2013 US Silver Bullion Coins Pad Sales Record for January

Interest in U.S. Mint silver bullion coins soared in January. 2013 American Silver Eagles scored a monthly sales record despite a late start into the month, a more than one week ordering suspension and a return to rationing.

Sales gains for older 2011-dated America the Beautiful 5 Ounce Silver Bullion Coins also ramped up.

As for bullion American Silver Eagles in January, the United States Mint recorded sales of 7,498,000. That was more than enough to rank as the best month ever since the series debut in 1986. It smashed the old record established in January 2011 by 1,076,000 coins, or 16.8%.

Top 5 Monthly Sales for American Eagle Silver Coins

Rank	Month	Sales
1	January 2013	7,498,000
2	January 2011	6,422,000
3	January 2012	6,107,000
4	September 2011	4,460,500
5	November 2010	4,260,000

 

Extra significance is attached to January and these silver bullion coins because the U.S. Mint temporarily suspend sales as inventories ran out. After marking a record sales debut on their January 7, 2013 release day, Mint supplies of 2013 Silver Eagles fell low and a sales suspension was announced on January 17, 2013. The strikes returned to availability on the 28th, but then only on an allocated basis that rationed or limited the amount of silver coins that U.S. Mint dealers could order.

Sales of America the Beautiful 5 Ounce Silver Coins

While it is common for investors (and collectors) to drive sales of American Silver Eagles in January as they scoop up the newly dated coins, it was more of a value perspective that boosted sales of U.S. Mint America the Beautiful 5 Ounce Silver Bullion Coins.

Of the eight different five ounce bullion coins offered in January, the only ones showing increases were the oldest 2011-dated strikes honoring Olympic National Park, Vicksburg National Military Park and Chickasaw National Recreation Area. U.S. Mint discounts for these older silver coins lifted sales. To reduce inventory, each of the coins were sold at an $8 premium over melt value instead of the standard $9.75 premium over melt. Here is a breakdown of January sales.

	January Sales	All-Time Total
2011 Olympic National Park 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins	19,000	104,900
2011 Vicksburg National Military Park 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins	4,000	43,500
2011 Chickasaw National Recreation Area 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins	5,960	35,660
2012 El Yunque National Forest 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins	0	21,900
2012 Chaco Culture National Historical Park 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins	0	20,000
2012 Acadia National Park 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins	0	25,400
2012 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins	0	20,000
2012 Denali National Park 5 oz. Silver Bullion Coins	0	20,000

 

Even with the discount as a driving factor, it is interesting to note that total January sales of 28,960 coins easily surpassed the number of five ounce silver coins sold in any month last year.

Check this coin news article to read about the multi-month sales highs for American Eagle and American Buffalo gold bullion coins.