American Gold and Silver Eagle Bullion Coins Break Losing Streak

For the first time this year, the United States Mint's American Gold and Silver Eagle bullion coins recorded higher monthly sales than the year ago period.

The economic turmoil and uncertainties experienced during 2008 led to renewed interest in precious metals investment. This situation led to problems for the United States Mint, which was unable to produce an adequate supply of bullion coins to meet public demand. The often dubbed "unprecedented demand" led to temporary sales suspensions and prolonged periods of allocation, during which available supplies were rationed amongst authorized purchasers.

Despite the suspensions and rationing, sales of the American Silver Eagle bullion coins reached an all time annual sales record of 19,583,500 coins in 2008. This was followed by successive record breaking annual sales totals in 2009, 2010, and 2011, when annual sales reached 39,868,500 coins.

Demand finally seemed to slow during 2012, with monthly sales levels for both Gold and Silver Eagles falling below year ago levels for each month from January to September. The streak was finally broken with the sales figures for October 2012, which narrowly surpassed the sales figures from October 2011.

2011 vs. 2012 American Gold Eagle Sales

2011 vs. 2012 American Silver Eagle Sales

For October 2012, sales of American Gold Eagle bullion coins accounted for 59,000 ounces. Although this was down from the prior month when 68,500 ounces were sold, it was up from the year ago period when sales were 50,000 ounces.

For the year to date, Gold Eagle sales have now reached 540,500 troy ounces. This is tracking about 40% below the pace of sales from last year.

American Silver Eagle monthly sales reached 3,153,000 ounces. Once again this was a decline from the previous month when 3,255,000 ounces were sold, however it was up from the year ago period when sales reached 3,064,000.

For the year to date, Silver Eagle sales have reached 28,948,000 ounces. This is down by about 21% from sales for the comparable period of last year.

October 2012 US Mint Bullion Coin Sales

The United States Mint also offers the 24 karat American Gold Buffalo bullion coins. Sales reached 11,000 of one ounce coins for the month, bringing the year to date total to 107,500.

The America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins reached monthly sales of 22,100 coins, accounting for 110,500 troy ounces of silver. The latest design for the series featuring Denali National Park was released on October 22 and contributed more than half of the monthly sales.

For the year to date, ATB silver bullion program sales include 10,800 of the 2011-dated coins, 18,100 of the 2012 El Yunque National Forest coins, 18,200 of the Chaco Culture National Historical Pare coins, 21,800 of the Acadia National Park coins, 15,000 of the Hawai'i Volcanoes coins, and 12,500 of the Denali National Park coins.