Gold/Silver Vs. Copper

Copper has been considered strictly an industrial metal but it has been rising for some time now. If the drop you speak of is from the last 2 weeks, it's probably a temporary consolidation. The trend is still up.

From what I've read recently copper is most closely linked to industrial use, and the biggest player by far is China. China has just recently raised interest rates, in essence, voluntarily slowing its economic growth to curb inflation. That's why copper has slumped after a big jump last month.

Conversely gold and silver are being bought and taken physical possession of due to many factors. Inflation fears, government shutdown in the U.S., rising prices of oil, Japan aftermath, and Middle East unrest come to mind. In Asian nations with growing middle classes precious metals especially gold have cultural relevance. China is encouraging citizens to buy PMs and is importing gold. In India you have gold as part of a dowry for a proper wedding.

Everythinhg I've read says the world's supply of silver is very tight, both through speculation, investors, and industrial use, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, like oil, I guess! Can only go UP!

Thank you Gentlemen, I was getting worried! I do save back the pre-82 pennies I find but that is not many as I do not sort coins. I have been collecting copper from an older neighbor hood that is being removed/leveled to make room for parking and who knows what. I noticed that all the copper wire, water pipes, and gas lines were being dug up and just thrown in a dumpster. At the end of each day I try and pull out what copper I can save. When the back of my pick up is full I planned to haul it in for scrap. I have been waiting for scrap to get to $3.50 a lb. but then noticed the over all price of copper was dropping and wondered if I missed the peak!

I call this my PM fund.....recycle Alum cans, brass, and copper to buy Gold/silver. Two months ago I got a very nice Half Eagle for my Alum cans and brass!

Yes willy13........"WOW!".

So I noticed cooper prices had really gone up in the last week, and my wife was getting sick of all that copper in the back yard, I took it all to the scrap yard yesterday. That is when I found out they only adjust their prices every month or so! Took in almost 500 lb.s and got over $1,200.00! I know, that is only about $2.40 a lb. Here is the kicker.......They are paying about $3/lb. for "Bare Brite" but that is for wire ONLY! And if it has any thing wrong with it, it goes to "#1 CU" which is going for $2.65/lb. Brand new copper pipe sections are "#1 CU", etc.....Then there is "#2 CU" at $2.40, and wire w/insulation does not even bring $2/lb.

So lets say they DO allow us, or you find a way around, and you can sell your pre-82 pennies for melt. What would you get?

150000 pennies or 150000 dollars?

^Sorry but if you are only 25 you need to diversify. $30-45 per week into the S&P index or any other market index will yeild MUCH more than speculating on copper for the next 35 years. Really...look at the historical trends. Just sayin'