Yearly Archives: 2009
Numismatic News and Blog Headlines – Jan 6
Singapore Launches Lunar Ox Coins for New Year
The Singapore Mint on Saturday launched a series of commemorative Lunar Ox coins struck in cupro-nickel, silver, and gold. The coins celebrate the 2009 Chinese New Year or "Year of the Ox," which begins January 26.
The coins are available as singles, in sets and range from Brilliant Uncirculated to Proof. The gold ox coins comes in three different sizes and denominations. The are two silver commemorative, with the $10 edition colorized and packaged by itself or within the 2- or 3-coin set.
The following table summarizes the offerings, lists current prices and provides direct links to the Mint page for each coin:
US Mint Gold, Platinum and Silver Coin Sales Figures, Jan 6
Since the previous US Mint sales figures were reported, the one-quarter ounce 2008-W American Eagle Gold Proof coin has sold out, and that happened Monday.
Fewer and fewer 2008-dated bullion collector coins remain. Only the American Eagle gold and silver uncirculated coins and the 1/10 ounce gold proof eagle are still sold by the Mint.
The one-half ounce American Eagle Gold Proof, which sold out Dec. 24, stands out for the second consecutive reporting period. Sales surged by 5,079 coins, or 87.4 percent. That follows its previous 83.3 percent jump.
To place these numbers in perspective, over 70 percent of its total inventory were depleted within the last few weeks. While these coins may have not been the collector's first pick earlier in 2008, the lack of other options at least garnered their fifteen minutes of fame late in 2008. Will the final remaining 1/10 ounce proof option now see the collector's spot light?
Here are the latest US Mint sales figures for the major American Eagle and American Buffalo collector products:
Gold Down as Dollar Rises, Precious Metals Split
Last Remaining 2008 Eagle Gold Proof Coin is the Smallest
2009 Koala Gilded Silver Coin Issued by Perth Mint of Australia
Sales of Platinum Eagle 10th Anniversary Coin Sets End
2009 Quarters Proof Set Begins US Mint Year
The United States Mint will begin selling 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Proof Sets for $14.95 each on Monday, January 5, at noon (ET).
The set includes the six proof 2009 quarters with reverse designs honoring the District of Columbia (D.C.), the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Demand for this annual set is typically strong. According to the latest sales figures, the US Mint sold 672,004 of the 2008-dated version. Current eBay auctions have prices listed that are nearly double that of what the Mint charged.