The demand for
gold bullion because of its investment potential has led to a sharp increase in the UK’s Royal Mint production. During April, May and June 2009 output rose to 16,910 ounces compared to 8,030 ounces for the same period in the previous year.
It’s widely recognized that the increased demand for gold as a physical and tangible investment is due to the worst recession experienced in post war Britain. Gold is seen to be a reliable store of wealth in difficult economic times.
Trends are moving towards individual and very often small investors who
buy gold in the form of gold bullion and gold bar.
During the first quarter of the year demand for gold coins also doubled compared to the same period in 2008. For example, Rand Refinery Ltd which is globally the biggest gold refiner increased coin production to the highest levels in approximately 23 years in January this year. Whilst, at the same time, the Austrian mint, Muenze Oesterreich AG, reported that it sold a record breaking 1.5 million ounces of gold last year.