Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Bullion Coins Made Of Platinum - Are They Worth Investing In?

By Wayne Brunson


Platinum, a precious metal, is not anymore normally seen in the investor's market. The metal was discovered in the 16th century however only in the year 1750 was it discovered abundantly. Within finance industry, platinum isn't utilized as payment. It is still obtainable now but not as needed as it was in the past. Only the most famous mints globally produce platinum bullion coins.

Platinum was found by the Americans natives however it was just in the Spanish conquest of the New World was it recognized by the scientists of Europe to be a precious metal. According to research from earlier European scientists, platinum was discovered as an element of chemistry that wouldn't dissolve through flames. This discovery sooner or later made the way for the manufacture of platinum coins.

Platinum wasn't abundant with supply. Until now, Columbia is still the only major maker of this commodity throughout the world and it's ceased exporting the rare metal. It was in the late 19th century that platinum was proven to be quite as valuable as silver and gold. This was when the Russian government began making the element into roubles and minted 500,000 ounces using it. This was the first coins made of platinum.

When the worth of platinum increased together with the Arab Oil Embargo episode 35 years ago, demand for platinum grew. The interest in platinum coins also spread out throughout Europe and the United States wherein 2 platinum mints, namely Engelhard Corporation and Johnson Matthew & Co. Ltd. started manufacturing platinum bullion in 1 and 10 troy ounces.

3 decades ago, the original Noble platinum coin was issued in The Isle of Man. This event sparked the curiosity of various other mints to mint their platinum coins including Australia and Canada. The introduction of the platinum bullion coin did not happen in the US until 1997 with the release of the first platinum American Eagle.

Platinum is not used worldwide to be a sort of money even with its release and production by famous coin makers in the world. Some of the coins made of platinum nowadays became a sort of a hobbyist's item than an established legal tender. Only these coins made of platinum continue to be in the industry: American Platinum Eagle, Australian Platinum Koala, Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf, Russian Federation platinum bullion coins, and Chinese Platinum Panda.

Among this selection, only the mintage of the American Eagle has continued having the recent minting carried out in 3 years ago. Apart from the American Eagle, mintage of nearly all platinum coins has stopped.

There came an occasion when platinum traded with approximately the exact price of gold, the exact reason demand for the precious metal rose. It was this trade price tag that brought about the whole manufacturing of American Eagle Platinum Coins in 1997 and 1998. However, once the value of platinum moved even greater, investor interest reduced, lessening the mintage of the coins made of platinum also. Present value for this metal is around $1,041 per ounce.




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