Precious Metals News & Analysis - Gold News, Silver News from Money Metals Exchange

The Fed Hiked. Gold Didn’t Get the Memo.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 EST

Welcome to this week’s Market Wrap Podcast, I’m Mike Gleason.

Coming up, we’ll hear a tremendous interview with Chris Powell of the Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee, or GATA. Chris explains why his firm has concluded that the gold futures market in the United States was deliberately created some decades ago expressly to produce a vast imaginary supply of gold for price suppression purposes.

Chris also shares concerns on recently reported story about how stablecoin issuer Tether is now lending out some of its 113 tonnes of gold, which may undermine gold’s primary function as a backing asset.

And then Chris explains how even despite short term fluctuations and various corrections in gold, the massive, potentially uncoverable short position in the gold derivatives market, makes owning the metal a strong long-term bet for investors.

So, be sure to stick around for another wonderful interview between Money Metals’ Mike Maharrey and Chris Powell of GATA, coming up after this week’s market update. And as a reminder, if you enjoy this material, please do us a favor and like and subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume this content.

Well, so much for the idea that higher interest rates automatically mean lower gold and silver prices.

The Federal Reserve raised rates this week for the first time in three years. And if you listened to the conventional Wall Street wisdom, you might have expected precious metals to get clobbered. They did take an initial hit. But then something interesting happened. They turned around.

As we record this Friday morning, gold has pushed back toward $4,400 an ounce, while silver has climbed back to over $67. So, gold has bounced back the last couple of days since the Wednesday Fed announcement, while silver’s comeback is especially noteworthy.

Remember, silver got absolutely hammered during the correction earlier this month. It fell from above $70 an ounce all the way down into the low $60s. But silver has now bounced several dollars off those lows. More importantly, it is beginning to show some technical signs that the correction may have run its course.

Analyst Clive Maund recently took a close look at the silver charts, and he sees several encouraging developments. On the longer-term chart, the recent selloff still looks like a correction within the much larger advance that came before it. Selling pressure also appears to be easing. And on the shorter-term chart, silver appears to be forming what technicians call a “cup-and-handle” pattern.

I’m not going to turn this into a technical-analysis seminar. The basic idea is pretty simple. Silver sold off hard. It found buyers. It rebounded. And now it appears to be building a base from which it could potentially launch another move higher.

If silver can break convincingly above nearby resistance, Maund thinks that would provide additional evidence that a new uptrend is underway. Of course, there are no guarantees when it comes to charts. And if silver has taught us anything this year, it’s that the white metal can make some violent moves in both directions.

But the fact that silver is showing technical strength immediately after the Federal Reserve raised rates is particularly interesting. It flies in the face of one of the most persistent bits of conventional wisdom about precious metals.

You’ve probably heard it a thousand times. Gold doesn’t pay interest. Silver doesn’t pay interest. Therefore, when interest rates rise, investors should dump precious metals and move their money into interest-paying assets.

There is some logic to this. But there’s also a pretty big hole in the argument. It ignores inflation. What ultimately matters isn’t simply how much interest you’re earning. It’s how much purchasing power you’re gaining — or losing — after inflation.

Consider the 1970s. Interest rates rose dramatically during that decade. If higher interest rates were automatically poison for precious metals, gold should have been dead in the water. Instead, gold went on one of the greatest bull runs in its history because inflation was also running rampant.

In 1974, for instance, a 3-month Treasury bill yielded around 7.4 percent. That sounds pretty good — until you realize consumer price inflation peaked around 12 percent that year. That supposedly “high-yielding” Treasury was still losing purchasing power.

And there’s another problem with the higher-rates-equal-lower-gold narrative. Why is the Fed raising rates in the first place? Well, because inflation is becoming a big problem. And why do people buy gold? Well, one of the big reasons is because inflation is a problem.

So, the very conditions forcing the Fed to raise rates can also strengthen the case for owning precious metals.

And then we have the elephant sitting in the room. Debt.

The federal government is carrying roughly $40 trillion of debt. Higher interest rates make financing that enormous debt load more expensive. That means bigger interest payments. Bigger deficits. More borrowing. And eventually, even more pressure on the Federal Reserve and the monetary system.

This is why we’re skeptical when people confidently tell us the Fed is simply going to crank interest rates higher and leave them there until inflation disappears. There is a price to pay for doing that. And with this much debt sloshing around the system, that price gets very expensive very quickly.

So, while everybody obsesses over whether the Fed hikes another quarter-point at its next meeting, something much bigger is happening underneath the surface. Governments, central banks, institutions, and wealthy investors around the world continue positioning themselves for a monetary system in which gold plays an increasingly important role.

And one of the clearest signs is what’s happening in Asia.

Singapore is rapidly building itself into a major gold trading and storage hub. And apparently, they’re running out of room.

DBS Group, Southeast Asia’s largest lender, is expanding its bullion storage capacity because of growing demand from private-wealth and institutional customers. OCBC Bank has also reportedly been talking with precious-metals storage providers about securing additional space. Deutsche Bank is considering similar moves.

And Le Freeport — the giant high-security facility sometimes called “Asia’s Fort Knox” — is reportedly running short of premium basement vaulting space.

Think about that for a second. While Western investors debate whether they should sell gold because the Fed moved interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, institutions in Asia are scrambling to find places to put physical bullion.

Singapore already has at least 2,200 tonnes of privately operated gold-storage capacity. And the Monetary Authority of Singapore plans to make its own vaulting facilities available to sovereign entities and foreign central banks.

Singapore is also preparing to launch an over-the-counter gold clearing system through the Singapore Exchange, designed to handle both the 400-ounce bars common in Western markets and the 1-kilogram bars favored in Asia.

Hong Kong is making similar moves. It has revamped its gold futures market, launched a clearing and settlement system, and plans to expand vaulting capacity to 2,000 tonnes over the next three years.

This isn't happening by accident. For decades, London, New York, and Switzerland have dominated the global gold trade. But gold has increasingly been moving from West to East. And now the infrastructure is following the metal.

New vaults. New clearing systems. More physical settlement. More capacity for central banks and institutional investors.

That strikes us as a much more important long-term story than whether the Fed funds rate goes up another quarter-point. And it also helps explain why gold has been so resilient.

The old playbook says higher interest rates should crush gold. But gold isn't trading solely on what the Federal Reserve does anymore. Central banks are buying. Asian demand remains strong. New physical gold infrastructure is being built. And governments around the world continue piling up debt and debasing their currencies.

Well before we get to this week’s interview let’s recap the market action here.

Gold, platinum and palladium are all seeing very small gains for the week. Gold is up about $30 or 0.7% to check in at $4,390 an ounce. Platinum is up less than 0.5% to come in at $1,818. And palladium is up 0.3% to trade at $1,330.

But silver, as we mentioned earlier, is outlier – having moved up more than $2 an ounce this week or 3.4% to come in at $67.37 an ounce as of this Friday late morning recording.

Next week will be telling for the white metal. Perhaps the rally will fizzle out after the big advances we’ve seen here each of the last couple of days of this week. Or maybe we will see some follow-through and another run at $70 and possibly beyond in the days ahead. Time will tell, so stay tuned.

Well now, without further delay, let’s get right to this week's exclusive interview.

Mike Maharrey: Greetings. I'm Mike Maharrey and I'm joined today by Chris Powell. Chris is the secretary and treasurer and one of the directors at the Gold Antitrust Action Committee, also known for GATA for short. He is a fellow journalist having served as the managing editor of the Journal Enquirer in Manchester, Connecticut from 1974 to 2018 and has been following the gold and silver markets for quite some time as well. How you doing today, Chris?

Chris Powell: Oh, I'm very glad to be with you, Mike.

Mike Maharrey: Well, it's a pleasure to have you on the show as well today. It's always fun to talk to you. You're one of the people that makes me laugh. I wish people could read our email exchanges because you're funny. But anyway, before we get into the current goings on in the markets, I really would like for you to just take a moment and let folks know what GATA does so they have some context about what you do. I know a lot of folks have heard you before, but for folks who don't know, just kind of give the elevator pitch for GATA's work.

Chris Powell: Well, we formed in late 1998 to investigate and expose and complain about and litigate against what we saw as manipulation of the gold market. We were also interested in silver. We, I guess, incorporated as a 501 tax exempt organization in early 1999. After a year or two, we figured that our original plan, which was to sue the bastards for rigging the market, was not likely to work because the bastards were the government and the government was fully authorized by the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 to rig not just the gold market in secret, but to rig any market in the world in secret. And our lawyers told us that we were probably out of luck suing for the manipulation that way. The government was fully authorized to manipulate market surreptitiously. We decided then that, well, all we could do is try to gather the documentation and expose the manipulation because it could work only in secret by deceiving people.

We figured if we could expose it widely enough, we would defeat it that way.

Well, we were a little naive thinking that we'd get much attention from mainstream financial news organizations, but 26 years later, we have gotten a fair amount of publicity around the world. I know we have brought our work to the attention of central banks, and I think all major central banks know about our work and know about the manipulation now and are responding to what they know and what they've learned from us. But manipulation of the gold and silver markets is not over. In fact, just the other day, the United States Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, boasted in public that he was manipulating the currency markets. He declared, "I am the house. Bet against me if you want." I don't know why we should have too much trouble now convincing people of gold market manipulation since the treasury secretary is admitting that he is the house.

I mean, that's basically what we've been saying for 26 years.

But anyway, we've done a good job, I think, exposing the manipulation. We have more challenges in getting the documentation around because mainstream financial news organizations do not want to cross the government on this issue, but we're still at it. We put out dispatches every day. We invite people to sign up for our mailing list, and we certainly welcome contributions since we're federally tax exempt in the United States. Donations to GATA are federally tax deductible in the United States. And of course, you may get on a troublesome list if you donate to GATA. I mean, we have to report our donors over, I guess, $5,000, but I don't think anything's happened to our donors yet. So, I'm still hopeful that we can make trouble without going to jail.

