Silver's monetary role contributing to the metal's explosive growth

Silver is increasingly becoming a global monetary metal, mostly due to inflationary concerns and the debasement of the world's major currencies. And that's the main driver for silver's surging bull market, according to some key players in the precious metals investment sector.

Rising inflation in China and India, as well as Europe's ongoing sovereignty debt crisis, are major contributors to gold and silver reverting back to their traditional "safe haven" status, according to New York-based James Steel, a precious metals analyst for HSBC Securities.  

Source: http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page31?oid=123337&sn=Detail&pid=31

In India Post Office is selling gold coins like hotcakes

The humble post office is the latest organisation to get into the gold act in India. Standard 24 carat gold coins have been selling like hotcakes at over 466 post offices dotted throughout the country.  

Despite the current high price, Indian consumers have been buying small quantities of coins to give as gifts during the festival season. With the spring, harvesting and wedding season all in full swing in India, demand for the yellow metal has shown a substantial climb.

The gold coins are manufactured by Valcambi in Switzerland. "Apart from enhancing the revenue of the postal department and services, the move has enabled us to usher in a new image of the India Post as a modern and relevant organisation. Gold coins are showing to have an immense pull-factor with the younger generation,'' said a postal official, requesting anonymity.

Source: http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page31?oid=123382&sn=Detail&pid=31