Monthly Archives: December 2009
All-New PCGS Web Site is Launched
Gold Hits Yet Another Record, Silver Retreats
US Mint Sells 345,000 Fractional 2009 Gold Eagles on Release Day
Fractional 2009 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins were released today and initial reports by the US Mint show they are on fire, with sales already approaching totals from all of 2008.
Spurring demand are bullish gold prices. The yellow metal was driven to another record of $1,227.50 an ounce in New York on Thursday, marking a third straight day of all-time highs. Gold has now closed at a fresh high for the 20th trading day since Nov., and is up 38 percent this year.
Last week's US Mint suspension of the one-ounce size due to "strong demand" and a "depleted" inventory also helped the fractionals.
As announced in early Oct., the US Mint released the Eagle Gold Bullion Coins in one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce weights. Together, the Mint sold 345,000 coins to its authorized purchasers for a total of 58,000 ounces of gold. That, without a single one-ounce size leaving Mint doors.
US Mint Issues 2009 First Spouse Bronze Five Medal Set
Gold, Silver, Metal Prices: Commentary – 12/03/2009
US Mint Sales: Uncirculated Mint Sets Top 600,000; Gold Moves
The newest US Mint sales report is reminiscent of last week's, with few notables outside of bullion coins. Collectors were more stingy in their spending, or perhaps they simply stepped away from the buying table during the Thanksgiving holiday week.
In a change from the prior report that showed most US Mint coin sets had better than normal gains, only three stood out in this round -- the 2009 DC & US Territories Quarters Set, the 2008 Annual Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set and the 2009 US Mint Uncirculated Set.
The 2009 Mint Set screamed the loudest, marking a two-week winning streak. Sales dramatically popped above 600,000 thanks to a huge weekly jump of 28,613 -- more than 9,000 above the previous increase.
Gold Rises for Another Record, Silver Advances
US Mint 2009 Gold Buffalo Bullion Coins Top 2007, 2008 Sales
Despite their late Oct. 15 release date, 2009 American Gold Buffalo Bullion Coin sales have already topped those from 2008 and 2007.
The latest US Mint figures have the 2009-dated coins at 189,000. By comparison, the Mint has said 172,000 were sold in all of 2008 while 167,500 were purchased in 2007. The inaugural Buffalo 2006 launch year would appear to remain safe as the best ever -- at least for now -- with its 323,000 total.
The pace has cooled compared to opening sales when 71,500 went during the first five days. However, the amount sold in either October or November is greater than any single month in 2008 or 2007, which highlights the demand for the one ounce, 24 karat gold coins.
With new record gold prices and the recent Mint suspension of the bullion 2009 American Gold Eagle Coins, demand for the Buffalos should only increase. Gold prices hit a fresh high of $1,217.30 an ounce in early Wednesday trading, surpassing the previous record that was just set on Tuesday. The yellow metal is up 37 percent this year.