May 2011 American Gold Eagle Bullion Coin Sales High, but Slower

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2011 American Gold Eagle Bullion Coin

While still impressively high, demand for American Gold Eagle bullion coins weakened in May 2011, according to finalized monthly sales figures from the United States Mint.

Sales were modestly slower than the previous month, and down significantly from the levels of a year ago — although May 2010 happened to be a gigantic month as gold bullion sales had reached their highest point since June 1999.

United States Mint buyers ordered 107,000 ounces of bullion Gold Eagles last month, making it the third best May ever for the series which debuted in 1986. Available from the Mint in four sizes, the 22-karat bullion coins were split with sales of 93,500 for the one ounce ($50 denomination), 22,000 for the half ounce ($25 denomination), 4,000 for the quarter ounce ($10 denomination) and 15,000 for the tenth ounce ($5 denomination). The 22,000 ounces for the half ounce actually represents the best monthly figure for that size since June 2010.

The following table shows how each Gold Eagle bullion coin has performed over the past year. The topmost number in each cell is in ounces while the second number represents the total amount of coins sold.

May 2010 – May 2011 Gold Eagle Bullion Coin Sales

(in ounces / number of coins)
Month One
( oz. / # )
Half
( oz. / # )
Quarter
( oz. / # )
Tenth
( oz. / # )
Total
( oz. / # )
May 2010 190,000
190,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
190,000
190,000
June 2010 97,000
97,000
15,500
31,000
11,000
44,000
28,000
280,000
151,500
452,000
July 2010 147,500
147,500
1,000
2,000
500
2,000
3,000
30,000
152,000
181,500
August 2010 39,000
39,000
500
1,000
500
2,000
1,500
15,000
41,500
57,000
September 2010 82,500
82,500
1,000
2,000
1,500
6,000
3,000
30,000
88,000
120,500
October 2010 89,500
89,500
1,500
3,000
500
2,000
2,500
25,000
94,000
119,500
November 2010 107,500
107,500
3,000
6,000
1,000
4,000
500
5,000
112,000
122,500
December 2010 58,500
58,500
500
1,000
500
2,000
500
5,000
60,000
66,500
January 2011 130,500
130,500
500
1,000
500
2,000
2,000
20,000
133,500
153,500
February 2011 72,500
72,500
6,000
12,000
4,000
16,000
10,000
100,000
92,500
200,500
March 2011 60,500
60,500
4,000
8,000
5,000
20,000
4,000
40,000
73,500
128,500
April 2011 94,500
94,500
6,000
12,000
3,500
14,000
4,000
40,000
108,000
160,500
May 2011 93,500
93,500
11,000
22,000
1,000
4,000
1,500
15,000
107,000
134,500

 

Aside from a few notable spikes — last month being one of them, May tends to be a slower month in general for the American Gold Eagle bullion coin.

Top 5 May American Gold Eagle Sales

Year March Rank Sales Total
2010 1 190,000
1999 2 172,000
2011 3 107,000
1998 4 91,500
1987 5 78,000

 

Demand typically retreats further as the summer progresses. However, the last few years have not exactly been normal for precious metals prices. That has driven bullion coin sales to higher levels, making monthly forecasts virtually impossible.

Gold Eagle bullion coins are different than the collector counterparts. Each is struck from .9167 fine gold and feature the same designs. A major distinction is that collector proof and uncirculated versions bear a West Point "W" mintmark on their obverse. The bullion American Gold Eagle does not have a mintmark.

This site’s bullion coins section offers information on US and World bullion offerings from government mints.

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