The latest batch of US Mint sales figures are out and jumping to the forefront are gold coins — both bullion and collector. The bullion Silver Eagles are moving along as well. The US Mint Set and Proof Set continue with strength, with the former smashing through the 500,000 barrier. These and other highlights follow:

• The US Mint news of the week circled around the inaugural Buffalo Gold Proof sales. 19,468 were sold in four days. That was 123 shy of the 2008 Buffalo Proofs. The 2009 bullion versions are on fire as well. They were released on Oct. 15 and are now at 121,000 — 51,000 short from matching the 2008s.

• American Silver Eagle bullion coins officially recorded their best October ever, reaching 2,939,000 in the month. The US Mint has yet to report any November numbers, but the final two months of a year are generally very strong for eagles. American Eagle Gold coins finished last month with sales of 115,500, making October the 5th best ever for the series.

• UHR $20 Double Eagles recovered from the dip that took weekly sales to their second lowest level ever. 1,045 more were scooped up by collectors, bringing the new total to 102,311.

• Three of four Braille Silver Dollar products performed better than the last round. The Braille Education Set, which went on sale Oct. 15, declined slightly with 793 versus the prior 1,004. In related news, the US Mint announced this week that it would stop selling Braille dollars after 5:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 11. For the record, a total of 202,655 of the authorized 400,000 silver dollars have been sold.

Read the rest of this entry »

US Mint collector coins moved like molasses when compared to sales figures of two weeks ago. But bullion coins — especially gold — still had a little swagger in their step. October will be a robust month for American Eagles and American Buffalos.

These and other highlights follow:

• UHR Double Eagles took a significant hit, rising sadly by only 562. Since they went on sale Jan. 22, there has been one single instance when weekly sales were lower. The reason? Gold has been on a five day losing streak, which started last Thursday. It makes sense for collectors to be cautious in buying with expectations of a $50 price decline. We missed that reduction by just 28.8 cents.

• In the Lincoln category, the Chronicles sets were taken off standby status last week with the max 50,000 officially allocated. Lincoln Cent Proof Sets climbed by 4,900, which was less than half of the prior 10,921 increase.

• 2009 US Mint and US Mint Proof Sets were the biggest unit gainers, rising 21,826 and 22,613 respectively. The proof sets were actually up a tad bit. Not so for the mint sets which previously climbed by 74,474. The 500,000 milestone is still nearly 11K away.

• Read the rest of this entry »

US Mint sales once again look attractive following a week when collector interest in most coins dipped. Demand is strong for both silver and gold bullion coins, as has been the case for much of the year. The newly released Gold Buffalo coins were most impressive.

In other notables, Ultra High Relief $20s finally topped the 100K barrier, and the Lincoln Chronicles set shot off Mint shelves to the tune of 50,000 in 30 hours. Collector silver coins and sets also held their own, enjoying better than normal weekly gains. These and other highlights follow:

• UHR Double Eagle Gold Coins hit 100,704 since their release on Jan. 22. Weekly sales picked up by 1,913 compared to prior 1,172.

• As expected, although not on the first day like many anticipated, the Lincoln Coin and Chronicles set sold out. The maximum 50,000 were scooped up within 30 hours. Standby orders are now in affect. Also in the Lincoln family line, the Lincoln Proof Set climbed by 10,921.

• Passing through their haze, Presidential Dollar Proof Set and 2009 Silver Proof Set increased by 2,872 and 12,306, respectively. Both sets were knocked down with negative adjustments in last week’s report.

Read the rest of this entry »

A month ago our US Mint sales report headline said "Presidential Dollar Sets Pass 600K." Today that picture reverses as the proof dollars withdraw to fall back below the milestone. Several other products fell as well in a week where demand for collector coins trended mostly lower.

There were several exceptions, especially for coins of yellow complexion. Bullion American Gold Eagles passed 1 million, Ultra High Relief’s picked up slightly and seven out of ten First Spouse Gold Coins improved over the prior week. These and other highlights follow:

• Whether it was a US Mint accounting correction or massive cancellation(s)/return(s), Presidential Dollar Proof Sets plummeted by 33,038 to fall to 576,211.

• Other proof sets also disappointed. 2009 Proof Set sales increased by 6,406 compared to the previous 27,856. 2009 Silver Proof Sets actually declined by 1,001.

• Braille products moved weakly. The newly released Braille Education set came in at 2,719 during the first four days of availability. The standalone uncirculated silver dollar picked up by just 343, and those within the easy-open capsule fell by 109.

Read the rest of this entry »

The first round of sales figures for US Virgin Islands Quarters are now available, as are the numbers for the newly launched US Mint Uncirculated Coin Set. The quarters are doing fine, the sets are off to the races.

Last week’s report showed that the Presidential $1 Coin Uncirculated Set had unexplained fiery sales. This week’s numbers are colder. Several of the US Mint’s proof sets, however, warmed up. These and other highlights follow:

• The first round of numbers are in for bags and rolls of US Virgin Islands Quarters. Sales are strong. Compared to the prior inaugural American Samoa quarter figures, the 100-coin bags and two-roll sets are moving faster. Both the P & D 1000-coin bags, however, are trailing.

• 2009 US Mint Sets have experienced exceptional collector demand during their first days on sale. Collectors purchased 297,842 between Thursday and Sunday. For more on this story, read 2009 US Mint Set Sales on Fire.

• Presidential $1 Coin Uncirculated Sets are back to normal. Last week’s report showed an irregular super leap of 11,217. The latest increase is 1,181, which is inline with typical weekly demand.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bullion American Eagle Gold and Silver Coins ended September in shining fashion, but recent demand has mostly weakened for collector proof and uncirculated coins. That is, except for uncirculated 2009 Presidential Dollar Sets. Their sales inexplicably blasted off like a rocket.

