In the aftermath of gold’s violent drop at the beginning of October, it has spent the last three weeks consolidating around its 200 day moving average.  Physical coin and bar demand in North America was robust for about a week after gold’s drop under $1,300, but it has since slowed down materially.  With volatility falling, participants have grown quickly accustomed to these price levels and we need to see a break from this trading range in order to attract fresh interest.  The immediate upside target is the 200 day moving average at $1,272.  It has been challenged eight of the last fifteen trading days but hasn’t been decisively broken.  To the downside, $1,240 is near term support.  Silver’s 200 day moving average, currently at $17.40, held perfectly on two occasions as support earlier in the month.  This remains intact while offers will materialize around $18.  The time for bargain gold may end soon!