lubi29

The bosses of the oil business - Russia and Saudi have been selling to China in yuan for several years. i heard of suggestions that Saudi would be selling in yuan as far back as 2016. If you pour through Saudi Aramco paperwork you can find the company has been selling yuan denominated bonds. For sure Saudi has been selling oil to China in yuan  since September 2019. This is all part of global de-dollarisation which on the whole goes under the radar. 
i note that Saudi and UAE has refused to increase production - start cutting off Russian oil and you have an oil crisis in Europe. Russia is not alone. There are many old scores to be settled.
Having the world reserve currency is a privilege which comes with responsibilities. The US started abusing the dollar back in the 1960's and reneged on Breton Woods in 1971. The US has used the dollar as a weapon - sanctions are threatened at the drop of a hat. They have killed the dollar - we are now witnessing the funeral.

Fair assumption. Rouble down 28% at start on Monday trading.
Interestingly they have apparently set up a oil/gas for Rupees trade with India. 
"While many may see Russia’s delinking from SWIFT purely as an evaporation of access to dollars, on the other side of the transaction, Russia will now be selling its oil for other currencies. India and Russia are already in talks to set up an Oil for Rupee trade. Russian exporters are reportedly opening bank accounts in New Delhi so that they can trade on rupee terms. India has a long-standing relationship with Russia, who supplies them with gas, coal and fertilizer. With the Saudis dropping their exclusivity agreement with the US dollar agreeing in 2021 to Oil made its first pass triple digit psychological resistance on Thursday.
 
Seeing sanctions on major Russian exports Oil and Gas initially saw the two move higher as markets priced in reducing supply. When the second tranche of sanctions were effectively more of the same (i.e. more sanctions on banks, export ban on technology to Russia, more restrictions on individuals in Russia), markets saw that there was no further targeting of oil and gas. With that, prices in the two energy commodities cooled off. Russian oil accounts for approximately 9% of global output.
However, these market reactions, as well as the raft of other sanctions, were most likely expected by Russia. We have drawn readers’ attention multiple times to the Russian Central Bank’s accumulation of gold reserves over the last number of years. Being kicked out of SWIFT upon their ‘crossing of the Rubicon’ can’t be coming as a surprise to Moscow. If leaving SWIFT leaves the western world without Russian oil, cost of living pressures at the petrol pump are about to start heading north in Western Europe. "
https://www.ainsliebullion.com.au/gold-silver-bullion-news/swift-russia-and-shifting-tectonic-plates-in-payments/tabid/88/a/2707/default.aspx
 

2022 Proof Sovereign

Okay so I made time to do some research especially for @dikefalos, @NewCoins and @SilverJacks 😀
Firstly, James I had quite a few portraits during his reign (some are so detailed and gorgeous, despite being hammered coins, that it puts current RM designers to shame with their bland and easy designs!).
I have tried to narrow down my guesses to coins that use the exact same inscription specified in the Gazette entry.
IACOBVS · D : G : MAG : BRIT : FRAN : ET · HIB : REX ·

The coins also have all sorts of mint marks on the obverse, so it’ll be interesting to see if one of these are also reproduced or omitted.
Here we go…
 
James I Unite. Second coinage, 1604-19; second bust. Lis mint mark.

 
 
James I Unite. Second coinage, 1604-19; fourth bust. Rose mint mark.


 
James I Double Crown. Second coinage, 1604-1619; fourth bust. Coronet mint mark.

The RM had sold one of these at one point, with a “rose to bell” mint mark (whatever that means).
https://www.royalmint.com/our-coins/ranges/historic-coins/monarch/james-i/James-I-Gold-Double-Crown-second-Coinage-NGC-XF45/
 
James I Laurel. Third coinage, 1619-1620; first bust. Spur rowel mint mark.



Scottish Double Crown

 

As for my guess… I have none.
I would love to see the Second coinage, second bust (the first pic above) because the portrait is so detailed and lovely. Also, the crown extends to the inscription and has an off-kilter but imposing presence.
However I think the RM will take the easy and safe path, and pick a design that is easy to replicate, like the Second coinage, fourth bust (second pic) or Scottish Double Crown (last pic) because the portrait is simple, and also fits neatly within the outer inscription circle.
What are your guesses? 🙂

Made the decision, i'm taking a "time out" from the vast majority of new release purchases, and will be spending 2022 paying off the 0% APR debts of 2021 purchases
i will only be purchasing next Great Engravers at Royal Mint at RRP this year
Any spare cash/winnings that come me way, i will be buying up more 2022 proof sovereigns for the long run, slow burn appreciation 
Wise ? or anyone's thoughts on this ??

I was browsing the Gazette and noticed a new proclamation dated Feb 17 2022 about Sovereigns.
See details after the break below.
The original proclamation about the 2022 “Coat of Arms” Sovereigns was made last year.

