2025's Epic Ride: Gold & Silver Surge, Omega Pennies Record $16M+, and Pegasus Ownership Transition

Saturday, December 27, 2025

In this heartfelt season-finale edition of Hard Money Matters—the last show of 2025—hosts Kyle Warren and John Mabin of Pegasus Coin and Jewelry reflect on an extraordinary year of precious metals dominance, with gold maintaining strong upward momentum into the $4,300+ range (closing December around $4,325–$4,340/oz after volatile highs near $4,500) and silver blasting past $66/oz amid feverish speculation on industrial breakthroughs like Samsung's silver-enhanced long-life batteries for AI and electronics, fueling endless demand despite easing retail buying as profit-takers sell at peaks while industrial/tech needs (EVs, solar, chips) keep supply tight and prices resilient heading into 2026. They revisit standout numismatic moments, including the late-2025 discovery of a rare 1945 Lincoln cent struck on a mysterious 12–13% silver alloy planchet (sparking theories of wartime Mint experimentation or error amid WWII material shortages), the end of circulating penny production with the ultra-limited Omega-marked 2025 final cents fetching over $16.76 million total at Stack's Bowers Galleries auction (top symbolic last set at $800,000, averaging ~$72,000 per three-coin set including gold versions), and the innovative but legally challenging Shanghai gold-recycling ATM concept that melts jewelry for instant payouts—highlighting why trusted, human-guided dealers remain irreplaceable for expertise and security. The emotional centerpiece is John's announcement of Pegasus Coin and Jewelry's ownership transition effective January 2, 2026, to longtime protégé Holden Pollock (groomed over four years and beloved by customers for his role in stellar reviews and operations), allowing John to step back from daily responsibilities while staying involved occasionally—freeing time for passions like playing 1970s rock-inspired guitars (influenced by legends like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, and Robin Trower) and enjoying the hobby without the grind. They reminisce on John's nearly 50-year career evolution—from pre-internet road trips and face-to-face deals to today's brisk business—celebrating relationships, history tied to coins (sunken treasure, wartime improvisation), and the joy of numismatics as an endless exploration. With thanks to listeners and co-host Kyle, the episode looks ahead optimistically to 2026 while reminding that opinions aren't investment advice and precious metals/coins carry risks of loss—visit Pegasus in Bradenton (under new ownership soon) for appraisals or join the show next year!

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