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Comment Let’s be fair – IT isn’t the only industry fraught with jargon, but it can certainly hold its head up high among the leaders in the field of gobbledygook.…

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AP - A woman quietly left $40,000 worth of rare U.S. coins near a Catholic shrine for safekeeping so the Virgin Mary could watch over her life savings while she was out of town, and apparently it worked: The money was returned to her when she got back a week later.

With gold prices pounding on new highs, many of the US Mint’s gold coins enjoyed stronger sales last week, although $20 UHRs dropped back and proof Buffalo coins continue to slow.

The newly released Lincoln Presidency cent two-roll sets are visible in this week’s report. The initial numbers are solid. Braille Silver Dollars, which will go off sale in less than a month, also picked up nicely. These and more highlights follow:

• 2009 Buffalo Gold Proof Coin sales continue to soften as compared to their first few days following their Oct. 19 launch. Another 4,316 were added, which is down nearly half from last week’s reported increase of 8,487. On the other hand, the bullion one-ounce versions climbed 13,500 versus the prior 11,000.

• American Silver Eagles topped 25 million this week. Their latest seven-day sales rose by 750,000, which is down from the prior 850,000. American Gold Eagles are moving faster. 41,500 were sold in the last seven days compared to the previous 30,000.

• UHR $20 Double Eagles snapped a two-week winning streak. Numbers came in at 1,098 and lagged behind the last gain of 1,453. The year-to-date tally is at 104,862.

• Louis Braille Silver Dollars improved across the board. A combined 208,272 have now been sold for all offerings. The Mint will take the Braille products off sale on Dec. 11 at 5:00 PM ET.

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Read the rest of US Mint Sales: Braille Dollars Rise, Gold Coins Jump (1,124 words)

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© Mike Unser for Coin News, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Want more on these topics? Browse the archive of posts filed under Coin or Numismatic News, First Spouse Gold Coins and Medals, Mint Sales Figures, United States Mint News and Information.

"Beautiful Places: Landmarks and Mintmarks" is the theme of 2010 National Coin Week, April 18-24. The theme celebrates the many landmarks and scenic places that have inspired the designs on coins and paper money. It was chosen by a panel of American Numismatic Association staff and club members active in the annual celebration.

Clubs are invited to help the ANA celebrate the week by participating in a number of fun and educational events involving geography on coins. A scavenger hunt will be held in the form of a "road trip" visiting beautiful places that have inspired designs on currency, and a program will be available for clubs to hold at their April meetings. Prizes will be awarded for individuals and clubs.

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New York gold futures reached higher Wednesday to set a new record at $1,153.40 an ounce. Demand brightened for the yellow metal as the US dollar slid against world currencies. The other metals followed, hitting more than 12-month highs. Some settling occurred later, with platinum ending lower on the day.

In other markets, crude oil finished up for a third trading session while US stocks retreated from 13-month highs.

New York precious metal figures follow:

• Silver for December delivery finished up 2.8 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $18.415 an ounce. It ranged from $18.325 to $18.855 — the highest level since July 2008.

• Gold for December delivery advanced $1.80 to $1,141.20 an ounce. It ranged from $1,136.00 to $1,153.40 — an all-time high.

• January platinum declined $10.50, or 0.7 percent, to $1,452.00 an ounce. It ranged from $1,442.50 to $1,471.70 — the highest since Sept. 2008

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Read the rest of Gold Touches $1,153/oz, US Stocks Retreat (3,380 words)

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The cost of living in the US rose more than expected in October, as the price of fuel, food and cars helped drive costs higher, according to a Labor Department report released Wednesday.

Consumer prices rose 0.3 percent in the month after a 0.2 percent increase in September, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. Many analysts were expecting a 0.2 percent increase, according to reports.

Core inflation, which exclude volatile food and energy costs, rose by 0.2 percent.

"I don’t see anything in the report that suggests there’s any real inflation flare-up," Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. in New York, said on Bloomberg. "The Fed is comfortably on hold."

Annual US inflation fell 0.2 percent. Core 12-month inflation rose 1.7 percent after a 1.5 percent rise was noted in September. The reading is within the Federal Reserve’s 1 percent to 2 percent comfort zone, although it is approaching the upper boundary.

