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2014 American Silver Eagle Coin Sales on Record Pace, Strong in November
November 30, 2014 by Darrin Lee Unser · Leave a Comment
November sales of the 2014 American Silver Eagle bullion coins ended at a strong level. Strong demand has followed a floundering silver market in which prices have hit multi-year lows.
Bullion 2014 Silver Eagles hurdled 41.5 million and are on a record annual pace.
Silver for March delivery ended the month at $15.56 an ounce for a November loss of 3.4% and a year-to-date decline of 19.7%. In other precious metals futures:
- Gold for February delivery closed at $1,175.50 an ounce, up 0.3% for the month but down 2.2% for the year
- Palladium for March delivery ended at $813.30 an ounce, up 2.7% for November and 13.2% for 2013
- Platinum for January delivery settled at $1,211.30 an ounce, down 1.9% for the month and 11.8% for the year
LBMA Silver Price
Precious metals in London fared similarly with the LBMA Silver Price ending at $15.97 an ounce for a November loss of 23 cents or 1.4%. For the year, London silver is down $3.53 or 18.1%. Other London precious metals fixings include:
- Gold at $1,182.75 an ounce gained $18.50 in November for an increase of 1.6%
- Palladium closed at $809 an ounce, up $25 an ounce for the month for an increase of 3.2%
- Platinum finished November at $1,205 per ounce, down $22 an ounce, or -1.8%
Year-to date finds gold off 1.8%, palladium up 13.0% and platinum down 11.2%.
United States Mint Sales of Bullion Silver Coins
Bullion Silver Eagle sales reached 3,426,000 in November. While it’s nowhere near record territory, it’s surprisingly high since sales of the coin were temporarily suspended by the United States Mint for 11 days. The tally places November at the 22 spot for monthly sales since the program debuted in 1986.
Of more interest, though, is the fact that 2013 vaulted into the number two spot for annual sales of the bullion coins with 41,547,000 logged as sold year-to-date. It passed the total sold in 2011 to attain the new position, and it’s a record pace.
Top 5 Annual Sales of American Silver Eagles
| Rank | Year | Sales |
| 1 | 2013 | 42,675,000 |
| 2 | 2014 | 41,547,000 |
| 3 | 2011 | 39,868,500 |
| 4 | 2010 | 34,662,500 |
| 5 | 2012 | 33,742,500 |
2014 sales are currently on track to overtake the number one position. Last year’s sales through November were a tad lower at 41,475,000. Just 1,128,000 coins separate this year’s sales from last year’s annual record of 42,675,000 coins.
Sales of America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins
In November, the U.S. Mint recorded a total of 29,600 America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins sold. Demand for the coins was aided by the temporary sales suspension of the Silver Eagles and by the November 3 release of the last five ounce coin of the year honoring Everglades National Park of Florida.
Sales of the five ounce bullion coins in November were as follows:
- 2014 Great Smoky Mountains National Park 5 Ounce Silver Coins remained sold out at 33,000
- 2014 Shenandoah National Park 5 Ounce Silver Coins climbed 900 to 23,300
- 2014 Arches National Park 5 Ounce Silver Coins remained sold out at 22,000
- 2014 Great Sand Dunes National Park 5 Ounce Silver Coins gained 1,700 to 17,900
- 2014 Everglades National Park 5 Ounce Silver Coins debuted and sold 27,000 in November
Like the Silver Eagles, America the Beautiful 5 Ounce Silver Bullion Coins are not sold directly to the public by the U.S. Mint. Instead, they are sold through the Mint’s network of authorized purchasers for a small premium above the current spot price of the silver they contain.
Melt Values of US Silver Coins
Hand in hand with silver market fluctuations, the melt value of silver coins also changes. As the market dips, the value of coins containing the precious metal falls. As the market increases, associated values move higher.
Common U.S. silver coins and their associated melt values are offered in the chart below. These coins have varying amounts of the precious metal but are sought after by both investors and collectors because of their content (SilverCoinsToday.com also offers a melt calculator for more personal comparisons.)
| US Silver Coins | Melt Values (10/31/2014) |
Melt Values (11/30/2014) |
Net Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1942-1945 Jefferson Silver Nickels | $0.91 | $0.90 | -$0.01 |
| 1892-1916 Barber Silver Dimes | $1.17 | $1.16 | -$0.01 |
| 1916-1945 Mercury Silver Dimes | $1.17 | $1.16 | -$0.01 |
| 1946-1964 Roosevelt Silver Dimes | $1.17 | $1.16 | -$0.01 |
| 1892-1916 Barber Silver Quarters | $2.93 | $2.89 | -$0.04 |
| 1916-1930 Standing Silver Liberty 25c | $2.93 | $2.89 | -$0.04 |
| 1932-1964 Washington Silver Quarters | $2.93 | $2.89 | -$0.04 |
| 1892-1915 Barber Silver Halves | $5.86 | $5.78 | -$0.08 |
| 1916-1947 Walking Liberty 50c | $5.86 | $5.78 | -$0.08 |
| 1948-1963 Franklin 50c | $5.86 | $5.78 | -$0.08 |
| 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars | $5.86 | $5.78 | -$0.08 |
| 1965-1970 Kennedy Half Dollars | $2.40 | $2.36 | -$0.04 |
| 1878-1921 Morgan Silver Dollars | $12.53 | $12.35 | -$0.18 |
| 1921-1935 Peace Silver Dollars | $12.53 | $12.35 | -$0.18 |
| 1971-1976 Silver Eisenhower $1s | $5.12 | $5.05 | -$0.07 |
| 1986-2013 American Eagles | $16.20 | $15.97 | -$0.23 |
| 2010-2014 ATB Silver Coins | $81.00 | $79.85 | -$1.15 |
The table above uses the London Fix for silver at the end of October and November to create the comparisons.
