Forget the Cu bullion scam. Zn is the next big thing!

[Rusty Shackelford]

Comm'on Provident!! This is snake oil stuff. $23.84/lb when spot is running about $1

http://www.providentmetals.com/1-avdp-oz-995-fine-zinc-coin-morgan-dollar-design.html

historical charts from kitco
http://www.kitcometals.com/charts/zinc_historical.html

[Argentium]

Comm'on Provident!! This is snake oil stuff. $23.84/lb when spot is running about $1

http://www.providentmetals.com/1-avdp-oz-995-fine-zinc-coin-morgan-dollar-design.html

historical charts from kitco
http://www.kitcometals.com/charts/zinc_historical.html
Jesus Christ on a bicycle! I thought you were kidding, until I clicked the link. Where's CcJoe on this? Time to add to that secure storage for all that Cu bullion, with this fine Zn "bullion". :deal:

[Rusty Shackelford]

I just sent them an email expressing my displeasure in their going down this road.

[~BS]

loll...

that kind of stuff has been on ebay for a while already. all sorts of base metals. lol

[Argentium]

I just sent them an email expressing my displeasure in their going down this road.
I think it does tarnish their image as a respectable seller of PMs, with this base metal "bullion" sideline biz. However, they probably get a sizable ROI on this sideshow. PT Barnum, where are you?

[Argentsum]

Well if fifty of us got together and each ponied up a grand we could go "all in" on a copper mini futures contract.

We'd have a few logistical hurdles to manage but each party would receive 250 lbs of copper.

Delivery and mailing something like this would probably run another $150 a head.

That all said, I don't really need 250 lbs of copper. Whose going to buy it when you decide to sell?

The local recycling center?

[Irons]

Zinc, like copper is best collected for FREE from the nations penny dishes. Effing ridiculous.

[minimus]

The only base "metal" I collect and keep. Not that its such a great investment but because its a rare curiosity.

It takes 500 tons of a raw copper to yield a single pound of this ... but not all copper ores produce it .... usually found in high grade gold ore.

9982

[PM Stacker]

Good one Mimimus, you made me have to find out what it was. Google saved me.
I never even heard of that metal before. Wiki said it was mildly toxic, so please be careful with it.

[Argentium]

The only base "metal" I collect and keep. Not that its such a great investment but because its a rare curiosity.

It takes 500 tons of a raw copper to yield a single pound of this ... but not all copper ores produce it .... usually found in high grade gold ore.


I'm guessing here, bismuth, tellurium or gallium?

[minimus]

Te52, its toxicity is greatly over stated.

Very rare and high tech stuff: thin film solar PV (huge demand squeeze going on), high capacity Blueray CDs, phase change optical memory (will eliminate disc drives), thermoelectric coolers and thermoelectric generators.

[Goldhedge]

The 1st Test Run of Zinc BULLION IS HERE!
Each of these Morgan Dollar design Coins contains
1 Avoirdupois Ounce of .995 Fine Zinc and will
arrive in Brilliant Uncirculated condition!
Orders of 20 or more arrive in a tube.


We should order 20 just to get 'the tube'!

[Argentium]

Te52, its toxicity is greatly over stated.

Very rare and high tech stuff: thin film solar PV (huge demand squeeze going on), high capacity Blueray CDs, phase change optical memory (will eliminate disc drives), thermoelectric coolers and thermoelectric generators.

We use tellurium everyday in my biz (not so high-tech). It is used in our thermal analysis instruments, where we pour molten iron into a cup that has a blob of Te in the bottom with a thermocouple and it has a drastic chilling effect on the molten iron, so we can get cooling curve data rapidly, to determine a variety of values from the curve, When Te melts/burns, it has a foul smell, somewhat like rotten garlic. I've been breathing Te vapor for over 30 years.

[minimus]

We use tellurium everyday in my biz (not so high-tech). It is used in our thermal analysis instruments, where we pour molten iron into a cup that has a blob of Te in the bottom with a thermocouple and it has a drastic chilling effect on the molten iron, so we can get cooling curve data rapidly, to determine a variety of values from the curve, When Te melts/burns, it has a foul smell, somewhat like rotten garlic. I've been breathing Te vapor for over 30 years.

I don't breath the stuff but have handle it, no big deal. I think they spike steel with Te to make it more machinable.

If First Solar (FSLR) keeps gobbling up the Te reserves others might find out its as rare as platinum ...

[cpthnsolo]

The 5 year zinc chart looks bad enough, but wait until they finally discontinue pennies. Zinc will fall off the cliff...


We use tellurium everyday in my biz (not so high-tech).

I like to mention tellurium on occasion to those obsessed with a GSR of 16:1 because that's loosely the ratio of Ag to Au in the earth's crust. Some silver bugs don't like to be reminded that there are metals out there rarer than gold, but yet are only worth a fraction of the price. Thanks for posting that pic minimus.

:bear_w00t:

[ccjoe]

Jesus Christ on a bicycle! I thought you were kidding, until I clicked the link. Where's CcJoe on this? Time to add to that secure storage for all that Cu bullion, with this fine Zn "bullion". :deal:

Zinc has NO 9000 year history of coinage as cu does.
In 1943 it was used to cover the steel nickels because cu was SO VALUABLE for the war effort. http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/fun_facts/?action=fun_facts2
In my mind, cu is the last stop and the only stop on the semi-precious trail.