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Read the rest of US Inflation Rises, Inflation Calculator Update (402 words)

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Good Day,

Today’s market news and analysis roundup begins with the -by now- ‘normal’ observance of yet another price record having been achieved by gold. During the hours preceding the New York session’s opening, spot gold touched the $1150 level (plus 30 cents) as the US dollar broke under the 75 mark on the trade weighted index once again. The metal remains overbought and continues to dart around in uncharted territory. Other commodities also climbed, with oil rising back towards $80 a barrel and copper to 13-1/3 month highs near $7,000 a tonne, as the US currency traded at 1.493 against the euro. This morning’s main trading focus was on US CPI figures and US housing starts.

Gold traders were looking for CPI-based clues as to the next direction of trade, both due to its effect on the currency markets and on bullion itself, which is often seen as an inflation hedge. But, at this juncture, we rather feel that any news is translated into "bullish-eze." "Low inflation pressures are traditionally a negative for gold prices," said HSBC analyst James Steel in a market note. "If, however, weak inflation data are seen as allowing the Fed to continue to pursue easy monetary policies, this may be seen as supportive of gold."

As it turns out, inflation figures came in higher than expected, rising 0.3% - driven mainly by an increase in energy and commodity prices. Core CPI was seen at 1.7% over the past year. The inflation data should of course help gold, but the dollar turned up slightly after the news release, although sources we polled were not sure whether to point at the inflation numbers or the very poor housing starts figures.

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Read the rest of Gold, Silver, Metal Prices: Commentary - 11/18/2009 (2,515 words)

© Jon Nadler, Kitco Metals Inc. for Coin News, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Want more on these topics? Browse the archive of posts filed under Bullion Articles and Precious Metal Reports, Business News, Commentary.

The Royal Canadian Mint is inviting Canadians to save the latest circulation coin in its Vancouver 2010 collection — the 25-cent coin celebrating the women’s hockey gold at Salt Lake City in 2002.

The launch of the coin was commemorated today at a special event for local hockey youth with special guests including member of the 2002 women’s Olympic hockey team, Danielle Goyette and members of the Montreal Juniors Hockey Club.

"Canada’s women’s hockey team demonstrated the true meaning of spirit and determination when they won the gold medal on February 21, 2002, which triggered celebrations from coast to coast to coast," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Employees of the Mint are extremely proud to have produced a coin commemorating this extraordinary moment in Canadian Winter Olympic Games history."

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Precious metals were mixed on Tuesday following explosive gains from the day prior. Gold edged up slightly despite a stronger US dollar. Crude oil continued to stay atop a one-month low. US stocks registered modest gains to remain at ‘09 highs.

New York precious metal figures follow:

• Silver for December delivery fell 1.3 cents, or 0.1 percent, to $18.387 an ounce. It ranged from $18.085 to $18.435.

• Gold for December delivery rose 20 cents to $1,139.40 an ounce. The yellow metal ranged from $1,127.80 to $1,142.00.

• January platinum gained $17.90, or 1.2 percent, to $1,462.50 an ounce. It ranged from $1,433.50 to $1,464.60.

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Read the rest of Gold Rises Slightly, Stocks Remain at ‘09 Highs (3,188 words)

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The fourth and final redesigned 2009 Lincoln cent launched in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Nov. 12. By the following Sunday and according to the latest US Mint sales report, 153,427 of the two-roll sets were scooped up by collectors. Crunching the numbers and moving the decimal point, that is 15.3 million pennies.

During the same initial days following the launch of the previous two pennies, 15.2 million of the third Professional Life cents sold, and 20 million of the second Rail Splitter pennies sold.

In contrast, it took almost two weeks for collectors to purchase 9.6 million of the first 2009 Lincoln Birthplace cents — although these set the demand tone for the next three cents when the Mint unexpectedly stopped selling them. The following table provides the latest sales data for the Lincoln penny rolls.

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Read the rest of 15.3 Million 2009 Lincoln Presidency Cents Sold (134 words)

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Collectors are eagerly awaiting the first sale of rare and exceptional Coins and Banknotes to be presented by Bonhams New York. Taking place on December 3rd, the sale consists of over 400 lots ranging from 1692 to the early 21st Century. 