Mike Maharrey: Nice. Yeah, you guys do a fantastic job, and I can sympathize with the difficulty of getting mainstream attention. It's hard to even get them to pay attention to gold, much less manipulation. So you're definitely fighting an uphill battle, but fighting it well and appreciate all of the resources that you bring to the table. And it's also nice for folks who don't follow your work, you not only cover the manipulation, but you guys do a great job of just covering the gold market in general. You highlight a lot of the work we do over at Money Metals in reporting just regular market news. And so if you're not on GATA's mailing list, I would highly encourage you to get on it because you'll get a really good overview of what's going on in both the gold and silver markets as well as the currency markets too.

So, thank you for that. We appreciate the support that you guys give to us over at Money Metals. So before we get into the gold manipulation, I wanted to just touch on the Fed meeting that just wrapped up yesterday as we're recording this. So, it wrapped up on Wednesday and the central bank decided to raise interest rates by a quarter point, and I don't think anybody was shocked by that, but I just wanted to bring it up because I would argue that the Fed is the ultimate financial system manipulator because they're literally manipulating the price of money. What were your thoughts on the rate hike? What kind of effect do you think that it might have? And I guess maybe give your view on whether you think it was the right move or not, although I'm not sure that there is a right move when it comes to central banks playing with money prices, but I just … Yeah, go ahead.

Chris Powell: From the point of view of the way the Fed does business, of course they can see that as the right move. I just inclined to your commentary today that a quarter point increase in interest rates is nothing compared to the continuing explosion of deficit financing by the US government. I mean, practically every couple of weeks there's another trillion dollars on the deficit and a quarter point interest rate increase. I mean, that's nothing. In fact, hardly anything is something compared to the deficit spending in the United States. We're in an age now in the United States and really around the world too of infinite money creation and infinite money creation is infinite price inflation. It's infinite government power, it's infinite corruption. To bother with a quarter point increase in interest rates in these circumstances, it just strikes me as absurd.

Mike Maharrey: Yeah. It's almost like throwing a bucket of water in the ocean, right?

Chris Powell: Yeah.

Mike Maharrey: But it's interesting because I would argue, and I think you'll probably agree with me, that this massive expansion of the money supply that is really necessary when you have this level of government spending and borrowing, that's part of the reason that the powers that be feel the need to manipulate the gold market, right? Would that be a fair assessment?

Chris Powell: Yes. It's part of the deceptive purposes of gold price suppression policy. It was to conceal inflation, conceal the implications of government deficits, and they've been getting away with it for a long time, but they haven't been getting away with it terribly well over the last year and a half or so.

Mike Maharrey: Yeah, it's interesting because I think a lot of this attempt to hold things in place is starting to unravel a little bit. You mentioned Bessent and his efforts to manipulate the currency markets, and we saw him trying to poke around and push down the yields on the long end of the bond market and didn't work. I think maybe four or five years ago…

Chris Powell: Worked for a few hours…

Mike Maharrey: Well, yeah, that's true! I'm being a little bit unfair. Yes. Yeah, for a minute or so. But yeah, so it's interesting to watch them scramble to try to keep a lid on things. Let's talk a little bit about some of the other issues that are in the news that might lend to this or feed into this discussion. I wanted you to speak a little bit about the news that London financial regulators are starting to talk about tokenizing gold. Now, I don't think a lot of people really understands what that means, and I honestly haven't really followed closely this kind of tokenization thing that's going on. Can you explain first off, what are they talking about doing, and in your view, what are the ramifications?

Chris Powell: Well, I think it's just another mechanism, an entity that they give to people and say this represents gold and you can have it if you want to. London is full of paper gold. The United States is full of paper gold. It's gold that is not really gold, but it is a pledge by a financial institution to give you gold if you want it or to hold your gold for you. The problem with futures contracts and paper gold has been that the gold at the base of the system has been vastly oversubscribed. That was the whole purpose of creating the gold futures market in the United States was to create a vast imaginary supply of gold that could be used for price suppression and the confidence that people accepting paper gold would never turn it in for real metal and so that they could create an imaginary supply.

I think that's what we see with this pressure in London to have the financial authorities authorized tokenize gold. It might be just another electronic claim on gold that may or may not be in possession of the issuer of the token.

I don't know why anybody who really wanted to own gold would hold gold that way. I can imagine why bullion banks and central banks would want to create another ticket that merely says that you have gold or we owe you some gold. But yeah, they want to tokenizing gold in London, which was really the center of the paper gold business. And Asia's not buying this anymore. I mean, Asia has figured this out. I met a few years ago with a couple of central banks in Asia, and while they were playing their cards very close to the vest, I gave them all the documents of gold price suppression policy, and a lot of central banks in Asia refused to meet with me, but I still sent them the documents. They know what's going on. And for the last couple of years, they have been building their own gold trading infrastructure.

Certainly China has been ahead on this, but other countries are doing it too. They want out of the Western paper gold system, and everyone has seen gold flowing from the West to the East as Western paper is being redeemed by Eastern interests for real metal. Why would they do that? They would do this only if they realize that the paper gold system in the West is a sham, and they're doing it because they want an alternative to dollar hegemony. And gold is the only alternative to the dollar as a reserve currency. I mean, China knows that given its totalitarian form of government, that the UN is not going to function as a reserve currency, but it could gain value as an intermediary to a real physical gold market, and that's what they're building over there. This is also damn obvious. I don't know why London is talking about tokenizing gold.

I mean, that rig is up.

Mike Maharrey: Yeah. And I'm glad you brought that up because this was actually one of the questions I wanted to bring up, the build out of that infrastructure in Asia. So you just answered all my questions. You're leading into the future. That's very good. Impressive. But yeah, so there is a futures market in China, the Shanghai futures, they have a futures market in Shanghai, but it's much more oriented toward delivery of metal. Is that correct?

Chris Powell: Yes. And they are building vaults now in Hong Kong and Singapore and planting them in other places because they envision the gold business converting into a physical gold business where you get delivery in a day if you ask for it,

Not a lot of paper shuffling. I mean, this is obvious. This is happening in the open. Chinese officials were talking about really converting to gold years ago. If you read closely in the publications over there, the world, or at least the neutral and eastern central banks have figured that gold is the only alternative for national sovereignty against the US dollar. If you're going to use somebody else's currency, you're going to be a slave to that issue of the currency. The world is figuring out that if you want your own sovereignty, if you want your financial independence, you're going to have to rely on gold.

Mike Maharrey: Yeah. And I should note that the reasons that these central banks and these institutional investors in the east are piling up physical gold are the same reasons that investors here in the United States should. It's the currency debasement. It's the constant money printing and borrowing and spending and all of these things that we talk about, and they see the writing on the wall.

Chris Powell: Yeah. The Financial Times had a story this morning saying that the Chinese holdings of US Treasuries is at the lowest level it's been since 2008. And they even quoted a Chinese analyst as saying that China was unloading dollars and getting into gold and other commodities.

Mike Maharrey: So in your view, as this continues to evolve and Asia ostensibly gains ground in becoming more and more important and functional within the global gold market, do you think it's going to become increasingly harder? I know the answer to this, but I'm going to ask anyway because I want to hear your comment. Is it going to be increasingly harder for the powers that be in the West to continue to hold prices down?

Chris Powell: Yeah, look, it's already happening. I mean, the gold price has been going up the last couple of years precisely because the Central Bank anti-gold coalition has broken up. I mean, even European nations in the last few years have been purchasing gold for their reserves and announcing it, and we are reasonably confident that many countries are purchasing more gold than they're announcing. I mean, even 10 or 15 years ago, Saudi Arabia got caught purchasing more gold than it was reporting to the IMF. Gold is going up because central banks have divided on the gold issue. They most used to be united in keeping the gold price down in support of the dollar, but also in support of their own currencies. And now many central banks, very big ones, China and Russia particularly, have decided, no, we don't want to do that anymore. We need an alternative to the dollar.

We need an alternative to control by the United States, and there is no alternative except gold.

Mike Maharrey: Yep. One of the worst kept secrets in the entire world is the fact that China is accumulating gold far faster than they're announcing. And they're actually announcing pretty significant expansions to its gold supply, but it's far more than that. And Jan Nieuwenhuijs has done some great work in running the numbers and at least being able to estimate how much more gold that China's buying, and it's substantial.

Chris Powell: Yes, his work has just been essential to this issue for years. I mean, it's accepted now, but he was saying this years ago.

Mike Maharrey: Yeah. Yeah. And it's good because other people, as you say, at some point, the narrative starts to fall apart and you're starting to see a little bit. I mean, the Financial Times reported on the additional gold accumulation not too long ago. So some of the mainstream people are starting to at least whisper about it every once in a while. So I would say that's probably an improvement.

Chris Powell: Yes, but they still can't touch the long history of policy for suppressing the gold price. The government documents that show that this was Western policy was to keep the price down. They can no longer ignore the gold acquisition by more countries around the world and particularly by China, but they can't touch the policy issue.

Mike Maharrey: Now, this was an article that you guys featured in your GATA newsletter. And again, I'm going to encourage listeners to subscribe if you have not. It's one of my favorite emails that I get in my inbox, the various stories that you guys report on, and it's a great resource for what's going on out there in the market. And one of the things you guys reported on is that the stablecoin issue, Tether, is lending its gold. And so maybe first, if you can just give folks a little bit who may not be familiar, what is Tether? Why do they have gold? And what does it indicate by the fact that they're lending it?

Chris Powell: Yeah, well, it's this stablecoin issuing company, which I guess is the largest one in the world. They issue these so-called stable coins which are supposed to maintain a one-to-one value against the US dollar, and Tether to underwrite its stable coins. It purchased a lot of US treasuries and it purchased a lot of gold. I think they've said they've got something like 113 tons of gold, but there's a Bloomberg story today that we dispatched saying that they're now lending their gold to bullion houses, coin manufacturers and things like that. Well, if they're lending the gold, then it can't be in their treasury backing their stable coins. It's got to be in one place or the other. It sounded to me like they're kind of getting into the paper gold business just like the big bullion banks in the United States and London, where your gold can be in multiple places at the same time as long as nobody asks you to deliver it to them.

But that was the Bloomberg story today that Tether, the supposedly gold-backed stablecoin, is leasing its gold. There's no difference. I mean, it's JP Morgan or the Bank of England years ago or whatever. That's just going back to the original racket.

