Saratoga Silver Bullion Coin Debuts, 2015 Silver Eagle Record

Today, November 30, the U.S. Mint’s network of authorized purchasers began ordering 2015 Saratoga 5 Ounce Silver Bullion Coins, the last of this year’s five America the Beautiful 5 Ounce Silver Bullion Coins. Its design is emblematic of New York’s Saratoga National Historical Park.

First-day sales logged in at 35,800 coins, accounting for 179,000 ounces in silver. The total is 200 higher than the previous coin, which sold out in two days.

All four prior 2015-dated coins are actually no longer available, having sold out with totals of: 35,000; 42,000; 45,000; and 45,000. Those coins feature designs honoring Homestead National Monument of America in Nebraska, Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana, Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware.

Sales Update: The Saratoga coin sold out on the second day of its release, December 1. The U.S. Mint announced final sales of 45,000 coins.

Each coin is produced at the U.S. Mint facility in Philadelphia, has a 3-inch diameter and a composition of .999 fine silver. Authorized purchasers buy them at their melt value plus a $9.75 premium per coin. The coins eventually make their way into the secondary market. Today, consumers can pre-order one from dealers for about $114.

Five ounce bullion silver coins have a brilliant finish. On Thursday, December 3, the U.S. Mint will sell the collector edition directly to the public for $149.95. It is just like the bullion version, except it has an uncirculated finish and a ‘P’ mintmark.

The U.S. Mint today also started selling bags and rolls of circulating quality Saratoga National Historical Park quarters. They are available at usmint.gov/catalog.

Record for 2015 American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins

In related news, U.S. Mint bullion sales of 2015 American Silver Eagles reached a record on Monday. Authorized purchasers ordered 737,000 coins on the day, lifting sales for the year to 44,666,500 coins. That breaks last year’s annual record of 44,006,000 coins.

The record will climb higher because the U.S. Mint is producing this year’s bullion Silver Eagle through the week of December 7, and it expects to sell them through the week of December 14. The U.S. Mint will start selling next year’s edition on January 11, 2016.