The United States Mint began selling collector 2011 American Gold Eagle Proof Coins on April 21, 2011. One of them had been teetering toward a sell-out, and then suddenly, hit the marker Friday morning.
The Eagles come in four sizes, plus a four-coin set, and each has a different price and mintage limit. Interested buyers should note that the most popular of the gold American Eagle coins, the largest 1 oz. proof, has sold out.
Proof sizes are 1 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz. and 1/10 oz., and then the four-coin set includes all them neatly packaged together. Each features the same obverse and reverse designs, contain 91.67 percent, or 22-karat gold, and sports the “W” mintmark to denote their production in the United States Mint facility in West Point, NY.
The United States Mint announced it would sell 30,000 of the 1 oz. version individually and include 40,000 more in its four-coin proof set. By Tuesday, October 11, 2011, the Mint had taken 29,651 orders for the individual 1oz. American Gold Eagle by phone and web. That left 349 available. By Friday morning, all had been sold out.
| 2011 American Gold Eagle Proof Coin — Product Limits, Mintages, Sales* | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| PRODUCT LIMIT |
MINTAGE LIMIT |
CURRENT SALES | |
| 1 oz American Gold Eagle Proof Coin | 30,000 | 70,000 | 29,651 |
| 1/2 oz American Gold Eagle Proof Coin | 15,000 | 55,000 | 4,138 |
| 1/4 oz American Gold Eagle Proof Coin | 16,000 | 56,000 | 6,900 |
| 1/10 oz American Gold Eagle Proof Coin | 30,000 | 70,000 | 14,810 |
| 4-Coin Proof Set | 40,000 | N/A | 11,765 |
*The as of date for the sales listed above is Tuesday, October 11, 2011.
Last year when the maximum orders were taken for the same proof coin, the Mint implemented a waiting list, which allowed them to fulfill canceled orders using a first-in, first-served basis. It has not enabled a waiting list this time — at least as of this writing, and thus standby orders are doubtful.
With the individual issue gone, buyers wanting one will need to consider handing over more money to buy the four-coin set, or get one from the secondary market. United States Mint prices have been a big factor this year and fluctuated frequently. The 1 oz. proof coin had been $1,935 while the four-coin set is currently $3,585.50.
Those prices are re-evaluated each Wednesday, according to the Mint’s numismatic gold coin pricing policy, and the latest price increases occurred earlier this week. It resulted in the sixth straight week of adjustments, but it followed four weeks of decreases.
Collectors who are looking for a lower mintage and a slightly lower priced 1 oz. coin may consider the 2011 American Gold Eagle Uncirculated Coin, which has a finish that is similar to the bullion version. Its sales are sitting at 6,161 and its current price is $1,928.00.
The proof and uncirculated American Gold Eagle coins come packaged in a protective presentation case and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
All collector United States Mint products are available for order online at http://catalog.usmint.gov/ or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
