Palladium bullion
Palladium is a noble metal, sister to platinum. These metals are also sometimes referred to as the "noble" metals. Palladium tied closely with platinum from both history and its properties.
The history of Palladium is tied with the history of the platinum group metals because they usually are found together in some combination and because their history is one of determining how to separate them.
Sources of palladium production are quite limited. More than 80% of world palladium production is concentrated in just two countries: the Russian Federation and South Africa. The Russian Federation alone accounts for nearly half of total palladium supply.
When Spanish explorers first encountered palladium in the course of their feverish pursuit of gold in the New World in the late 16th century, they completely disregarded its value. Over the centuries, however, palladium's intrinsic value and its many important uses, has become readily apparent.
In addition to its myriad industrial applications, palladium has also proved to be a popular metal in the making of jewelry.
As a precious metal and as an industrial metal with limited supply, palladium has investment opportunities for both the large and small investor.
The purchase price of bullion from reputable dealers is normally on a spot plus basis, that is, the current market spot price of the metal plus the dealer markup or transaction fee.
When the investor wishes to sell the bullion, the bullion dealer will purchase it back, again at spot. A transaction fee may apply.
As with other forms of precious metal bullion, ownership of palladium offers the similar investment opportunities as the better known gold or silver.
Palladium bullion is the form of palladium traded for investment purposes. From palladium metal, palladium coins, rounds and bars are made to form a physical product that is bought or sold on the basis of the palladium content. But only Canada makes palladium bullion coins, and only a select few have issued commemorative palladium coins. As with other forms of precious metal bullion, ownership of palladium offers the similar investment opportunities as the better known gold or silver.
The highest refined purity palladium available is refined by Johnson Matthey from ore mined by the Stillwater Mining Company. In 2004, Northwest Territorial Mint pioneered the minting of .9995 pure palladium bullion in bars and rounds of various sizes commemorating the Lewis and Clark "Corps of Discovery" bicentennial. These coins will satisfy collectors and investors alike with their detail and clarity. Such bullion comes sealed in a plastic card containing the assay certificate number.
