Free Republic

President Trump believes this is his golden opportunity. The president revealed that he’s still eager to crack open Fort Knox and personally ensure that the nation’s gold reserve — valued at nearly $700 billion — is still in the highly secure bullion depository following an uproar about it last year. “We wanted to go and knock on the door of Fort Knox — a very thick door — and to see whether or not we have any gold in there,” Trump told “Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson” in an interview that dropped Sunday. Last year, former Department of Government Efficiency...

A man went out on a morning walk in southwest Norway and stumbled upon a surprise: an elite warrior's sword scabbard that was purposefully buried 1,500 years ago. The rare gold object, which was richly decorated with serpentine animals, was probably an offering to the gods at a time of famine and societal turmoil, researchers say...The sixth-century gold artifact, which is about 2.4 inches (6 centimeters) long and weighs 1.2 ounces (33 grams), once adorned the scabbard of an elite warrior's sword. Only 17 others have been discovered to date in Northern Europe, and most were found in hoards with...

Introduced in House (05/07/2024) Monetary Metals Tax Neutrality Act of 2024 This bill exempts gains or losses from the sale or exchange of certain coins or bullion from recognition for income tax purposes. The exemption applies to gains or losses from the sale or exchange of (1) gold, silver, platinum, or palladium coins minted and issued by the Department of the Treasury; or (2) refined gold or silver bullion, coins, bars, rounds, or ingots that are valued primarily based on their metal content and not their form.

GFN – LONDON: The World Gold Council reported that central banks added a net 244 tons of gold during the first quarter of 2026, the fastest accumulation pace in more than a year despite heightened price volatility across global precious-metals markets. The World Gold Council said net purchases rose from 208 tons in the previous quarter, with buying activity concentrated in March as prices declined sharply from record highs reached earlier in the year, according to its Gold Demand Trends report (via BBG). Poland, Uzbekistan, and China led the accumulation, taking advantage of softer prices following a sustained rally that...

A gold brooch attributed to the Late Germanic Iron Age has been uncovered in Denmark by metal detectorist Mikkel Warming. The object is provisionally dated to the mid-6th century AD based on typological characteristics, although further specialist assessment is required.The find was identified following a non-distinct metal-detecting signal consistent with low-value metallic debris. Subsequent excavation revealed a gold object at shallow depth within compact soil. No immediate surface indicators distinguished the signal from common modern refuse...The brooch measures approximately 40 mm in length. Its surface is densely decorated with repeated circular motifs arranged in a highly regular pattern. The ornamentation...

The bulk of the US gold reserves held in Fort Knox are made up of impure “non-standard” bars that don’t qualify for use in international settlements. In practice, this means that most of America’s massive gold stockpile is illiquid and wouldn’t be readily accepted on the international market should the need arise: “It’s a decrepit relic just like our monetary policy is. With respect to America’s gold stockpile, we hold ourselves to a lower standard than the rest of the world,” Money Metals CEO Stefan Gleason said. The French central bank recently sold 129 tonnes of similar non-standard gold that...

the first time since 1996, foreign central banks now hold more gold than U.S. Treasuries (U.S. debt) in their reserves, marking a historic turning point in global reserve management. Data published by Visual Capitalist reveals that, in the course of 2025, the share of gold in central bank reserves surpassed that of U.S. debt holdings, a trend driven by rising geopolitical uncertainty and a quest for asset diversification. Between 2021 and 2025, central banks - particularly in emerging markets like China, India and Turkey - significantly increased their gold holdings. This move reflects a broader strategy to reduce reliance on...

U.S. Fiscal Situation Continues to Deteriorate In just the past week, the debt and deficits of the United States took further blows as spending increases, falling revenues, and geopolitical hostilities tightened the funding vice. Distractions vs. Long-Term Trends Even if you're primarily a precious metal investor, you've likely been distracted by war headlines for the past few weeks. Over that same time, however, other long-term headlines have surfaced that will greatly impact gold and silver over time. You may have missed them, so, for this week's post, let's recap. Monthly Treasury Report – March Deficit Let's start with the latest...

Mike Maharrey’s latest Money Metals Midweek Memo zeroed in on two big themes with major implications for sound money investors. First, much of the gold supposedly backing America’s financial credibility may be lower-quality metal that does not meet modern international standards. Second, the silver market could be heading into even tighter supply conditions as a new disruption tied to China threatens copper production and, by extension, silver output. The result was an episode that tied together history, monetary policy, and today’s metals markets in a way that made the stakes feel immediate. Maharrey’s central argument was simple. Physical metal still...

Gold prices dropped sharply following comments from Donald Trump late Wednesday evening, after he addressed the nation on the ongoing Iran conflict but failed to provide clarity on how or when it might end. At a time when geopolitical tensions are escalating and uncertainty remains high, gold would typically surge as a safe-haven asset. After Trump’s latest speech failed to provide clarity on how or when the conflict with Iran might end, gold fell more than 2–3% in early trading, while oil prices surged and markets began pricing in a very different economic outcome.For investors, this shift is critical. It...