Amongst the most coveted lots will be an exceptionally rare 1796 $10 AU50 NGC (pictured, above). Bright green-gold with warm honey and orange highlights, the coin’s intense mint bloom glows broadly in the fields and within the protected design areas. The obverse is of the Turban Head type with stars to both sides. The reverse motif, also used on the contemporary half eagle, depicts the national bird solidly perched on a branch of palm, holding aloft a victory wreath without any olives or berries.

The die work is excellent being BD-1, Breen-6832, Bass-3174, Taraszka-6, R.4, the only known die pairing for the year. From the earliest years of the regularly issued coinage of the United States which started in 1796, this highly important and elusive issue is estimated at $65,000-75,000.

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Several numismatic news or coin blog articles are referenced on CoinNews two separate times a week. These articles are not authored by us, but we recommend coin collectors read them for their unusual or interesting content. Here are today’s coin articles:

Krause Publications Announces Coin of the Year [COTY] Nominees
NumisMaster

American publishing company Krause Publications has announced the 2010 nominees for its prestigious Coin of the Year awards, to be presented at a ceremony in Berlin, Germany in January, 2010. The coins nominated were released in the year 2008, and represent the highest achievement in theme, design and marketing from mints and central banks from around the world. A panel of judges including authors, editors, numismatists and members of American numismatic associations met to choose the following nominees from hundreds received from around the world …

Go to story »

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Read the rest of Coin News: COTY Nominees, Yellowstone Park Quarter, Presidency Penny Video (471 words)

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Leading the pack in commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Burke and Wills expedition, the Royal Australian Mint unveiled new coin designs alongside an exclusive Burke and Wills display at the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne.

Modern day explorer Jesse Martin together with Assistant Treasurer Senator Nick Sherry revealed the new coin designs today in Melbourne.

Jesse Martin, the current record holder for the youngest person to sail solo around the world non-stop and unassisted, was able to, after looking through the Burke and Wills collection, empathise with taking on such a major expedition, the hardships that came with it and the sense of achievement at the end.

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Commodities were on fire Monday as another drop in the US dollar weighed into the mix. New York gold futures surged 2.0 percent to a fresh all-time high while silver soared 5.9 percent. Crude oil rebounded from a one-month low. US stocks joined in with their own rally, as the major indexes reached new ‘09 highs.

New York precious metal figures follow:

• Silver for December delivery soared $1.02 to $18.40 an ounce. It ranged from $17.475 to $18.450.

• Gold for December delivery jumped $22.50 to $1,139.20 an ounce. It ranged from $1,119.5 to $1143.00 — a new all-time high.

• January platinum surged $22.90, or 4.0 percent, to $1,444.60 an ounce. It ranged from $1,393.8 to $1,458.20.

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Read the rest of Gold Touches $1,143/oz, Silver Soars, Stocks Jump (2,386 words)

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Carry On

Good Day,

With but a week to go before its December options expire, gold bullion tracked a further accelerating, and nearly vertical ballistic trace overnight, as a slew of buy stops hit the market just moments after opening for electronic trade. Some 2,000 contracts went through the order pipeline in the initial minutes of trading - not something one sees on a routine basis. The yellow metal eventually set a fresh record spot peak at 1134.20 during the night, as the dollar fell precipitously towards the 75 mark on the trade-weighted index, and then eventually broke under it.

Carl Johansson, analyst over at Belgium’s GoldEssential.com  wrote that he believed that "the orders [seen] on [market] opening were too large to be mere coincidence. A similar comment was made by a bullion trader at Commerzbank who saw that "someone had an interest in making a new high" and that " there are no bullish news that can give a reason for the move, so maybe someone is playing games and trying to protect their position." Talk of $1150 gold subsequently became the order of the new trading day in Asian and European overnight markets.

Johansson added that "option plays could also steer  the market over the next few days, with the expiration of the December gold options now only 7 days away (Nov 23), but warned that prices could succumb to heavy profit taking once the weight of pending options and the attached expectations were lifted from the market’s shoulders." Profit-taking. Now there is a phenomenon that has been hardly visible at all since the first session in September.

