The United States Mint released the opening sales figures for the recently issued 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coins which celebrate and recognize the Medal of Honor’s establishment in 1861.
The Medal of Honor coins are available in gold and silver and in numismatic proof or uncirculated. Having only been released on Friday, February 25, their sales debut period is a relatively short three days as the US Mint published its figures as of Sunday, February 27. In fact, the time period is cut further given the commemorative coins were launched at noon ET.
Buyers handed out more money for the 2011 Medal of Honor Silver Dollars than the 2011 Medal of Honor $5 Gold Coins, as was the case with the first round of commemoratives issued this year which honor the founding and history of the U.S. Army, the 2011 U.S. Army Commemorative Coins.
Obviously, price is a big factor. The gold coins are sold for more than $430 a piece while the silver dollars are toward $50. The following table has the US Mint published sales debut figures as well as the current pricing for the coins:
Debut Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Sales Figures
| Introductory Price |
Opening Sales* |
Sales Total |
Mintage Limits |
|
| $5 Gold Proof | $449.95 | 4,699 | 3,295 | 100,000 |
| $5 Gold Uncirculated | $439.95 | 1,890 | ||
| Silver Dollar Proof | $54.95 | 25,156 | 35,502 | 500,000 |
| Silver Dollar Uncirculated | $49.95 | 10,346 |
Combined across all options and discounting shipping and handling fees, the US Mint took in just over $4.84 million in sales during a three-day period. The $5 gold coins, due to their larger price, brought in the most at just over $2.94 million. The silver dollars accounted for nearly $1.9 million of the sales total.
Surcharges from the sale of each $5 gold coin and silver dollar will be paid to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to help finance their educational, scholarship and outreach programs.
The US Mint will end its introductory sales period for the Medal of Honor coins after 5:00 p.m. ET on March 28, 2011.
Each commemorative may be purchased directly from the US Mint on its website (http://catalog.usmint.gov/) or through its toll free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
These are great looking coins and it’s an honor to be a part of the Medal of Honor Commemorative program. I purchased the Proof Gold $5 coin and I’m very excited to receive it. I find it hard to believe that they can’t ship it until April 25th.
I had to skip the dollar coin as it’s not feasible at this time. That’s a nice way of saying I’m broke. =)