take advantage of the price premium and skirt any potential tariffs on the metal,” said ANZ senior commodity strategist Daniel Hynes.

“The US copper rush could leave the rest of the world tight on copper if demand picks up more quickly than expected,” said ING commodity strategist Ewa Manthey.

Source – Financial Review

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JSW Group plans copper smelter by 2028-2029

India’s steel-to-power conglomerate JSW Group plans to set up a 500,000 metric ton capacity copper smelter in the eastern state of Odisha by 2028/29 with feedstock of copper concentrate from Peru and Chile, a source directly aware of the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

JSW plans to feed its planned electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facilities with the copper produced at the smelter, the source added. Some of the concentrate supply will come from Hindustan Copper, the source said.

Source – Reuters

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Citi raises gold price target

“In our bull case, we see gold prices reaching $3,500 per ounce by year-end, underpinned by much higher hedging/investment demand on fears of US hard landing/stagflation,” analysts at Citi said in a note.

Source – Reuters

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Gold hit record high

Spot gold held steady at $3,047.1 an ounce as of 0700 GMT, after hitting a record high of $3,057.21 earlier in the session.

U.S. gold futures gained 0.4% to $3,054.10.

“For now, gold’s appeal as a safe haven and inflation hedge has further strengthened in light of those geopolitical concerns and tariff uncertainty. We remain constructive on the outlook of gold,” said OCBC forex strategist Christopher Wong.

Spot silver was flat at $33.8 an ounce, platinum fell 0.3% to $989.85. Palladium slipped 1% to $949.50.

Source – Reuters

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Chinas Laopu Gold dubbed “Hermes of Gold”

With prices for most of its popular products ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 yuan, Laopu now competes more directly with Western luxury brands such as Tiffany and Cartier.

As rising gold prices in 2024 pushed investors toward bullion and coins and gold jewellery sales in China fell 24.69% to 532.02 tonnes, Laopu twice raised prices on its designer jewellery and trinkets. It again upped prices by 5-12% last month.

But analysts say Laopu is a contender to fully break through the luxury glass ceiling.

“It’s not an imminent threat to global luxury groups because to build a luxury brand takes a long time. You need a story, you need a history, you need the craftsmanship, but it’s possible,” said Jonathan Yan, a principal at consultancy Roland Berger in Shanghai.

Source – Reuters

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Utah bill to allow vendors to be paid in gold and silver

Bill HB306, now awaiting signature from Governor Spencer Cox, authorizes the state treasurer to issue a competitive procurement for a precious metals-backed electronic payment platform. This will allow state vendors to opt for payment in physical gold and silver.

Rep. Kenneth Ivory sponsored Bill HB306, and Sen. Keith Grover pushed the legislation through the Senate. The state politicians noted that the legislation is the latest evolution in Utah’s stance in favor of sound money.

“In uncertain economic times, Utah is providing vendors and service providers with the option to receive payment in gold and silver,” Rep. Ivory said. “This law gives Utahns an alternative to choose how they preserve the purchasing power of their earnings and savings.”

Source – KITCO News

The Lords of Fortune company to recover gold from RMS Republic 1909 shipwreck

The R.M.S. Republic sank Jan. 24, 1909, after a collision in dense fog with the S.S. Florida off the coast of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.

The Lords of Fortune company has identified two cargoes — a $25 million Tsarist gold shipment and an $800,000 U.S. Navy shipment, both 1909 face values when gold was $20.67 per ounce.

With a successful recovery, an $8 million investment should return $200 million conservatively, according to Capt. Martin Bayerle of Lords of Fortune LLC.

Add the Russian gold, 45 tons of United States gold $10 eagles on melt value alone, and you exceed 100 times, he said.

Source – Coin World

This is amazing! Wondering if there’s as much as they say there is. Hopefully there isn’t too much damage to the gold from the salt water. Can’t wait to see pictures or video of the excavation. -V.