FRANCE COMPLETES REPATRIATION OF 129 METRIC TONS OF GOLD RESERVES BY SELLING GOLD HELD AT THE NY FED, BUYING NEW BARS IN PARIS⚠️ France just “repatriated” their gold reserves held at the NY Fed by selling them & using the proceeds to buy new “modern” gold bars in Paris according to an article from Reuters: “A 2024 internal audit recommended completing the ​process for the small share of French gold still held ⁠in New York. The residual stock of 129 metric tons, or about ​5% of France’s total gold reserves, was upgraded by selling the gold ​and buying compliant bars...

With its economy strangled by international sanctions, Iran is turning more than ever to the wealth hidden beneath its soil. And now, a stunning revelation: a colossal gold deposit has been found in the Shadan mine, located in the country’s eastern region. Estimated at over 61 million tons of ore, this find could reshape the balance of the global gold market. Iran’s subsoil is rich in untapped treasure. The nation is already known for its substantial gold resources—around fifteen mines are currently active. For a country hampered by years of economic restrictions, mining has become nothing less than a lifeline....

Gold is supposed to be one of the first assets investors run to when the world gets dangerous. War in the Middle East, oil supply disruptions, rising inflation fears, and a more hawkish interest rate outlook should, in theory, create a near-perfect backdrop for the precious metal. Instead, gold has done the opposite. It has sold off hard, leaving many investors wondering whether one of the market’s oldest safe-haven trades is starting to fail when it is needed most. That disconnect matters. Gold is not just another commodity. For many investors, central banks, and households around the world, it represents...

ICBC and Agricultural Bank of China have run out of investment gold bars. And silver premiums over London spot are 13%. Comex silver contract is sinking into irrelevance. Last weekend, the US and Israel attacked Iran and the week’s news was dominated by another Middle East war. Markets’ gut reaction was to mark down investment assets and mark up dollars. Consequently, in the confusion gold and silver declined on the week as the dollar rallied. In European trade this morning gold was $5090, down $230 from last Friday’s close, and silver at $82.70 was down $11 over the same timescale....

According to a statement released by the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the Romans extracted gold from alluvial deposits in the Eastern Pyrenees. Using optically stimulated luminescence dating techniques, Oriol Olesti Vila of the UAB and Jorge Sanjurjo-Sánchez of the University of A Coruña dated two samples of fill from the remains of an ancient hydraulic structure on the Segre River to the third and fourth centuries A.D. The researchers explained that Roman miners would have eroded gold deposits from the riverbanks with water, and then washed them, either by channeling water through the sediments or flooding the sediments with...

Auston Matthews’ triumphant return to Toronto could have gone a lot worse. The Maple Leafs recognized their three Olympians during Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators, their first home game since the conclusion of the 2026 Winter Olympics. At the first TV timeout of the contest, fans erupted in applause for Sweden’s William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson — before giving a mixed reaction toward the Maple Leafs captain. Of course, the star center had more recently captained Team USA to its first men’s hockey Olympic gold medal since 1980 at Canada’s expense. Jeers sprouted from the crowd as the...

Kitco News) - In a historic shift for state level finance, Texas has officially moved from a passive storage model to an active, state run bullion supply chain. The rollout, announced live from the Texas State Capitol, introduces a first of its kind dot gov storefront that allows the public to purchase state branded gold and silver directly from the Comptroller office. The initiative marks the first time a U.S. state has facilitated a closed loop system for precious metals, bridging the gap between manufacturing, vaulting, and direct to consumer sales. Texas is the first state to facilitate a closed...

Amateurs using metal detector located the tomb and after the initial major finds they contacted the archaeological authorities.The well-preserved grave contained an uncharacteristically large 12th-century sword as well as what appeared to be a Viking-age blade that may have been part of a cremation ceremony.The find was brought to light in a field in Hyvikkälä, Janakkala, which had showed signs of pre-historic settlement, by amateur metal detectorists After uncovering a few minor objects, the metal detector picked up a spear tip and an axe blade. After some digging, the group discovered a broken sword. At this point, the hobbyists broke...

President de Gaulle of France initiated the secret operation “Vide-Gousset” and repatriated 3,313 tonnes of gold reserves from the vaults of the Federal Reserve in New York and the Bank of England in London from 1963 until 1966. De Gaulle feared America’s deficit in its balance of payments would rupture Bretton Woods and lead to a devaluation of the dollar against gold. All France’s dollars were converted into gold, and to avoid treachery, the metal was repatriated over the course of three years. It took 44 boat trips and 129 flights to bring home more than three thousand tonnes of...

In Greek mythology, Cassandra was granted the power to see the future, but cursed so that no one would believe her. She warned of disaster repeatedly, only to be ignored until tragedy struck. Today, the United States has its own modern-day Cassandras, and once again our warnings are being dismissed. Knowledgeable experts have cautioned that our nation’s fiscal path is unsustainable. Federal budget documents themselves have repeatedly sounded the alarm. Credit rating agencies have raised increasingly serious concerns. Despite these warnings, Washington continues to behave as though time is unlimited and there are no consequences to continuing to ignore the...