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Read the rest of Gold, Silver, Metal Prices: Commentary - 11/16/2009 (1,565 words)

© Jon Nadler, Kitco Metals Inc. for Coin News, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Want more on these topics? Browse the archive of posts filed under Bullion Articles and Precious Metal Reports, Business News, Commentary.

Each of US Mint’s four 2009 Lincoln Cent ceremonial launch events were unique, but all have been similar in offering opportunities for the attendees to make money.

Following the Presidency cent launch in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Nov. 12, rolls of the new pennies began to appear on the secondary market from those who were there to experience the launch.

A decent profit has been seen by resellers who waited in line to exchange cash for the new Presidency rolls, and then waited in another line to have them stamped and canceled by the US Postal Service as proof they were issued on the day of the ceremony.

In analyzing 56 completed eBay auctions between Nov. 13 and Nov. 15, the average sold price per 50c roll was just four cents shy of $15.

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Read the rest of Lincoln Cent Presidency 50c Rolls Selling for $15 (200 words)

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By placing 107 rare coins into circulation, Jeff Angello, owner of American Coin & Stamp Co., hopes that this will delight coin collectors as well as stir up interest in the hobby.

For some lucky shoppers, that pocket change could contain super rare coins worth thousands of dollars.

To Jeff Angello, of American Coin & Stamp Company, Inc., rare coins and precious metals are a hobby, a passion and a thriving business. As a token of his gratitude for the many years of collecting, buying and selling rare coins, he is placing 107 coins back into circulation. With a face value of only a few dollars, the rare coins add up to an approximate value of $4000.00.

One of these coins is a penny from 1955, which is the year that his father Joseph Angello founded the business. This particular penny is very valuable due to fact that it was minted with a mistake. The penny, which was minted in Philadelphia, had been stamped twice, causing a doubling of the numbers and letters on the face of the coin.

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Read the rest of Rare Coins Placed into Circulation by NJ Dealer (266 words)

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One of Australia’s biggest television personalities and well-known wildlife experts has been named as an inspirational Australian and now appears on a new $1 coin.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Australian Mint Graham Smith was joined by Terri Irwin and a few of her friends including "Sanchez" the Alligator to officially launch the new coin design at Australia Zoo.

"Steve would have been so proud to see his work elevated to yet another level. His efforts in conservation recognised on a national coin! We are all very proud of him," said Mrs Irwin.

The Royal Australian Mint’s Inspirational Australians collector coin series recognises and celebrates individual achievements and commemorates unique Australians who have made an extraordinary contribution to our society.

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Read the rest of Steve Irwin $1 Coin Officially Launches (321 words)

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The November 11, 2009 episode of Coin Chat Radio starts off with Bob Van Ryzin’s ‘What’s In the News’ discussing the US Commemorative Coin Act which includes a provision to strike up to 350,000 Girl Scout Silver Dollar Coins in 2013.

Also included in the new law (111-86) is an option for the Secretary of the Treasury to continue issuing numismatic items containing the 2009 Cents until June 30, 2010. Without the amendment, all sales would have had to end on December 31, 2009.

Publisher Scott Tappa is interviewed by Online Editor Lisa Bellavin about the new Warman’s coin folders available for purchase at ShopNumisMaster.com. Currently there are 14 different types that range in price from $4.99 to $7.99, covering the most popular coins that are still in circulation today.

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Read the rest of Coin Chat Radio: Warman’s Coin Folders, Gold Market Conditions (365 words)

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Precious metals were up and down through much of the week as the US dollar mostly set gold’s direction. While metal futures finished with higher weekly gains in New York, silver was the standout in London logging a 1.2% loss. Oil slipped to a one-month low Friday following weaker than expected US consumer confidence numbers. In stocks, European indexes ended mixed on Friday but higher on the week while US indexes were positive both ways, enjoying a second consecutive up week.

In London bullion weekly figures, gold rose 0.7 percent, silver fell 1.2 percent and platinum advanced 0.9 percent. Friday precious metals prices follow:

London silver closed to $17.32 an ounce, falling 20 cents from last Friday’s close. New York December silver futures ended at $17.38 for a weekly advance of a half penny.