These and more highlights follow:

• Bullion American Gold Eagles marked the end of the month by registering the 3rd best September since 1986 with 115,500. The month was also the 4th best of this year — just missing the 3rd slot by a mere 501. At year’s end, 2009 annual eagles sales should rank 4th or 5th best of all time. One million is within very close reach. 954,000 is the current count.

• 2009 bullion American Silver Eagles have already assured their place in history. It is the second best September ever for the coins, but more impressively, annual sales are locking in to a record all time high. 20,467,500 silver eagles have already been sold this year. 2008-dated eagles earned the top spot last year with 20,583,000. Say goodbye to that, and soon.

• For no apparent rhyme or reason, Presidential $1 Coin Uncirculated Sets exploded. The tally soared 11,217 to 85,478. At $15.95 a pop, the Mint pulled in a cool $179,000. Last week’s report showed a sleeping increase of just 1,278. As mentioned before, the US Mint Fall catalog arrived on collector’s doorsteps to help boost sales, but other coins/sets didn’t have similar astronomical, above and beyond increases. This one is a bit of a mystery.

Read the rest of this entry »

Demand for gold coins and 2009 Proof Sets is turning out to be exceptionally high this September, US Mint sales data reveals.

The latest weekly sales figures also show collector coins were mixed compared to the week prior, with very narrow up or down changes. Several highlights follow:

• For the third straight time, clad 2009 Proof Sets have outpaced their prior week sales. Collectors purchased another 42,077, which surpasses the previous weekly gains of 40.5K, 27.9K and then 18.4K. The reason for the surge? Perhaps the Fall US Mint coin catalog is reminding collectors to buy the popular annual offering. More than 1.1 million have sold.

• Bullion American Gold Eagle coins are flying high compared to the last two months. More than 30,000 were scooped up per week this month. The new total is 92,500. That is already higher than figures from August or July.

• Bullion Silver Eagles had their best week this month, surging 500,000. The month may turn out to be the slowest for the silver coins this year, but the 1.1 million already sold ranks it as the second best September ever (since ‘86).

Read the rest of this entry »

The latest round of US Mint coin sales is near a reversal of last week when activity had picked up almost across the board and several milestones had been breached.

This week there are just a few bright spots to talk about… many of the numbers are simply less than exciting. The highlights follow:

• The 18-coin clad 2009 Proof Set was one of the standouts, with weekly sales higher for a third straight time. Numbers soared another 40,511. That compares to the prior 27,913 increase which followed an 18,448 gain.

• 2009 Presidential Dollar Proof Sets also shined, albeit less bright. Numbers increased 3,196 versus the previous 2,805. They also topped 600,000.

• 2009 Lincoln One Cent Proof Sets stood out only because new sales dropped significantly — the Mint sold 11,084 compared to the last reported 35,408.

• Read the rest of this entry »

US Mint coin sales increased across the board, except for a few gold coin and roll stragglers that fell behind their previous pace. Proof sets and silver coins shined the brightest. And a couple of notable barriers were smashed to rubble.

Several sales highlights follow:

• 2009 Lincoln Cent Proof Sets hurdled over the 100 thousand mark with less than two weeks on the sales block. Between their launch on Wednesday, Aug. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 6, a total of 101,758 were scooped up by collectors. 35,408 more were sold since the last report.

• UHR $20 Double Eagles couldn’t surpass their prior weekly performance which was the highest in months with 4,110 new sales. But they did leap over 90,000 and added another 2,979. Coin dealers may have liked the new 25-coin order limit, but the recent UHR $50 price increase looks to have been a detraction. The gold piece was one of the few coins to show slippage this week.

• As we predicted last week in a pure common sense call, the 18-coin clad 2009 Proof Sets passed 1 million. Numbers jumped an eye-brow raising 27,913 versus the prior 18,448.

Read the rest of this entry »

US Mint sales data this week provides a first glimpse into Lincoln Proof Set numbers. They also show higher demand for UHR coins even before the 25-coin limit increase. And they indicate the briefest of stopping points before 2009 Clad Proof Sets hurdle over the 1 million mark.

Several sales highlights follow:

• UHR $20 Double Eagles enjoyed their best week in months. Sales jumped 4,110 — and that, before the 25-coin limit increase was triggered to a start.

• 2009 Lincoln One Cent Proof Sets debuted on Wednesday, Aug. 26 for $7.95 each. The first four days of sales were strong, but not mind-blowing. Perhaps too many collectors have already gobbled up the clad and silver sets, which also include the special 95 percent copper pennies. Time will tell their direction. Four day sales came in at 66,350.

• Speaking of proof coins, the clad 2009 Proof Set WILL pass 1 million in next week’s sales report. They are already at 994,095 with their most recent gain of 18,448 added. On the silver side of the equation, at the the current pace it appears it will be another month before 2009 Silver Proof Sets reach 500,000. They are currently at 459,429.

• Lincoln Professional Life two-roll sets are beginning to move slower. 14,319 were sold versus the prior 24,899. On the same topic, Formative Years rolls were stopped at 300,000 once again. Outside of cancelled orders creating openings, new orders will be held in check.

• American Eagle Gold and Silver Bullion coins had an exceptional week. Instead of repeating the numbers again, please read the recent CoinNews article Silver Eagles Sales Score Best August Ever, Gold Eagles Fourth.

Major US Mint coin sales follow: Read the rest of this entry »