Mike Maharrey: Yeah. Yeah. And therein lies the rub, right? It's a lot like fractional reserve banking. It all works fine until everybody wants their money, and that's when things can get really wonky. And I think we saw that a little bit in the silver market this past year in January of this year, where a lot more people were wanting that physical metal, so delivery got difficult and you saw this price squeeze.

Chris Powell: We remember the Bank of England. They had to make an announcement that it was slow on repatriating gold to people who had been vaulting the Bank of England because there was logistical problems getting it out of the Bank of England basement. Well, they'd get the British Army Corps of Engineers over there if they wanted to, that would get the gold out of the basement in 24 hours. But even last year, even the Bank of England was saying, "Oh, it's bulky, it's heavy, it takes us a while to move it around." Oh, sure, guys.

Mike Maharrey: Right, right. Well, it's easy to move paper around, and they're doing an awful lot of that. So, I want to ask you this, and I'll wrap up on this one. And I probably asked you this question before, but I like to bring this question up anytime I talk to folks who are reporting on and who are aware of this type of manipulation in the gold market. Some people I know will say, "You know what? It's a manipulated market. I'm not getting involved in it. I don't want to have anything to do with it because how can I trust it if it's manipulated?" How would you respond to somebody like that who spurns gold because they're worried about this manipulation?

Chris Powell: Oh, it's a legitimate thing to wonder about, but I would certainly begin by referring them to the gold chart of the last few years, or if you want to take an even longer view, refer them to the gold chart over the last few decades. I mean, certainly the trend now is up. Secondly, if you own gold. Jim Reckard said, I don't know, 15 years ago on CNBC, he was permitted to say it, which surprised me. He said, "If you own gold, you're fighting every central bank in the world." Well, that was 15 years ago. Well, if you own gold today, you've got half the central banks on your side. They're buying gold. Presumably, they're better informed than we are about a lot of things. So, you've got some governments on your side now. And thirdly, if you're aware of what gold price suppression policy has done, has issued a lot of imaginary gold, has been part of a massive short position, uncoverable short position in gold, then if you're owning gold now, you're betting against the collapse of that short position.

And I think that's a good bet. Now, some of us, I mean, look, I'm 76, and while I'm still dressing myself, usually by dinnertime, I may not live to see the full collapse of the short position in gold. On the other hand, there's a lot of people who are following this issue think that gold is going to be officially revalued precisely to get out of this uncoverable short position. So there's a lot of reasons to own it, but if you're going to own it, you got to remember that while a lot of central banks now see gold's virtues again, there's still some powers in the world, including the US Treasury and Federal Reserve, and I suspect the Bank of England too, that don't want you to do well. And if they can knock you in the jaw every once in a while to discourage you, they will.

You've just got to have a backbone and a little bit of a long view.

Mike Maharrey: Yeah. And I think that long view is key. For me, I'm not one of these people that want to try to play the weekly move in gold price. That's just not my game. I'm looking to preserve my wealth over the long term. I think, as you mentioned, you can just look at the charts and you can see that despite whatever manipulation is going on, gold does that job and it does it very well. And it's a little bit, don't you think, like the old cartoons where the dam is springing holes and the guy's sticking his finger in the different holes? At some point, you lose control of that. And I think we're increasingly seeing in a lot of the trimmers in the markets that the powers that be are having a little bit more difficult job in trying to -

Chris Powell: Yeah, that's exactly what's happening. They are losing control. And look, if they were still in control, the prize in every Cracker Jack box would be a Louis d'Or (a historic French gold coin). I mean, that would be the ultimate objective of their policy, would be to devalue gold so much that it'd be a cheap cracker jack prize. Well, they're losing and every day they're losing faster.

Mike Maharrey: Yeah, that's a great analogy. So, let folks know where they can follow the work at GATA and give us your links and where we can follow the work.

Chris Powell: Sure. Our internet site is gata.org. If you'd like to subscribe to our daily dispatches, they're free. There's a little signup mechanism in the right top corner of the GATA homepage. I mean, you got to give us your email address, of course, so we can put you on the list, but no salesman will call. It's absolutely free. And as you said, we try to keep people informed about not only things that are touching on the rigging of the markets, but also things that I think bear on the future of the monetary metals, the future of money, and things that just might be interesting to people who are following gold and believe, as we do, that the monetary metals are crucial to human liberty.

Mike Maharrey: Yeah, absolutely. And again, you guys do a fantastic job of that. In some ways, you guys are one of my go-to places. Your dispatch has helped me find things to write about and report on over at Money Metal. So I encourage people again to get on that email list. I think you'll find a great deal of value in it and appreciate the work that you guys are doing. Do a fantastic job, and it's always a pleasure to chat with you. I'm sure we'll have you back on in the not too distant future. Until then, I hope all remains well and you continue to be able to dress yourself on a daily basis. That's a goal that we can all aspire to, right?

Chris Powell: I am wearing pants right now.

Mike Maharrey: Same, same. I'm not necessarily wearing pants that match the shirt though. I will confess that.

Chris Powell: Same here.

Mike Maharrey: Well, thank you again, Chris, and we'll stay in touch and we'll talk to you again soon.

Chris Powell: Thanks very much, Mike.

Always love hearing from our good friend Chris Powell at GATA and I hope you enjoyed that interview as I did.

Well, that will do it for this week. Be sure to check back next Friday for our next Weekly Market Wrap Podcast. And to check out any of our audio programs, including our second podcast, the Money Metals Midweek Memo, just visit https://www.moneymetals.com/podcasts";>MoneyMetals.com/podcasts or find them wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. And as a big help to us we would ask you to please like, subscribe, download and rate our podcasts. Doing so helps us extend the reach of this material.

Until next time, this has been Mike Gleason with https://www.moneymetals.com/";>Money Metals Exchange, thanks for listening and have a wonderful weekend everybody.

New Gold Scam Preys on Legitimate Fears

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 EST

Scammers want to scare you because scared people make bad decisions.

You often hear about scammers convincing people that their Social Security numbers have been compromised, their identities stolen, or that their computers were hacked. People get scared and become vulnerable to the suggestion that the scammer, often posing as a trusted government official, will protect their wealth.

!!--Product-Random-Featured-All--!!

Now, the FBI is warning of a new approach. Scammers are leveraging fear and distrust of the financial system to scam people.

According to WSOC 9 in Charlotte, criminals prey on people’s worry that their dollars aren’t worth as much as they once were and fear that the financial system is about to collapse. They convince people the solution is to buy gold or silver.

So far, so good.

https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/07/28/inflation-pain-is-worse-than-the-cpi-indicates-005097";>Your dollar isn’t worth as much as it once was, and it will be worth even less next year. After all, https://www.moneymetals.com/podcasts/2025/11/05/inflation-is-the-plan-004459";>inflation is the plan.

And while I’m not predicting a financial collapse tomorrow, trouble is undoubtedly on the horizon given https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/08/20/the-40-trillion-national-debt-in-perspective-005151";>$40 trillion in U.S. government debt and counting.

So, I actually agree with these scammers. You need gold (and silver)!

So, where’s the scam?

Well, these people aren't trying to protect your wealth. They're trying to increase theirs.

And what better way to grow their wealth than to get you to give them gold and silver!

You have to give these crooks some credit. At least they value sound money and recognize that gold and silver are accepted as such anywhere in the world!

According to WSOC, the scammers direct victims to legitimate bullion companies that ship gold and silver to your home. Once the victim agrees to purchase the metal, the scammers convince them to turn their gold and silver over to them for "safekeeping."

“They say, ‘As soon as it gets to your residence, let us know; we’re going to send a carrier by, collect your gold. We’re going to put it in our vault under safekeeping, so you don’t have to worry about that kind of money, value, stored in your house,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis said.

Again, a legitimate concern. Storing precious thousands of dollars in precious metals in your Walmart safe might not be the best move. Many people feel more secure knowing their gold and silver is in a trusted depository.

But if somebody offers to drive by and pick up your gold, just say, "No!" You’re never going to see it again.

Ever.

Legitimate bullion companies partner with trusted vaulting facilities. Here at Money Metals, we have https://www.moneymetals.com/silver-gold-storage";>our own state-of-the-art depository. If you want to store your gold or silver away from your home, legitimate companies will send the metal straight to the depository. There is no reason for the gold and silver to come to your house, only to be picked up by a courier.

If some third party tries to insert itself into your gold and silver purchase -- beware.

If somebody is obviously trying to scare you -- beware.

If somebody says, "Meet me at the gas station to hand over your gold and silver" -- beware. (Yes. This has happened!)

Scammers are everywhere. Just Google “gold scam” and you’ll see what I mean. But it’s easy to avoid the crooks. Do your research and only do business with trusted companies with a strong track record.

Seated Liberty Half Dollar - Christian Gobrecht's Half in United States Seated Liberty Coinage, 1839 to 1891 - Arrows and Rays Varieties, Three Weight Standards, and the 1842-O Small Date - Money Metals

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 EST

The Seated Liberty Half Dollar is one of America’s most widely collected 19th-century silver coins. Minted from 1839 to 1891, the series includes affordable collector coins as well as rare issues that have sold for more than $100,000 at auction.

Whether you are researching the value of a Seated Liberty Half Dollar, identifying a family heirloom, or building a collection of 19th-century U.S. coins, this guide explains what makes these coins valuable. You’ll learn about their history, key dates, design changes, grading, and the factors that influence their market value.

How Much Is a Seated Liberty Half Dollar Worth?

Most Seated Liberty Half Dollars are worth much more than their https://www.moneymetals.com/buy/silver/junk-silver/90-silver-half-dollars";>50-cent face value. Their value depends on the coin’s date, mintmark, condition, rarity, and silver content. Common circulated coins often sell for less than $100. In contrast, rare dates and high-grade examples can sell for more than $100,000 at auction.

The best way to determine the coin’s value is to have it graded by a professional coin grading service. Companies like PCGS or NGC can make a coin easier to sell and may increase buyer confidence. They verify the coin’s authenticity and condition, which can enhance the coin’s liquidity and make it more desirable to collectors.

