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2013 American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins Log Record Sales Debut
January 8, 2013 by Rhonda Kay · Leave a Comment
Sales of 2013 American Silver Eagle bullion coins are soaring, scoring a record one-day start.
Nearly 4 million 2013 American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins sold on release day
The United States Mint began selling them to its network of Authorized Purchasers on Monday, Jan. 7, and first day sales totaled 3,937,000 coins. That easily tops last year’s first sales day total of 3,197,000 coins.
This is the 27th year in the American Eagle program, and already January 2013 is racing with just four other months logging stronger sales. If the high demand for the U.S. Mint’s top-selling silver coin continues over the next three weeks to the levels accumulated in January 2011, which was 6,422,000, and in January 2012, which was 6,107,000, then this year’s inaugural month will become the best-ever sales month in the .999 fine silver coin series.
Top American Silver Eagle Sales Months
| All-Time Monthly Sales Ranking | Month | Sales for Month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 2011 | 6,422,000 |
| 2 | Jan 2012 | 6,107,000 |
| 3 | Sep 2011 | 4,460,500 |
| 4 | Nov 2010 | 4,260,000 |
| 5 | Jan 2013* | 3,937,000 |
*As of Jan. 7, 2013.
Part of the early buying frenzy is a result of the 2012-dated issues selling out three weeks ago, on Dec. 17. In recent years, it was not uncommon for a portion the U.S. Mint’s January inventory to include strikes left over from the previous year, which led to the surprise when the Authorized Purchasers were cut-off mid-month. December’s total ended at 1,635,000 after 3,159,500 sold in November. As explained in an earlier article, the year-end total rung in at 33,742,500.
American Silver Eagle bullion coins are investment-grade issues and not collector versions. These bullion coins are sold in bulk for a small premium over the spot price of silver to the U.S. Mint’s network of qualified Authorized Purchasers, who then resell them to coin dealers and/or to the public.
Collectors will have to wait until January 24 to order the 2013 Silver Eagle Proof Coins and sometime in May to order the 2013 Silver Eagle Uncirculated Coins. The U.S. Mint sells numismatic silver coins directly to the public, but these have larger premiums. Numismatic versions receive special finishes, feature mint marks on their reverse, and feature special packaging for collectors with Certificates of Authenticity. Bullion silver coins lack these additional features.
