US Mint Gold and Silver Coin Demand Sets October Records

October was explosive for US bullion coins. Unprecedented demand for gold and silver coins elevated the month with US Mint recorded sales levels that are either at or near the top of the all-time high charts.

Bullion American Gold Buffalo and American Silver Eagle coins enjoyed their best October ever.

For the Silver Eagles, more than double the amount were sold last month at 2,939,000, than in any previous October. The month also stands out as the time when 2009 became the best selling year ever for eagles — dating all the way back to their launch in 1986. The latest numbers pad the tally further with 23,406,500 delivered in the first 10 months of this year.

American Silver Eagle Bullion Coin Sales, Oct. 1986-2009

The 24 karat, one-ounce bullion Gold Buffalo coins were released on Oct. 15. By the 31st, 116,500 were ordered. No other two weeks sales of the coins approaches comparison. The following table displays the annual sales figures since the series began in 2006, placing a perspective on how strong demand was during those two October weeks.

Annual American Buffalo Gold Bullion Sales: 2006-2009

Despite the release of the bullion Buffalos which offered new competition in the gold coin market, American Gold Eagles shined as well, albeit slightly less bright. 115,500 left US Mint inventories, making October the 5th best ever for the series which began in 1986. The month tied sales in September, to share the title as the fourth best month in 2009. To date, 1,069,500 have been sold this year.

American Gold Eagle Bullion Coin Sales, Oct. 1986-2009

Fractional 2009 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins in the one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce weights are schedule for release on December 3.

The US Mint sells bullion gold and silver coins for a small amount over the current spot price of bullion, but only to authorized purchasers. The authorized purchasers in turn resell the coins to coin dealers, precious metal providers and/or directly to the public.