The table below provides estimated value ranges by grade:

Seated Liberty Half Dollar Value Ranges by Grade

Grade	Common Dates	Better Dates
Good (G-4)	$40–$80	$150+
Fine (F-12)	$75–$175	$300+
Very Fine (VF-20)	$150–$350	$700+
Mint State (MS-60+)	$600+	Thousands to six figures

Values are approximate and vary based on eye appeal, certification, market demand, and current auction results. Rare dates and exceptional examples may sell for substantially more.

Origin of the Seated Liberty Half Dollar

The Seated Liberty half dollar entered into circulation in 1839. Its obverse depicts Lady Liberty seated on a rock holding a shield and liberty pole. It was a design inspired by the surge of neoclassical art that became popular in the nineteenth century. Its reverse depicts an eagle holding a set of arrows.

The coin was designed by Christian Gobrecht, the third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. The coin underwent several variations before it was retired in 1891.

Seated Liberty Half Dollar Design and Composition

The Seated Liberty half dollar has a standardized design, composed of the following factors:

Seated Liberty Half Dollar Specifications

Specification	Seated Liberty Half Dollar
Years Minted	1839–1891
Designer	Christian Gobrecht
Composition	90% silver, 10% copper
Diameter	30.6 mm
Edge	Reeded
Weight	13.36 g (1839–1853); 12.44 g (1853–1872); 12.50 g (1873–1891)

Key Factors Influencing Seated Liberty Half Dollar Value

The value of a Seated Liberty Half Dollar depends on several factors, including its condition, mintmark, rarity, and variety. Understanding these factors is essential to determining a coin’s value. Here’s an in-depth look at these elements:

Condition (Grading)

Grading is a crucial determinant of value, with coins ranging from heavily worn examples to pristine, uncirculated pieces. The table below shows the different grading and condition ranges.

Seated Liberty Half Dollar Grading Guide

Grade	What to Look For
Good (G-4)	Heavy wear is visible. Major design elements remain, but Liberty, the stars, and the eagle may appear faint.
Fine (F-12)	Moderate wear is present. Some details, including Liberty’s figure, the stars, and parts of the eagle, are easier to see.
Very Fine (VF-20)	Moderate wear appears on the high points. Liberty’s drapery and the eagle’s feathers show stronger detail.
Mint State (MS-60+)	No circulation wear is present. The coin may show original luster, sharper details, and stronger eye appeal.

Higher-grade coins, especially those graded by PCGS or NGC, command premium prices. Collectors often prioritize well-preserved coins with minimal wear or attractive toning.

Mintmarks

Seated Liberty Half Dollars were minted in several locations, each contributing to the coin’s collectibility and circulation. Mintmarks can be found on the reverse side, below the eagle.

Seated Liberty Half Dollar Mintmarks

Mint	Mintmark	Collectibility
Philadelphia	None	Generally the most common issues in the series.
New Orleans	O	Scarcer than Philadelphia issues and popular with collectors.
San Francisco	S	Later issues that become scarce in higher grades.
Carson City	CC	Low mintages and among the most desirable coins in the series.

Rarity and Key Dates

Certain dates and varieties are rarer than others, significantly increasing their value and affecting their circulation. These rare versions make valuable additions to your https://www.coincollecting.com/seated-liberty-half-dollars-key-dates-and-values";>collection. Some of those are as follows:

Key Seated Liberty Half Dollar Dates at a Glance

Date	Why It Is Important	Relative Rarity
1842-O Small Date, Small Letters	One of the most desirable New Orleans varieties, distinguished by its Small Date and Small Letters reverse.	High
1873-CC No Arrows	A key Carson City issue struck before the weight adjustment. Extremely scarce and highly sought after.	Very High
1873 Open 3	Popular Philadelphia variety identified by the shape of the numeral "3" in the date.	High
1874-CC	Low-mintage Carson City issue with strong collector demand and significant historical appeal.	Very High

Design Varieties

The Seated Liberty Half Dollar underwent five primary design changes throughout its minting period:

Seated Liberty Half Dollar Design Varieties

Variety	Years	Features	Weight	Significance
No Motto “In God We Trust”	1839–1853	Reverse design lacks the motto. Small reverse letters were used until 1842, followed by larger letters.	13.36 grams	Represents the early simplicity of U.S. coinage before later design changes.
Arrows at Date and Rays Around the Eagle	1853	Arrows flank the date, and rays appear around the eagle on the reverse.	12.44 grams	Reflects the Coinage Act of 1853, which reduced silver content and discouraged melting for bullion.
Arrows at Date, No Rays	1854–1855	Arrows remain at the date, but rays were removed from the reverse.	12.44 grams	Simplified the design for more efficient minting.
No Motto “In God We Trust” Resumed	1856–1866	Returned to the earlier no-motto design.	12.44 grams	Represents the transitional period before post-Civil War design updates.
Motto “In God We Trust”	1866–1873; 1875–1891	The motto “In God We Trust” was added on a banner above the eagle.	12.44 grams; later 12.50 grams	Marked cultural and legislative shifts in U.S. coinage after the Civil War.
Arrows at Date, No Rays	1873–1874	Arrows were reintroduced at the date to signal a slight weight adjustment.	12.50 grams	Aligns with the Coinage Act of 1873 and standardization of silver coinage.

How to Identify an Authentic Seated Liberty Half Dollar

Because Seated Liberty Half Dollars are valuable collector coins, they are sometimes counterfeited or altered. Before you buy or sell one, inspect the coin carefully and compare its physical features to official specifications.

A genuine Seated Liberty Half Dollar has a reeded edge and measures 30.6 mm in diameter. Its weight depends on its mint year. Coins struck from 1839 to 1853 should weigh 13.36 grams. Most coins minted from 1853 to 1872 weigh 12.44 grams. Coins struck from 1873 to 1891 weigh 12.50 grams.

Look for signs that the coin may not be genuine. Common warning signs include the wrong weight, weak or blurry details, soft lettering, casting bubbles, or a seam along the edge. Bright, polished surfaces may also indicate that the coin has been cleaned. Though it may seem counterintuitive, cleaning can reduce a coin’s value by leaving micro-scratches on the surface.

If you own a rare date, a Carson City issue, or a coin with a high market value, consider having it authenticated by a professional grading service. PCGS and NGC can verify that the coin is genuine, assign a grade, and seal it in a protective holder. Before you buy a certified coin, verify the certification number on the grading company’s website.

Notable Auction Sales

https://www.ngccoin.com/auction-central/top-ten-rare-coins-auction-results.aspx?SubCatID=40";>Seated Liberty Half Dollars have reached high values at auction in recent years. Here are three of the top auction prices these coins sold for in the 2010s:

Notable Seated Liberty Half Dollar Auction Sales

Date	Grade	Auction House	Sale Price	Sale Date
1853-O No Arrows	MS66	Stack's Bowers	$246,750	Oct. 31, 2014
1878-S	MS64	Heritage Auctions	$199,750	Jun. 23, 2014
1878-O No Arrows	MS65	Heritage Auctions	$199,750	Aug. 16, 2015

Auction prices are historical results and may include buyer's premiums. Market values change over time based on collector demand, rarity, and condition.

Tips for Collectors

Focus on Key Dates: Key dates like 1874-CC or rare varieties such as the 1853 Arrows and Rays can significantly enhance your collection’s value.
Condition is Key: Invest in higher-grade coins, as they retain their value better and are more desirable.
Authentication Matters: Rely on reputable grading services like PCGS and NGC to ensure authenticity and accurate grading.
Understand the Market: Keep an eye on market trends and auction results to make informed purchasing decisions.
Preserve Your Coins: Proper storage in temperature-controlled environments and protective holders will help maintain their value.

Frequently Asked Questions About Seated Liberty Half Dollars

The Seated Liberty Half Dollar is a U.S. silver coin series that ran from 1839 through 1891. The coin took its design from Christian Gobrecht, it features Lady Liberty seated on the obverse and heraldic eagle on the reverse. The series is popular with collectors because of its unusually long production run, design changes, and its numerous scarce dates and mintmarks.

All regular-issue Seated Liberty Half Dollars are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. Prior to 1853, all issues of this coin weighed 13.36 grams. Coins struck from 1853 and onward weigh 12.44 grams due to a reduction in coin size.

Later, the coin underwent yet another design change in 1873. That year, the coin adjusted to accommodate current U.S. coinage standards, making it 12.50 grams. Although the coin's weight changed over time, its composition remained 90% silver and 10% copper throughout the series.

When a mintmark is present on these coins, it appears on the reverse of the coin beneath the eagle and above the denomination. Philadelphia issues do not carry a mintmark, while New Orleans (O), San Francisco (S), and Carson City (CC) coins display their respective mintmarks in this location.

Several factors determine value, including: date and mintmark; overall condition (grade); rarity and mintage; design variety; original surfaces and eye appeal; and professional certification by PCGS or NGC.

Even common dates can garner significant values if they are well preserved or still exhibit attractive, natural toning.

In most cases, yes. Improper cleaning can permanently damage a coin’s original surfaces and significantly reduce its collector value. Experienced collectors generally prefer coins with natural patina and original luster. If you believe your coin may have been cleaned, it is best to have it evaluated by a reputable grading service before buying or selling the coin.

Conclusion

The Seated Liberty Half Dollar is more than a collectible. It’s an antique piece of American history, reflecting the economic and cultural shifts of the 19th century. With a rich array of designs, mintmarks, and varieties, these coins offer something for every collector, from novices to seasoned numismatists.

By understanding the factors that influence value and focusing on key pieces, https://www.moneymetals.com/buy/rare-coins";>collectors can build a rewarding collection that blends artistry, history, currency knowledge, and investment potential.

Higher Rates Are Bad for Gold and Silver! Or Are They?

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 EST

Yields are rising as the bond market sells off, and https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/09/17/hut-hut-hike-the-fed-raised-rates-now-what-005211";>the Federal Reserve just hiked interest rates. Anticipating a high-interest-rate environment in the months ahead, many people are https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/09/14/strange-selloff-in-gold-005201";>selling gold and silver.

You can see the dip on this silver chart after the Fed announced its rate hike on September 16.

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But should investors sell gold and silver just because interest rates are going up?

Conventional wisdom holds that because they are non-yielding assets, gold and silver become less attractive in a high-interest-rate environment and tend to face significant price headwinds. However, conventional wisdom isn’t always wise.

