Monthly Archives: May 2010

The latest United States Mint sales figures are contrasting. Numismatic coins moved slower as is often the case toward the middle of the year when extended daylight hours offer collecting distractions.

But coins struck for investors amped higher, and are shooting for records. Cases in point: Gold Eagles are selling as fast as they were during the Y2K scare; Silver Eagle sales just smashed 15 million in less than five months.

More specifically, during the last week alone:

• 22-karat bullion American Gold Eagles jumped 65,500 --more than April's total, reaching 176,000 for May. Monthly sales have not been higher since August 1999.
• .999 fine bullion American Silver Eagles soared more than 1 million, hitting 3.5 million for May. They are nearing the 3,696,000 all-time monthly record set in December 1986.
• 24-karat bullion American Gold Buffalos advanced 15,500, rising to 70,500 for May.

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The United States Mint this morning released production figures for the Hot Springs National Park Quarter -- the first issue in the new America the Beautiful Quarters™ Program.

The mintage total for the quarter is 59.6 million, with 29 million struck in Denver and 30.6 million from Philadelphia.

While the U.S. Mint clearly indicates that the numbers are preliminary and that the final ones will be issued in January 2011, the current levels represent the lowest of any quarter in decades -- from either Mint facility.

Coin production has plunged in parallel with the American economic downturn, but did begin to somewhat pick up in April. More coins were struck during the month than in any other in 2010. It was also the first time that any nickels had been minted since July 2009.

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