Germans may soon be able to purchase gold in vending machines at the country’s airports and rail stations. It is said that the machines will charge a 30 percent premium (!) and prices will be updated every few minutes. Gold has generated significant investor attention, particularly in Germany, since the financial crisis hit. (HT: Naked Capitalism) [%comments]
Would You Like Some Gold With Your Chocolate?
and 
. You can also watch it on 
At a 30% premium, every bet is a losing one.
“A camera on the machine monitors transactions for money laundering controls, Mr Geissler said.”
This introduces an amusing market in disguises. I am already planning mine. Somebody has too much time on their hands…and too much money.
we have this in america- funny machine tho- you have to pull on a lever and every so often some gold coins flow out- overall, the 30% premium is equivalent
Obviously I need to go create a business where people can exchange their dirty old currency for crisp new bills.
I’ll only charge $1.20 per dollar though, because I’m such a nice guy and have the interests of the consumer at heart.
I can’t think of a better testament to the fact that Gold prices are either in or approaching a bubble state.
The Financial Times story caught my eye this morning…
Aside from the idiocy of such a scheme — mentioned in the comments above — I wonder about the impact of the Germans purported love of gold as a hedge against currency devaluation and the effect it has on the Euro…
Is there really that big a market for Gold in Germany?