A higher-rate environment can indeed be bearish for gold and silver, but historically, that hasn’t always been the case.

Consider the 1970s, a period that seems parallel to today, with stagflation coupled with out-of-control government spending.

As Adam Sharp, a long-time financial writer and Fed watcher for https://dailyreckoning.com/gold-and-silver-vs-the-fed/"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Daily Reckoning, pointed out, “Investors who thrived did so by buying hard assets. Gold, silver, real estate, commodity producers.”

Gold rose by nearly 2,329 percent in the 1970s.

And bond yields rose at roughly the same rate.

https://www.moneymetals.com/uploads/content/gold-price-vs-10-year-treasury-yield-1969-1980.png"; width="700" height="409" class="mx-auto p-3" alt="" />

The conventional wisdom clearly broke down in the 1970s. A high interest rate environment was not bearish for gold. Interest rates and gold rose in tandem.

But why?

Because you must account for real interest rates.

What Are Real Interest Rates?

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When interest rates are higher, holding gold and silver has an opportunity cost: you could own bonds that generate interest income or stocks that pay dividends. However, when real interest rates fall or turn negative, those income-producing alternatives lose their comparative advantage. In such an environment, the relative cost of holding precious gold and silver diminishes, making the metals more attractive as safe-haven and wealth-preservation assets.

What do we mean by “real” interest rates?

The real interest rate is simply the stated rate you hear on the news adjusted for price inflation.

To calculate the real interest rate, you take the quoted nominal rate and subtract CPI.

For example, say a 10-year Treasury bond is yielding 4 percent. That seems like a pretty good return. But if the CPI is running at 3.5 percent, the real interest rate on that bond is only 0.5 percent (4-3.5=0.5).

Note that in a low-interest-rate environment or if price inflation is particularly high, real interest rates can go negative.

If that same 10-year Treasury only yields 3 percent and CPI is 5 percent, your real interest rate is -2 percent. That means you will lose money in real terms if you buy and hold that bond (Assuming everything remains static).

Sharp broke down the numbers using the 3-month T-bill. It yielded 7.4 percent in 1974, which sounds like a pretty darn good return. However, price inflation based on the CPI peaked at 12 percent that year.

In other words, the real interest rate on the 3-month T-bill was running in the neighborhood of -4.6 percent.

Adam also noted that “from August 1976 to January 1980, gold rose more than 7x!”

Meanwhile, interest rates exploded to a peak of nearly 20 percent in the early ‘80s as Paul Volcker initiated a real war on inflation.

“Clearly, gold can thrive during periods of rising interest rates. Because when the Fed is raising rates, it’s usually due to inflation. Which drives people into gold,” Adam said.

Gold also defied conventional wisdom during the gold bull market of the 2000s. The yellow metal took off in 2004 as interest rates began to spike. Gold continued to surge after the Fed slashed rates in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

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As Adam pointed out, “Gold rose steadily, almost throughout the entire period. As interest rates rose and fell, gold marched on. With a few brief dips, particularly during the global financial crisis.”

Adam is correct. It’s not as simple as “lower rates = higher gold” and “higher rates = lower gold.”

Sometimes it’s the exact opposite.

“When the Federal Reserve and other central banks raise rates, it’s almost always due to problematic inflation. The same reason people buy gold and silver. So, even if the Fed does continue to raise rates for the next few years, it’s not necessarily bad for precious metals.”

Notably, Adam agrees with me. He doesn’t think the Fed will be able to raise rates much higher because it would be “very problematic for our debt situation”

“No matter what they do from here, more inflation is coming. They can’t hike rates to the 10 percent-plus level they’d need to be to kill inflation. It’d kill our debt-bloated economy and end up making deficits soar even higher.”

The lesson here is: don’t sell your gold just because you think the Fed is going to raise rates. You might be sorry!

Franklin Half Dollar Value - 1948 to 1963 Prices From Circulated to MS65 by Year - Full Bell Lines Premiums, 1949-S and 1953-S Key Dates, and Proof Ultra Cameo Records - Money Metals

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 EST

Franklin Half Dollar values range from little more than their silver melt value to thousands of dollars for rare dates and high-grade examples. The value depends on the coin's date, mint mark, condition, and whether it qualifies for the Full Bell Lines designation.

This guide explains how to estimate a Franklin Half Dollar's value, identify key dates and mint marks, understand the Full Bell Lines designation, and compare your coin with current market values.

Franklin Half Dollar Value by Year (Last Updated: June 2026)

The table below shows general estimated values for Franklin Half Dollars by date and mint mark. Values vary based on silver spot price, grade, eye appeal, certification, and market demand.

Estimated Franklin Half Dollar Values by Date and Grade

Date / Mint Mark	G–VG	XF	MS63	MS65	FBL Premium
1948	Near melt	$12–$18	$35–$55	$90–$150	Moderate
1948-D	Near melt	$12–$20	$35–$60	$100–$175	Moderate
1949	$14–$22	$25–$45	$100–$175	$350–$700+	High
1949-D	$14–$25	$30–$55	$125–$225	$500–$1,000+	High
1949-S	$15–$30	$35–$75	$150–$300	$750–$1,500+	Very High
1950	Near melt	$12–$20	$35–$60	$100–$200	Moderate
1950-D	Near melt	$12–$20	$35–$65	$125–$225	Moderate
1951	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low to Moderate
1951-D	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low to Moderate
1951-S	Near melt	$12–$20	$35–$70	$125–$250	Moderate to High
1952	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$80–$140	Low to Moderate
1952-D	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low
1952-S	Near melt	$12–$20	$35–$75	$150–$300	High
1953	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$55	$90–$175	Moderate
1953-D	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$55	$90–$175	Moderate
1953-S	$14–$25	$25–$50	$100–$200	$600–$1,200+	Very High
1954	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$55	$90–$175	Moderate
1954-D	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low
1954-S	Near melt	$12–$20	$35–$70	$125–$250	Moderate to High
1955	$14–$25	$25–$50	$75–$150	$250–$500+	High
1956	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$60	$100–$200	Moderate
1957	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low to Moderate
1957-D	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low to Moderate
1958	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$55	$90–$175	Moderate
1958-D	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low
1959	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low to Moderate
1959-D	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low
1960	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low to Moderate
1960-D	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low
1961	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low to Moderate
1961-D	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low
1962	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low to Moderate
1962-D	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low
1963	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low to Moderate
1963-D	Near melt	$12–$18	$30–$50	$75–$125	Low

Note: These are broad retail estimates, not guaranteed buy or sell prices. Common circulated Franklin Half Dollars often trade close to their silver melt value. Higher-grade coins, certified examples, scarce dates, and Full Bell Lines coins may sell for much more.

The Origins of the Franklin Half Dollar (1948–1963)

The https://www.moneymetals.com/pre-1965-90-franklin-half-dollar-silver/1285";>Franklin Half Dollar was introduced to honor Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s Founding Fathers and a symbol of ingenuity and independence. Designed by John R. Sinnock, the coin replaced the Walking Liberty Half Dollar.

This marked the first time a U.S. circulating coin featured a non-president. Instead, the coin aimed to celebrate Franklin's legacy as a statesman, scientist, and philosopher.

This series of coins showcases a significant shift in American currency. However, it also represents the nation’s evolving self-understanding.

As the nation rose in international prominence and technological advancement, Americans wanted to showcase its brilliant minds. Few in the nation’s history could compete with Benjamin Franklin.

The obverse (front) of the coin features a right-facing portrait of Franklin, accompanied by the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the year of minting.

The reverse (back) displays the Liberty Bell, a symbol of American independence, alongside a small bald eagle included to comply with the Mint Act of 1873. This act mandated the presence of an eagle on all silver coins.

The Franklin Half Dollar was minted at three locations:

the United States Mint at the Philadelphia Mint (no mint mark),
Denver Mint (“D” mint mark), and
San Francisco Mint (“S” mint mark) locations.

Each mint location produced a number of coins that have now become part of numismatic history. Today, the mint mark on a Franklin half dollar coin can affect its value. Different mints produced different quantities of coins, making some minted Franklin half dollars more rare than others.

The Franklin Half Dollar and Silver Composition

Here’s a quick overview of the Franklin Silver Half Dollar’s design:

Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
Weight: 12.5 grams
Silver Content: 0.36169 troy ounces
Edge: Reeded
Diameter: 30.6 mm

The bullion coin’s silver content is critical for a collector to note. The coin’s intrinsic value is closely tied to the spot price of silver, ensuring a minimum value based on its metal content.

What does that mean? In short, it ensures the coin's worth beyond its use as currency. It possesses intrinsic value as part of a series of bullion coins.

Factors That Affect Franklin Half Dollar Value

The value of a Franklin Half Dollar depends on more than its date. Every coin contains 90% silver, but collectors also consider its condition, mint mark, rarity, and strike quality. Reviewing these factors can help estimate a coin’s market value.

Check the Date and Mint Mark

Start by finding the coin’s date and mint mark. Franklin Half Dollars were struck from 1948 through 1963 at three U.S. Mint facilities:

Philadelphia (no mint mark)
Denver (“D”)
San Francisco (“S”)

Some dates and mint marks are harder to find than others. Rare combinations often sell for more, especially in high grades.

Evaluate the Condition

A coin’s condition has a major effect on its value. Coins with little or no wear usually bring higher prices than heavily circulated examples.

Look for:

Wear on Franklin’s hair and cheek
Weak detail on the Liberty Bell
Scratches, rim damage, or signs of cleaning
Original mint luster on uncirculated coins

Professional grading services such as PCGS and NGC can confirm a coin’s condition. Certified coins are often easier to sell and may bring higher prices.

Look for Full Bell Lines

Collectors often look for Full Bell Lines (FBL) on Mint State Franklin Half Dollars. This designation means the horizontal lines at the bottom of the Liberty Bell are complete and unbroken.

Coins with the FBL designation are harder to find for some dates. As a result, they often sell for much more than similar coins without Full Bell Lines.

Calculate the Silver Value

Every Franklin Half Dollar contains 0.36169 troy ounces of silver. This gives the coin a base value that changes with the price of silver.

