Opening demand for the 2012-W Proof Platinum Eagle coin was lukewarm when contrasted against past starts in the series, according to the latest sales figures from the United States Mint.

Sales of the 2012-W Proof Platinum Eagle Coin started at 2,461
Buyers purchased 2,461 of the 99.95% fine platinum coins between their release on August 9, 2012 and August 13, 2012. At $1,692 a pop, that represents a dollar total of $4,164,012.
Last year’s proof Platinum Eagle coin scored debuting sales of nearly $14.2 million, although each was priced $400 higher.
Despite its numismatic value, pressuring sales was the price of platinum. While other precious metals advanced last week, the precious metal logged a weekly loss of 1.0%. Since there is no rush to purchase the coin with a stated mintage of 15,000, collectors may be staying on the sideline in hopes of an eventual Platinum Eagle price reduction.
Here is a picture of comparing unit sales debuts since 2009:
2009-2012 Proof American Platinum Eagle Sales Debut
Debut Price | Debut Sales Period | Debut Sales | Units Sold Per Day | Final Sales / Mintages | |
2012 Proof Platinum Eagle Coin | $1,692 | 5 Days | 2,461 | 492 | ? / 15,000 |
2011 Proof Platinum Eagle Coin | $2,092 | 4 Days | 6,786 | 1,697 | ? / 15,000* |
2010 Proof Platinum Eagle Coin | $1,892 | 6 Days | 8,268 | 1,378 | 10,000 / 10,000 |
2009 Proof Platinum Eagle | $1,792 | 4 Days | 7,207 | 1,802 | 8,000 / 8,000 |
*Last year’s proof remains available and has current sales of 14,836 for a weekly increase of 76. It went on sale May 26, 2011 at a starting price of $2,092. As platinum prices have fallen since, the 2011-dated coin is now priced the same as the 2012 issue.
This year’s coin is the fourth issued within the six-year "Preamble Series." Its reverse design features the theme "To Provide for the Common Defence." It may be ordered directly from the United States Mint online store http://www.usmint.gov or by calling 1-800-872-6468.
coinnews.net –
Thanks for headlining the number of units sold rather than the useless (to collectors) total dollars sold.