London gold was fixed at $1,104.00 an ounce, rising $7.25 this week. New York gold for December delivery finished at $1,116.70 for five-day gain of $21.00.

London platinum ended at $1,359.00 an ounce, climbing $12.00 since last Friday’s close. New York platinum for January delivery ended at $1,388.70, surging $40.50 on the week.

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Read the rest of Bullion & Business Weekend Report - Nov. 14 (1,376 words)

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Bullion 2009 American Silver Eagle coin sales have been on fire this year. Eight of ten months were "best ever" records. 2009 has already been crowned the top-selling year of all-time, and that was back in early October.

For a series which began in 1986, nothing underscores the demand for the silver eagles better. Their values in the upper grades are nothing to laugh about either.

In our latest installment of analyzing recently sold coins on eBay, we took a 40-day snapshot (Sept. 28 to Nov. 6) of more than 5,500 completed auctions of 2009-dated American Silver Eagles.

What we found, and as coin collectors would naturally expect, is that there are significant rewards in selling graded MS70s. But how values have changed over the 40 day period is illuminating. Especially in regards to the harder to get PCGS "First Strike" designated eagles.

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Read the rest of 2009 American Silver Eagle Values (526 words)

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Friday the 13th did not prove unlucky, at least as far as the “Old World” is concerned. The NY Times reported this morning that: “The 16-country euro zone has officially joined the United States and Japan out of recession, after figures showed its economy grew by 0.4 percent in the third quarter from the previous three-month period. However, the rise reported by the EU’s statistics office Eurostat was not as large as the 0.6 percent most economists had been predicting, as growth in major economies fell short of forecasts.”

The euro was lifted by the news and gained ground against the US dollar (rising to 1.492 from 1.486 earlier this morning) ahead of statistical news releases concerning the US economy. Whatever risk aversion was present in the markets early this morning, dissipated later on. A one-two punch coming from the widest trade gap in a decade and from once again swooning consumer sentiment set markets off in a different than expected direction by mid-morning. To wit, the Dow gained (?!)nearly 100 points after the poor data and metals rose. Carry on, so to speak…

Gold’s initial small gains turned into larger ones by noontime in NY. The carry trade resumed and quickly lifted oil (which had been down on ample inventories and fading demand) back towards $77 per barrel, copper and zinc, and of course precious metals. At last check gold was ahead by $13 per ounce, quoted at $1115.30 against a 0.50 drop on the dollar index (shown at 75.19).

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Read the rest of Gold, Silver, Metal Prices: Commentary - 11/13/2009 (1,613 words)

© Jon Nadler, Kitco Metals Inc. for Coin News, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Want more on these topics? Browse the archive of posts filed under Bullion Articles and Precious Metal Reports, Business News, Commentary.

Classics of American coinage ready for Heritage’s final Signature® Numismatic Auction of the year in Houston on Dec. 3

DALLAS, TX — A rare and highly desirable branch mint proof 1884-CC Morgan dollar, graded PR66 Cameo by NGC, leads the list of highlights for Heritage Auctions’ December 2009 Signature® U.S. Coin Auction, to be held in Houston, TX. It is estimated at $140,000+.

Though the Carson City Mint had neither the personnel nor the resources to strike proof coins on a par with those produced at the main Philadelphia Mint, it did turn out a small number of special pieces, or branch mint proofs.

"In the second half of the 19th century Philadelphia struck virtually all proof coins," said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions. "Only a handful of proofs were struck at branch mints such as Carson City — some with official authorization and some without. While this branch mint proof dollar does not appear in any official records, it is clearly unlike any Morgan dollar struck for circulation."

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Read the rest of Rare 1884-CC Morgan Dollar Headlines Heritage Auctions U.S. Coins Event (504 words)

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WASHINGTON - The United States Mint will accept orders for rolls of Zachary Taylor Presidential $1 Coins at its online catalog, http://www.usmint.gov/catalog, beginning at noon Eastern Time (ET) on November 19, 2009.  Each roll, priced at $35.95, contains 25 circulating quality $1 coins from either the United States Mint facility at Philadelphia or Denver.  The coins are wrapped in packaging that displays the mint of origin (P or D), the face value of the contents ($25) and the United States Mint logo. 