For many common-date circulated coins, the silver content makes up most of the coin’s value. Coins with better dates or higher grades can sell for much more than their melt value.

Compare Recent Sales

After identifying the coin’s date, mint mark, and condition, compare it with recent auction results and price guides. Looking at similar certified coins can provide a more accurate estimate than relying on a single value chart.

Key Franklin Half Dollar Dates to Watch

Some Franklin Half Dollars are more desirable because of lower mintages, scarcity in higher grades, or strong collector demand for special designations.

Key Franklin Half Dollar Dates and Collectible Features

Date or Type	Why It Matters
1949-S	Better date with lower mintage and strong collector demand in higher grades.
1953-S	Scarce in higher Mint State grades, especially with Full Bell Lines.
1955	Popular better date that often trades above common-date examples.
Proof Franklin Half Dollars	Cameo and Ultra Cameo examples can command strong premiums, especially in elite certified grades.

Notable Auction Sales for High-Value Franklin Half Dollars

The following https://www.ngccoin.com/auction-central/top-ten-rare-coins-auction-results.aspx?SubCatID=43";>auction records represent exceptionally rare Proof Franklin Half Dollars with elite grades and special designations. Common-date iterations of these coins may sell for their melt value or slightly more, but few reach these extraordinary highs:

1951 50C PF (PF 67 + Ultra Cameo) - this coin sold for $82,250.00 at Heritage Auctions in 8/6/2017
1953 50C PF (PF 68 Ultra Cameo) - this coin sold for $63,250.00 at Heritage Auctions on 8/13/2006
1957 50C PF (PF 69 Ultra Cameo) - this coin sold for $37,600.00 at Heritage Auctions on 8/6/2017

Why Collectors Love Franklin Half Dollars

Collectors are drawn to Franklin Half Dollars for their unique blend of history, design, and investment potential. These coins represent a pivotal era in U.S. numismatics, bridging the gap between the silver standard and modern coinage.

For many collectors, half the fun is in the chase. The thrill of finding coins with Full Bell Lines, mint errors, or rare mint marks makes them exciting additions to any collection.

For investors, the coin’s silver content ensures intrinsic value tied to the precious metals market. Even https://coinweek.com/10-coins-worth-more-than-face-value-you-can-find-in-change/#:~:text=In%20circulated%20grades%2C%20these%20coins,$4.07%2C%20and%20$1.67%2C%20respectively.">circulated coins often trade above face value due to their silver content alone, a testament to their enduring appeal and worth as part of the bullion coins market.

Conclusion

The Franklin Half Dollar holds a special place in U.S. coin history and remains a favorite among collectors. Whether you’re fascinated by its historical significance or interested in its silver content, understanding the factors that influence its value can enhance your appreciation for these iconic coins.

From hunting for rare Full Bell Lines examples to collecting key dates, the Franklin Half Dollar offers endless opportunities for discovery and investment. By collecting these coins, you’re not only acquiring a piece of history; you’re also preserving a tangible link to America’s legacy.

Franklin Half Dollars continue to attract collectors because they combine 90% silver content with historical significance and the potential for numismatic premiums. https://www.moneymetals.com/proof-franklin-half-dollar-90-silver-3617-oz-asw/2030";>These coins remain a timeless treasure for numismatists and investors alike, with appraisals often exceeding expectations at auction due to their cherished designs and rarity.

Barber Half Dollar Value - What an 1892 to 1915 Half Is Worth by Date and Condition - 1892-O Micro O Variety, Low-Mintage 1913-1915 Philadelphia Issues, and Altered Mintmark Checks - Money Metals

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 EST

The Barber Half Dollar is one of the most collected U.S. silver coins, but not every coin is worth a large premium. Two Barber Half Dollars from the same year can have drastically different values depending on several features. These features include their mintmark, condition, and rarity.

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or collecting Barber Half Dollars, it helps to know what separates a common coin from a valuable one. A worn example may be worth little more than its melt value. In contrast, rare dates from that series in high grades can sell for thousands of dollars.

This guide explains the history, design, silver content, key dates, grading standards, and value of the Barber Half Dollar. You will also learn what collectors and dealers look for when evaluating these classic U.S. coins, so you can make more informed buying and selling decisions.

Barber Half Dollar Value by Date, Mintmark, and Grade

Estimated Barber Half Dollar values by condition. Actual prices vary by eye appeal, certification, surface quality, and market demand.

Date & Mintmark	Mintage	Good (G-4)	Fine (F-12)	Extremely Fine (XF-40)	Uncirculated (MS-60)	Collector Notes
1892-O Micro O	Included in 1892-O mintage; under 100 known	$4,500	$12,000	$18,500	$37,500	Major variety; confirm attribution before pricing.
1901-S	847,044	$110	$375	$1,500	$6,750	Key date with strong collector demand.
1904-S	553,038	$95	$500	$3,500	$12,750	Scarce in higher grades; surface quality matters.
1913	188,000	$125	$350	$1,000	$2,200	Low-mintage Philadelphia issue.
1914	124,230	$135	$400	$1,200	$2,250	Lowest regular-issue mintage in the series.
1915	138,000	$100	$325	$725	$1,750	Final-year Philadelphia issue.

Source note: Estimated values are based on the PCGS Barber Half Dollar Price Guide. Mintage figures are based on published Barber Half Dollar mintage data. Values are estimates only and should not be treated as guaranteed buy or sell prices.

The Origins of the Barber Half Dollar (1892–1915)

The Barber Half Dollar was minted from 1892 to 1915 as part of a redesign of U.S. silver coinage. It replaced the Seated Liberty Half Dollar, which had been in production for more than 50 years. By the late 1880s, many government officials believed the older design looked outdated and wanted a new appearance for the nation’s circulating coins.

The U.S. Mint first held a competition to find new coin designs from outside artists. However, the contest failed to produce a design the Treasury Department accepted. As a result, Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber was asked to create new designs for the dime, quarter, and half dollar.

Barber’s designs entered circulation in 1892. All three coins shared a similar portrait of Liberty on the obverse, giving the series a consistent appearance. The reverse of the Barber Half Dollar features a heraldic eagle holding an olive branch and arrows, a design that reflected earlier American coinage.

Public reaction to the new coins was mixed. Some critics felt the designs were too conservative and lacked artistic detail. Others appreciated their clean appearance and practical use in everyday commerce. Despite the criticism, the Barber Half Dollar remained in production for 24 years before it was replaced by the Walking Liberty Half Dollar in 1916.

Today, the Barber Half Dollar is valued for more than its silver content. It represents an important period in American coinage, bridging the gap between the long-running Seated Liberty series and the more artistic coin designs introduced during the early 20th century.

Collectors also appreciate the series for its numerous date and mintmark combinations. Assembling a complete set with both visible date and mintmarks is a challenge, which collectors find all the more rewarding.

Specifications of the Barber Half Dollar

The Barber Half Dollar was struck for circulation from 1892 to 1915. Its standard specifications help collectors verify the coin’s type, silver content, and basic physical features.

Key specifications of the Barber Half Dollar.

Specification	Details
Years Minted	1892–1915
Designer	Charles E. Barber
Composition	90% silver, 10% copper
Silver Weight	0.3617 troy ounces
Total Weight	12.5 grams
Diameter	30.6 mm
Edge	Reeded
Mint Marks	None for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, “O” for New Orleans, and “S” for San Francisco

Obverse Design

The obverse features Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap and laurel wreath. The word “LIBERTY” appears on the headband, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the date appear around the portrait. Barber’s small “B” initial appears at the base of Liberty’s neck.

Reverse Design

The reverse features a heraldic eagle with a shield on its chest. The eagle holds an olive branch and arrows, with 13 stars above it. The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “HALF DOLLAR” surround the design. When present, the mintmark appears above the “D” in “DOLLAR.”

Barber Half Dollar Silver Composition

Silver content and melt value factors for the Barber Half Dollar.

Feature	Details	Why It Matters
Composition	90% silver, 10% copper	Confirms the coin is a U.S. 90% silver half dollar.
Silver Weight	0.3617 troy ounces of silver	Used to calculate the coin's melt value.
Total Weight	12.5 grams	Helps verify the coin's specifications.
Melt Value	0.3617 × current silver spot price	Provides a baseline value before collector premium.
Collector Premium	Varies by date, mintmark, grade, rarity, and eye appeal	Explains why many Barber Half Dollars sell above melt value.

Factors That Affect Barber Half Dollar Value

The value of a Barber Half Dollar is determined by several factors, including condition, rarity, and market demand. Here are the key considerations:

1. Date and Mint Mark

Certain years and mint marks are rarer than others. Coins from the New Orleans (“O”) and San Francisco (“S”) mints are often more desirable, especially in higher grades. Key dates include:

1892-O Micro O: A rare variety known for its small mintmark, highly sought after by collectors.
1901-S: A key date with low mintage and significant collector demand.
1904-S: Known for its rarity in uncirculated condition.

2. Condition and Grading

https://blog.money.org/coin-collecting/coin-grading-basics";>Coins in higher grades, such as Mint State (MS), are especially valuable. Professional grading services like PCGS and NGC assign precise grades, significantly affecting a coin’s market value and standing in the collectibles series.

3. Rarity and Errors

Low-mintage coins and varieties with errors, such as double dies or misplaced mintmarks, are particularly valuable. These unique characteristics make them prized additions to any collection and sought after during appraisals.

4. Historical Significance

Barber Half Dollars represent a transformative period in U.S. history, bridging the gap between the Seated Liberty and modern coinage eras. As such, many collectors value this coin for the transitional period it represents.

How to Identify an Authentic Barber Half Dollar

Most Barber Half Dollars are genuine, but counterfeiters have targeted some valuable dates and high-grade examples to con collectors. It’s important to examine a coin carefully before making a purchase, especially if it is offered at a price well below market value.

One of the first details to inspect is the LIBERTY inscription on Liberty’s headband. On heavily worn coins, the letters may be faint or missing. That makes the coin more difficult to grade. In contrast, coins with stronger detail generally sell for higher premiums.

The small “B” initial, which represents designer Charles E. Barber, should also be visible near the base of Liberty’s neck. This mark alone does not guarantee authenticity, it is one of several design features that should match a genuine Barber Half Dollar.