[southfork]

Dont know as if I'd call it a scam, just as in silver coins, eagles, bars, ect, there is a cost to mint, market and deliver the coins, look at the markup on eagles, over 3 bucks each minimum.

[Rusty Shackelford]

Ok maybe not a scamm but a really really really really really really bad idea.

[cpthnsolo]

According to this site (http://www.elementsales.com/ecoins_desc.htm) Te is too brittle to press into a coin. I would really like a round or bar of the stuff though just for the heck of it. Has anyone ever seen such a thing?

[Irons]

Look at me, I have Iron bullion!!!

I had it minted in these unique forms so it cannot roll away like coins can.

I will be opening a website where these can be bought by the Troy Pound, we will accept paypal and feature free shipping!!

Get in NOW before the price explodes on this rare and desirable bullion!!!!~:deal:



10125

[Rusty Shackelford]

The unique shape of this "iron bullion" is intriguing to say the least.

[Irons]

The unique shape of this "iron bullion" is intriguing to say the least.

I figure it will be huge. One will have to have it guarded by sharks with freaking lasers.

[cpthnsolo]

10130

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[minimus]

According to this site (http://www.elementsales.com/ecoins_desc.htm) Te is too brittle to press into a coin. I would really like a round or bar of the stuff though just for the heck of it. Has anyone ever seen such a thing?

The same site sells poured rounds, 30 to 90 gram (1 to 3 oz), no markings. They pour the rounds in a vacuum chamber and the complex crystal surface appears as it cools. Purity is .999

The 90 gram ingot is a better buy, well under the price of Ag. With global production at about 400 ton vs 26,000 ton for Ag.

Rarity means nothing in the business world of commodities, consumption is the key to value.

If you're interested in large ingots (kilo) try ASARCO (that's if First Solar, "FSLR" hasn't already contracted all their production ...).

Chinese exports are running about $350 a kilo.

10142


Another "minor" metal that's a real pain to track is Scandium. Scandium is in the middle of a global market lock-up. I'm surprised no one here has mentioned the global squeeze on a rarity that has no primary mining operation, anywhere. World production of scandium is in the order of 2 tonnes per year in the form of scandium oxide. The production of metallic scandium is in the order of 10 kg per year.


Scrambling for Scandium - http://www.raremetalblog.com/2011/04/scrambling-for-scandium.html


-mm

[Not Sure]

I just sent them an email expressing my displeasure in their going down this road.

Capitalism at its finest!

I'm not sure what the problem is. I hear it around here all the time: don't like the price, don't buy it. :bird:

The love of money is the root of all evil, and even the best must guard against corruption therefrom.

[Not Sure]

Te52, its toxicity is greatly over stated.


Even iron, a necessary nutrient, is toxic. It's all a matter of dose. Don't put Tellurium in your mouth, and don't breath the dust, and you're fine. It isn't Plutonium.

[Not Sure]

Another "minor" metal that's a real pain to track is Scandium. Scandium is in the middle of a global market lock-up. I'm surprised no one here has mentioned the global squeeze on a rarity that has no primary mining operation, anywhere. World production of scandium is in the order of 2 tonnes per year in the form of scandium oxide. The production of metallic scandium is in the order of 10 kg per year.


Scrambling for Scandium - http://www.raremetalblog.com/2011/04/scrambling-for-scandium.html


-mm

There's a whole list of Rare Earths that should be watched, if one is into "esoteric" metals. China has the largest stash, which brings anxiety to those who depend on RE elements.

My wife has a Kazakh Silver/Tantalum Sputnik Commemoration coin, that is really cool. Sputnik was launched from what is now Kazakh territory.

[minimus]

There's a whole list of Rare Earths that should be watched, if one is into "esoteric" metals. China has the largest stash, which brings anxiety to those who depend on RE elements.

My wife has a Kazakh Silver/Tantalum Sputnik Commemoration coin, that is really cool. Sputnik was launched from what is now Kazakh territory.


Its interesting to note the Russians have complete control of existing above ground Scandium reserves. The metal gives aluminum superior strength in space/rocket design.

[Mr. Shiny]

Zinc has NO 9000 year history of coinage as cu does.
In 1943 it was used to cover the steel nickels because cu was SO VALUABLE for the war effort. http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/fun_facts/?action=fun_facts2
In my mind, cu is the last stop and the only stop on the semi-precious trail.

And the hits, they just keep coming!

Joey, Joey, Joey, steel nickels? Zinc plated steel nickels huh?

Here's a fun fact for you, wartime nickels were over half copper, a reduction of 19% Cu and the entire 25% of Ni content.

Once again Joe, read before you link, you stuck your foot in your mouth with 'Interesting Story' because you skimmed, and again here.

One more fun fact, there is no such thing as semi-precious metals.
Ah, what the hell, one more 'fun fact' , Hmmm, Copper and bacon grease, so valuable.

A is for Apple, like in a pie.
B is for Butter, which is hard to buy.
C is for Cuff.....which you can put this gas on Bud.

[Argentium]

According to this site (http://www.elementsales.com/ecoins_desc.htm) Te is too brittle to press into a coin. I would really like a round or bar of the stuff though just for the heck of it. Has anyone ever seen such a thing?
Hell, if you want, I could send you a couple blobs of the stuff, from our TA cups. Fairly unimpressive looking. PM me if you want them.