The only difference, as far as I can gauge, is the “plain edge”.
I wonder if this proclamation is just meant to cover that super exclusive plain edge piedfort 5-coin Sovereign set that is being offered to Premium Platinum Plus members.
It’s strange because the new Proclamation doesn’t state the piedfort / double weights of any of the Sovereign denominations.
I wonder if the RM intends actually releasing a whole new plain edge range? 🤯
 
——————
BY THE QUEEN A PROCLAMATION ALTERING THE PROCLAMATION OF THE FOURTH DAY OF OCTOBER 1953 TO DETERMINE A NEW DESIGN FOR FIVE POUND, TWO POUND, SOVEREIGN AND HALF SOVEREIGN GOLD COINS ELIZABETH R.
Whereas under section 3(1)(b) and (h) of the Coinage Act 1971 We have power, with the advice of Our Privy Council, by Proclamation to determine the design of coins to be made at Our Mint, and to alter any Proclamation previously made under the said section:
And Whereas by Our Proclamation dated the fourth day of October 1953 We determined, among other matters, the design of coins of the denominations of five pounds, two pounds, sovereign and half sovereign in gold:
And Whereas it appears to Us desirable to determine a new design for the said gold coins:
We, therefore, in pursuance of the said section 3(1)(b) and (h) and of all other powers enabling Us in that behalf, do hereby, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council, proclaim, direct and ordain as follows:
1. In paragraph (1) under the heading ‘GOLD COINS’ of Our said Proclamation of the fourth day of October 1953, for ‘Five-Pound Piece- Every five-pound piece shall have for the obverse impression Our effigy with the inscription “ELIZABETH II ∙DEI ∙ GRATIA ∙ REGINA F: D:” and for the reverse the image of Saint George armed, sitting on horseback, attacking the dragon with a sword, and a broken spear upon the ground, and the date of the year. The coins shall have a graining upon the edge.’ there shall be substituted:
‘Five-Pound Piece- Every five-pound piece, shall have for the obverse impression Our effigy with the inscription “· ELIZABETH II ∙ DEI ∙ GRA · REGINA ∙ FID ∙ DEF”, and for the reverse a depiction of Our Royal Coat of Arms and the date of the year. The coin shall have either a grained or plain edge.’
2. In paragraph (2) under the heading ‘GOLD COINS’ of Our said Proclamation of the fourth day of October 1953, for ‘Two-Pound Piece- Every two-pound piece shall have the same obverse and reverse impression and inscription in all respects as the five-pound piece. The coin shall have a graining upon the edge.’ there shall be substituted:
‘Two-Pound Piece- Every two-pound piece shall have the same obverse and reverse impression and inscription in all respects as the five-pound piece. The coin shall have either a grained or plain edge.’
3. In paragraph (3) under the heading ‘GOLD COINS’ of Our said Proclamation of the fourth day of October 1953, for ‘Sovereign- Every sovereign shall have the same obverse and reverse impression and inscription in all respects as the five-pound piece. The coin shall have a graining upon the edge.’ there shall be substituted: 
‘Sovereign- Every sovereign shall have the same obverse and reverse impression and inscription in all respects as the five-pound piece. The coin shall have either a grained or plain edge.’
4. In paragraph (4) under the heading ‘GOLD COINS’ of Our said Proclamation of the fourth day of October 1953, for ‘Half-Sovereign- Every half-sovereign shall have the same obverse and reverse impression and inscription in all respects as the five-pound piece. The coin shall have a graining upon the edge’ there shall be substituted:
‘Half-Sovereign- Every half-sovereign shall have the same obverse and reverse impression and inscription in all respects as the five-pound piece. The coin shall have either a grained or plain edge.’
5. This Proclamation shall come into force on the seventeenth day of February Two thousand and twenty-two.
Given at Our Court at Windsor Castle, this sixteenth day of February in the year of our Lord Two thousand and twenty-two and in the seventy-first year of Our Reign.
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3988969

A couple of things delivered yesterday, thanks to @GoldDiggerDavefor the portrait, 1oz brit and philharmonic and @UAL787for the kangaroo. Incidently, does anyone know what capsule I need for the kangaroo? The ones I have are too small. 

Finally my 5oz silver Gothic Crown arrived today. It looks pretty good. 

Got my 1 Oz silver Seymour Panther reverse proof set today.
The reverse frosting shows some lovely iridescence at certain angles.😍

Big thanks to @GoldDiggerDave @BleyerBullion @Goldfinga and a nice gentleman offsite for today's arrivals 😀 
Like to thank the postman too of course,he's plays his part🤣

1st time I ve seen Britannia Platinum Bars (1 oz /100 gr)

Only Silver one.

Just received my graded QE platinum jubilee sovereigns pretty happy with them. Gonna stash these away now 

Love this design

Only Silver one.

Only Silver one.

Only Silver one.

Only Silver one.

Only Silver one.

Only Silver one.

Only Silver one.

Only Silver one.

Only Silver one.

Only Silver one.

Only Silver one.