Collectors should also examine the reverse design. The eagle’s feathers, shield lines, arrows, olive branch, lettering, and denticles around the rim should appear sharp and well-defined for the coin’s assigned grade. Soft or uneven details often reveal excessive wear, poor mint striking, or possible counterfeit manufacture.

The mintmark, when present, is located on the reverse above the “D” in DOLLAR. Collectors should confirm that the mintmark has not been altered or added to create a more valuable variety. Magnification can help reveal filing marks, tool marks, or other signs of tampering.

Surface quality also affects both authenticity and value. Deep scratches, harsh cleaning, corrosion, rim damage, or artificial toning can reduce a coin’s desirability, even if it is a scarce date. Natural wear is generally more acceptable than damage caused after the coin left circulation.

For rare Barber Half Dollars or coins with significant value, professional authentication is recommended. Independent grading services such as the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) examine coins for authenticity, assign standardized grades and encapsulate them in tamper-evident holders. Certified examples often sell more easily because buyers have greater confidence in their authenticity and condition.

Notable High-Value Barber Half Dollars

Some https://www.ngccoin.com/auction-central/top-ten-rare-coins-auction-results.aspx?SubCatID=41";>Barber Half Dollars have achieved significant value at auction, reflecting their rarity and desirability:

1892-O Micro O 50C MS(MS67+): Sold for $132,000 at Stacks’ Bowers Auction on 12/17/2020.
1904 S 50C MS (MS67+): Sold for $91,062.50 at Heritage Auction on 1/11/2016.
1892 O 50C SP (SP 66): Sold for $96,000.00 at Heritage Auction on 4/28/2019

While these are notable sales, please be aware that not all Barber half dollars will sell for values like this. Please consult this https://www.pcgs.com/prices/detail/barber-half-dollar/732/most-active";>price guide to see the values of these coins.

Conclusion

The Barber Half Dollar remains one of the most recognizable silver coins in American numismatics. While every coin contains 90% silver, its market value depends on much more than silver content. The date, mintmark, condition, rarity, and overall eye appeal all play an important role in determining what a coin is worth.

Before buying or selling a Barber Half Dollar, collectors should compare recent market prices, verify the coin’s authenticity, and understand its grade. For scarce dates or higher-value examples, certification by a respected grading service such as PCGS or NGC can provide additional confidence.

Whether building a complete date-and-mintmark set or purchasing a single example, understanding these factors can help collectors make informed decisions and better appreciate the history behind the Barber Half Dollar.

Vaulting Space in Short Supply as Singapore Positions Itself as a Major Gold Hub

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 EST

Asia continues to position itself to challenge Western dominance in the gold market. This is creating high demand for bullion vaulting space in Singapore.

The West has dominated the gold trade for years, with London, New York, and Switzerland as major players. However, as gold progressively flows from West to East, China and other Asian hubs are developing infrastructure to challenge Western dominance.

Singapore is one of the Asian nations taking significant steps to become a regional gold hub.

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Last year, https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2025/05/15/new-gold-futures-contract-could-set-up-singapore-to-rival-london-and-new-york-as-gold-market-hubs-004066";>Abaxx Exchange launched a physical 1-kilo gold contract denominated in dollars and deliverable in Singapore. The company described it as the first “co-located spot-and-futures infrastructure for gold.”

DBS Group Holdings recently expanded its bullion storage capacity. And according to Bloomberg, other banks are considering similar moves.

DBS ranks as Southeast Asia's top lender. The company said it is expanding vaulting space to support “growing demand from both private wealth and institutional clients.”

It remains unclear how DBS is expanding bullion storage capacity. It likely contracts with existing private vaulting facilities or specialized logistics companies rather than building new vaults.

According to Bloomberg, OCBC Bank has also approached precious metal storage providers about securing additional space for its clients, and Deutsche Bank is considering a similar move.

An OCBC spokesperson told Bloomberg the bank has seen “steady interest” in its newly established physical gold business, especially from private banking clients.

Banks typically contract with vaulting facilities and logistics companies to move and store gold. However, some banks, including UOB, operate their own depositories.

Bullion Vaulting Space Getting Tight

Demand for physical gold and anticipation of a planned over-the-counter gold clearing system have squeezed storage space in Singapore.

Le Freeport operates a high-security site in the country. It is also referred to as “Asia’s Fort Knox.” According to Bloomberg, it is running out of room in its basement vaulting space.

“Several people familiar with the matter said some banks may not be able to store bullion in its basement – their preferred location because of its enhanced security and higher load-bearing capacity, which enables more bars to be stacked than on upper floors.”

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According to Bloomberg, Singapore has at least 2,200 tonnes of gold storage capacity in privately owned facilities. This includes 1,700 tonnes at Le Freeport and 500 at The Reserve.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) also has vaulting space and recently announced it will open its doors to sovereign entities and foreign central banks. MAS also plans to offer gold accounts to a select group of Singapore-based bullion banks.

“This strengthens Singapore’s proposition as a jurisdiction where reserve assets can be securely held, actively managed and connected to wider market liquidity during Asian trading hours,” Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said earlier this summer.

MAS does not disclose its vaulting capacity.

Regional vaulting space will likely need to expand further as the country preps to launch an over-the-counter gold clearing system run by the Singapore Exchange. The clearing system is expected to be up and running by year-end, with interbank trading expected to be phased in next year.

According to The Straits Times, the new system will standardize and streamline the clearing and physical settlement of trades involving both institutional 400-ounce bars and Asia-preferred one-kilogram bars. The goal is to improve liquidity, price discovery, and settlement during Asian trading hours. This could establish Singapore as a major regional gold hub.

Singapore joins Hong Kong in aggressively building out its bullion market infrastructure. Earlier this year, the Chinese special administrative region launched a revamped dollar-denominated futures contract. It has already reported https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/08/24/hong-kong-gold-futures-contract-reports-physical-delivery-record-as-the-citys-role-as-a-gold-hub-grows-005156";>record physical gold deliveries.

A day after the revitalized futures contract launched, Hong Kong began trial operations of its https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/07/09/hong-kong-launches-gold-settlement-system-to-challenge-western-dominance-005050?srsltid=AfmBOorfZhLG2ZA4ie-jsxqOrp5H-uFjueNzAPg2lgbxB5LKAUFIn_Qn";>gold clearing and settlement system. The government-owned clearing system will reportedly “mirror” the financial infrastructure used by the LBMA in London.

Hong Kong also plans to expand its vaulting capacity to 2,000 tonnes within the next three years.

Looking at the bigger picture, these developments in Hong Kong and Singapore reveal a slow but steady migration of the gold trade from the West to the East.

Hut, Hut, Hike! The Fed Raised Rates; Now What?

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 EST

The Kevin Warsh-led Fed is all in on the inflation fight.

The question now is: how long will it last?

My guess is not very long.

As expected, the Federal Reserve nudged interest rates higher by 25 basis points.

More significantly, they forecast at least one more hike this year, with several committee members projecting a third hike in 2027.

The rate hike boosts the federal funds target rate to between 3.75 and 4 percent. The vote was unanimous.

Little changed in the https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20260916a.htm"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">official FOMC statement. It continued to paint a rather rosy economic picture and once again asserted, “inflation remains elevated.”

The committee added language promising, “Today's policy action will support a timelier return to the Committee's 2 percent goal.”

Why Hike Now?

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Warsh carried the heavy load of Fed messaging, and he continued to emphasize the central bank’s commitment to “price stability.”

I should add that when central bankers talk about price stability, it doesn’t mean prices are stable. It means they rise at a stable rate of 2 percent annually.

Regardless, Warsh & Co. want you to know fighting inflation is job number one.

For now.

“Our predominant focus is on the price stability side of our mandate,” Warsh said during his post-meeting press conference. “The plain fact is that inflation is too high and has been for too long.”

He’s not wrong.

Price inflation has remained mired above 2 percent for years. https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/09/14/beyond-the-cpi-the-complete-inflation-story-august-2026-005198";>The August CPI came in at 3.4 percent. Core CPI (excluding more volatile food and energy prices) was much closer to the target at 2.4 percent but came in hotter than expected on a monthly basis (0.4 percent).

However, the inflation picture has looked this way for months, and the Fed has held rates steady.

Why hike now?

Warsh said several things have changed since the last meeting. He noted that recent data indicate a “strong economy,” inflation remains elevated over the summer (apparently he means August since we already knew this at the July meeting), and the geopolitical situation has deteriorated with no resolution to the war with Iran on the horizon.

“All three of those things lend themselves to a firm unanimous decision today.”

The Dot Plot Inflation Forecast

With markets already penciling in the 25-basis-point rate hike, all eyes were on the dot plots.

They indicated a suddenly much more hawkish Fed.

The majority of members anticipate one more hike this year, with the median federal funds rate projection coming in at 4.1 percent, up from 3.8 percent in June.

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The dot plot also indicates rates will stay higher for longer, with several committee members penciling in yet another rate hike in 2027.

Notably, one committee member did not submit dots. This missing plotter was almost certainly Warsh, who also abstained from submitting a forecast in July. The new Fed chair has emphasized that he does not believe in “forward guidance.” He reiterated that message during his press conference.

“I’m not in the forward guidance business. The decision we made today was a sober decision, serious decision, responsible decision, one that we have been preparing for and thinking about in my 110 or [120] days here.”

Spurning this kind of forward guidance might not be a bad idea. The dot plots are notoriously bad at anticipating the trajectory of monetary policy.

Fund manager David Hay analyzed past dot plots and found the FOMC only got interest rate projections right 37 percent of the time. And as Hay pointed out, “They control interest rates!”

For instance, in March 2021, the FOMC projected the interest rate would still be .1 percent in 2022. The actual 2022 rate was 4.375 percent. And in 2023, the vast majority of FOMC members thought the rate would still be at .1 percent. The actual rate was over 5 percent (5.375 percent, to be exact).

Was a Hike the Right Move?

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So, was the rate hike the right move?

Yes.

And no.

Remember, https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/03/19/gold-the-federal-reserve-and-a-catch-22-004773";>the Federal Reserve is caught in a Catch-22. So, there really is no good answer here.

Everything Warsh said about price inflation is correct. It’s too high. And it’s been too high for too long.

