Royal Mint Runs Out of Sovereign Gold Coins on “Exceptional” Demand

Published on 9 January 2014

Today’s AM fix was USD 1,226.00, EUR 900.61 and GBP 744.97 per ounce.
Yesterday’s AM fix was USD 1,226.50, EUR 902.50 and GBP 747.37 per ounce.

Gold fell $7.40 or 0.6% yesterday, closing at $1,224.90/oz. Silver slipped $0.31 or 1.56% closing at $19.56/oz. Platinum inched down $0.26, or 0.26%, to $1,410.49/oz and palladium fell $5.03 or 0.7%, to $733.47/oz.

Gold is slightly higher today but lower this week. Investor sentiment remains extremely bearish but physical buyers continue to accumulate at these low prices. The UK Royal Mint has run out of 2014 British gold sovereigns due to unprecedented demand.

Gold in U.S. Dollars, 5 Year - (Bloomberg)

Respected technical research analyst Louise Yamada predicts further falls in gold. She estimates a short term 19% drop to $1,000 in 2014. However she remains very bullish on gold in the long term.

Bloomberg’s analyst survey of 15 polled this week were the most bullish in a year on gold with only 2 bearish and four neutral. UBS sees near term support at $1,207.57/oz.

Gold in Euros, 5 Year - (Bloomberg)

The U.K.’s Royal Mint, which traces its history back more than 1,000 years, ran out of 2014 Sovereign gold coins due to “exceptional demand” reported Bloomberg.

Gold in British Pounds, 5 Year - (Bloomberg)

“Since the dip in the price of gold we have seen increased demand for our gold bullion coins from the major coin markets, and this presently shows no sign of abating,” the U.K. mint commented yesterday. “The Royal Mint continues to supply to its customers and is increasing production to accommodate the higher demand.”

Market demand makes coin stock availability go up and down as in the past wrote the mint in an email. Gold climbed to a three-week high of $1,248.51 on Jan. 6 as physical demand increased, particularly in China.