For the first time in Big Ben’s 150 year history, a new £5 Crown, from the Royal Mint is being used to help London’s iconic clock keep time.  The 2009 Big Ben £5 Crown was today placed inside the movement of the Great Clock and will play an essential role in maintaining its famous accuracy.

The coin change-over forms part of Big Ben’s 150th Anniversary celebrations, with the new £5 Crown, one of the official London 2012 licensed coins, replacing some of the pre-decimal pennies which have acted as weights inside the clock since 1859. This is the first time any of the coins inside the clock have been changed.

As part of the Royal Mint’s collection celebrating London 2012, a further 100,000 of the commemorative coin have been specially minted by the Royal Mint to help the public celebrate Big Ben’s momentous anniversary and are available now to purchase from www.royalmint.com.

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New York gold futures on Thursday broke away from an eight day winning streak, falling for the first time in November. The yellow metal retreated from a new all-time high that was reached earlier in the morning after the US dollar rebounded from a 15-month low. Platinum and silver also declined, as did crude oil. US stocks closed sharply lower.

New York precious metal figures follow:

• Silver for December delivery fell 27.2 cents, or 1.6 percent, to $17.265 an ounce. It ranged from $17.350 to $17.780.

• Gold for December delivery slid $8.00, or 0.7 percent to $1,106.60 an ounce. It ranged from $1,103.70 to $1,123.40 — once again, an all-time high.

• January platinum declined $6.40, or 0.5 percent, to $1,363.20 an ounce.

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The US Mint today pulled away the drapes and revealed the new 2010 Lincoln Cent reverse design. The 2010 penny is a continuation of sorts of the themed 2009 designs, which reflect four distinct phases of Lincoln’s life: his birth in Kentucky, his formative years in Indiana, his professional life in Illinois, and his presidency in Washington, D.C. 

The 2010 cent theme is "emblematic of President Lincoln’s preservation of the United States of America as a single and united country," and was outlined in authorizing Public Law 109-145.

While this year’s cents were issued to celebrate the bicentennial birth of Abraham Lincoln and are minted for 2009 only, next year’s penny design has no specific end date. It could be seen by generations yet to come. Congress would have to marshal through new legislation for ANY change to occur.

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At the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial located below the west front of the U.S. Capitol Building, the US Mint today launched the last 2009 Lincoln Cent. Known as the ‘Presidency Life in Washington, DC‘ penny, the release brings to a close a year of four redesigned coins which have excited the public and awakened new interests with collectors.

"The fourth and final 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Coin design evokes the historical challenges of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.  "The image of an incomplete U.S. Capitol symbolizes the unfinished business of a Nation torn apart by slavery and the Civil War."

Donald R. Kennon, Chief Historian of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, and Eileen R. Mackevich, Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, joined in the ceremonial launch. 

Similar to the prior cent launches in Springfield, Illinois, Lincoln City, Indiana and Hodgenville, Kentucky, shiny pennies bearing the new design were handed out free to eagerly awaiting children.

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Read the rest of 2009 Lincoln Presidency Cent Launch in Washington, DC (498 words)

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WASHINGTON - The United States Mint launched the fourth 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Coin today in a ceremony held at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial located below the west front of the U.S. Capitol Building.  The coin, bearing a reverse (tails side) design emblematic of Abraham Lincoln's presidency in Washington, D.C., is the final coin in the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Program. 

WASHINGTON - On November 12, 2009, the United States Mint will release to the Federal Reserve Bank millions of one-cent coins bearing the fourth-and final-new reverse (tails side) design in the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Program.  The design is emblematic of Lincoln's presidency in Washington, D.C.  For a limited time only, the agency will offer the 2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set - "Presidency" at its online catalog, http://www.usmint.gov/catalog, beginning at noon Eastern Time (ET) on November 12.  Orders are limited to five units per household.

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint announced today that the limited-edition U.S. Virgin Islands Official First Day Coin Cover will be available online at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog beginning at noon Eastern Time (ET) on November 10, 2009.  The agency will offer for sale only 20,000 units.