But will raising rates bring down price inflation?

Insofar as rising energy costs are driving prices higher, no. Higher interest rates won’t open the Strait of Hormuz, and they won’t pump any more oil out of the ground.

But it will likely slow money supply expansion. This is, https://youtu.be/lmvFyBBJORM?si=7JcSiyJ4DxPNYtjg"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">by definition, inflation. A growing money supply will eventually show up as rising consumer and asset prices.

Given that money supply is growing at around 5 percent and price inflation remains elevated, one can certainly make the case for a rate hike. I would argue they should have hiked rates a long time ago. In fact, I would go even further and say they should have hiked much higher during the initial hiking cycle. https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2024/02/15/the-fed-hasnt-done-enough-to-beat-price-inflation-002991";>The central bank never did enough to rein in the massive level of inflation generated during the pandemic era, much less the monetary flood during the Great Recession.

But this analysis ignores the 40-trillion-pound elephant in the room.

I’m talking about the https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2025/11/15/debt-black-hole-putting-increasing-stress-on-american-consumers-004483";>Debt Black Hole, incentivized by the aforementioned loose monetary policy during the Great Recession and pandemic.

An economy buried in debt doesn’t function in a higher-rate environment.

Economist https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/09/12/daniel-lacalle-rate-hikes-wont-fix-inflation-or-solve-the-debt-problem-005197";>Daniel Lacalle recently made this very point, arguing that rate hikes aren’t appropriate right now given the state of the economy.

"The Fed is not going to bring down the price of oil or the price of natural gas, and obviously hiking rates would be completely useless as a tool on that front. But in terms of employment, it is going to be absolutely brutal because 90 percent of the job creation in the United States, as in the Euro area or any developed economy, comes from small and medium enterprises. We have already seen that job creation is significantly less robust than other macro indicators, and that comes mostly from the very aggressive levels of financing costs that small and medium enterprises suffer in the United States.”

Warsh & Company are gambling that this hike will be enough to establish their credentials as inflation fighters, but I guarantee you, they’re hoping the oil shock will ease, CPI will cool, and they can pivot to rate cuts. Because I agree with Lacalle. I don’t think the economy will survive two hikes.

In fact, I’m not sure it will survive this one.

I’m not a forecaster, but I would almost bet interest rates will be lower in 12 months rather than higher.

Why?

Well, what do central banks do when the economy gets shaky?

They cut interest rates.

Nothing slows the roll of an inflation hawk like a crashing stock market or collapsing labor market.

In my view, a one-and-done rate hike is the most likely scenario, and the central bank will make a pretty quick pivot back to rate cuts.

But even if they manage another hike, the Debt Black Hole will eventually have its way. Even now, interest rates are too high given the debt levels and the economy's need for its easy-money drug. We're still on the path to an economic reckoning, and the money printing will continue.

In other words, all roads lead to more inflation.

Remarkable Silver Charts Point to New Uptrend

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 EST

After a sharp and sometimes https://www.moneymetals.com/silver-price";>volatile stretch for silver, the technical picture is beginning to look more encouraging.

As noted by analyst https://www.clivemaund.com/"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clive Maund, several developments showing up on the charts suggest that silver may be working its way through the recent correction and preparing for another move higher.

The charts below -- helpfully annotated by https://www.youtube.com/@clive_maund"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maund -- look at silver from several different perspectives, including the longer-term price structure as well as the more recent action.

Taken together, they suggest that selling pressure in silver may be abating and that a new uptrend could emerge in the coming days.

https://www.moneymetals.com/uploads/content/silver1year160926preplog--1-.jpg"; width="771" height="800" class="mx-auto p-3" alt="" />

The longer-term chart puts the recent decline into perspective. Silver has experienced https://www.moneymetals.com/silver-price";>a substantial correction, but that pullback needs to be viewed against the powerful advance that preceded it.

https://www.moneymetals.com/uploads/content/slv1year160926preplog--1-.jpg"; width="646" height="800" class="mx-auto p-3" alt="" />

The chart of the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) provides another way of looking at the same market. The price action, volume, and momentum indicators help illustrate how the character of the recent decline may now be changing.

https://www.moneymetals.com/uploads/content/slv4month160926preplogb--1-.jpg"; width="642" height="800" class="mx-auto p-3" alt="" />

Perhaps most interesting is this shorter-term chart. Here, a potential cup-and-handle base is taking shape — a pattern technicians often watch for as a possible precursor to an upside breakout.

If silver can complete this basing process and break above nearby resistance, it would strengthen the case that the correction has run its course and a renewed advance is beginning.

The Bottom Line: Silver has already demonstrated that it can make large moves in both directions, and volatility is likely to remain part of the picture. But after the recent correction, the technical setup is becoming considerably more constructive.

The next several trading sessions could therefore be important. A convincing breakout from the developing patterns shown above would provide further evidence that https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/08/29/peter-krauth-sees-silver-reaching-80-to-85-before-year-end-005171";>silver is ready to turn higher again.

Turning to the mining stocks, we'll leave you with one last chart below. While the gold miners lag the positive positioning we see developing in the charts for silver bullion, they, too, have repaired recent damage and are rebuilding strength.

https://www.moneymetals.com/uploads/content/gdx3month170926prep--1---1-.jpg"; width="641" height="800" class="mx-auto p-3" alt="" />

Charts and technical analysis by Clive Maund. Originally published September 16, 2026.

The Fed Meeting Isn’t the Main Story

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 EST

In this episode of the https://www.moneymetals.com/podcasts/2026/09/16/to-hike-or-not-to-hike-this-is-the-question-but-does-the-answer-really-matter-005207";>Money Metals Midweek Memo, host Mike Maharrey argues that investors are paying too much attention to the Federal Reserve’s September rate decision and too little attention to the larger fiscal pressures shaping the U.S. economy.

With CME FedWatch odds near 95% for a 25-basis-point rate increase, Maharrey said a hike by Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh appeared likely at the time of the recording (and the FOMC did, in fact, increase interest rates by 25bps). But he stressed that a single quarter-point move cannot resolve the forces driving the economy.

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A One-and-Done Rate Hike

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Maharrey said Warsh’s public commitment to the Fed’s 2% personal-consumption-expenditures inflation target has put pressure on him to demonstrate a hawkish stance. He also noted that the August jobs report was stronger than expected and that rising oil prices had reignited mainstream inflation concerns.

Still, Maharrey disputed the case for a sustained tightening cycle. CNBC survey respondents reportedly expected https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/09/15/while-everybody-obsesses-about-rate-hikes-federal-spending-marches-along-unabatted-005205";>two rate hikes over the following 12 months, while about one-third expected three. Maharrey said he believed rates would instead be lower in 12 months because the broader economy cannot tolerate significantly higher borrowing costs.

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An oil-price shock, he argued, is not the same thing as monetary inflation. Higher interest rates cannot create more oil, and he cited economist Daniel Lacalle’s point that monetary policy cannot directly remedy a supply-driven energy-price increase.

The $40 Trillion Constraint

Maharrey described the https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/08/20/40-trillion-debt-black-hole-is-a-financial-crisis-coming-005149";>U.S. government’s roughly $40 trillion debt as the issue markets should be tracking. He said the Trump administration recorded a $166.8 billion deficit in August, putting the fiscal 2026 shortfall at $1.97 trillion with one month remaining in the fiscal year.

He emphasized that calendar effects distorted the monthly data. Because certain Social Security and Medicare payments were moved into July, the adjusted August deficit was about $248 billion, or $7 billion higher than the comparable August 2025 figure, rather than the 52% decline reported in some headlines.

Through August, the federal government had received $4.85 trillion in revenue, up 3.3% from the same period in fiscal 2025, but spent $6.81 trillion, up 2.2%. Maharrey calculated that for every $1 in revenue, Washington spent $1.41, meaning 28.9% of federal outlays were financed with borrowed money.

Maharrey’s conclusion was that the problem is not inadequate revenue, but persistent overspending. In an economy reliant on debt and government-funded growth, he said, higher interest rates eventually threaten the financial structure itself.

All Roads Lead to Inflation

Whether the Fed raises rates or holds them steady, Maharrey expects the long-term outcome to be the same... economic stress followed by rate cuts, renewed monetary easing, https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/09/16/goldwin-smiths-dire-warnings-about-paper-money-matter-more-than-ever-005203";>and continuing currency debasement.

He argued that a rate hike would increase the https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/09/11/the-fed-will-hike-or-it-wont-it-really-doesnt-matter-005195";>odds of a recession or market crisis, prompting the Fed to return to near-zero rates and money creation. If the Fed does not hike, he said, it risks allowing inflationary pressures to continue. Either route, in his view, https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/08/31/gold-takes-a-hit-as-rate-hike-odds-surge-005176";>reinforces the case for holding gold and silver.

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Maharrey https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/09/12/daniel-lacalle-rate-hikes-wont-fix-inflation-or-solve-the-debt-problem-005197";>referenced a recent interview with Lacalle, who argued that selling precious metals solely because rates rise misunderstands the underlying problem. Gold and silver do not yield interest, but Maharrey contended that higher yields on the debt of an increasingly indebted government do not necessarily represent a superior long-term store of value.

Namibia Builds Its First Gold Reserve

Maharrey closed by highlighting Namibia’s new domestic gold-purchase program. In March, the Bank of Namibia signed an agreement with QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine to buy domestically produced gold on a phased basis as part of its reserve-diversification and financial-resilience strategy.

The first phase targets gold equal to 3% of Namibia’s international reserves, or roughly N$1.74 billion. As of July, Maharrey said the country had accumulated 8,574 troy ounces, valued at about N$573.4 million. Reaching the phase-one goal would require another approximately 17,000 ounces, bringing total holdings to about 25,721 ounces, or roughly 0.8 metric tons.

While small in global terms, Maharrey said Namibia’s program reflects a broader trend of central banks and governments seeking to diversify reserves amid concerns over debt, https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2026/09/10/debasement-trade-gains-ground-as-nations-reassess-dollars-bonds-and-gold-005191";>currency debasement, geopolitical uncertainty, and the dollar’s long-term role in global finance.

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Namibia Builds Its First Gold Reserve