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US Mint Bullion Silver Coins Surge with Silver Prices in August
September 2, 2013 by Silver Coins Today Staff · Leave a Comment
Silver prices took off in August, and demand for U.S. Mint bullion silver coins remained as strong as ever with American Silver Eagles continuing to sell at a record pace.
Silver prices, silver coin melt values and US Mint silver bullion coins surged in August
In closing the trading month on Friday, silver futures for December Delivery tumbled 63 cents, or 2.6%, to settle at $23.51 an ounce on the Comex in New York. Despite the fall, silver prices in August rallied $3.89 or 19.8%.
The monthly up-tick is a second in a row after five prior declines. The white metal in July climbed 16 cents, or 0.8%, and it gained $1.12, or 3.7%, in January. In between, silver prices marked monthly losses of:
- $2.77, or 12.5%, in June,
- $1.94, or 8%, in May,
- $4.14, or 14.6%, in April,
- 10.9 cents, or 0.4%, in March, and
- $2.92, or 9.3%, in February
Declines outweigh the losses with silver prices for the year-to-date off $6.17, or 22.2%.
In other precious metals futures on the last day of the month and in their percentage changes from July:
- December gold settled at $1,396.10 an ounce for an August surge of 6.3%
- December palladium closed at $723.85 an ounce for an August loss of 0.3%, and
- October platinum finished at $1,527.10 an ounce for a monthly bump of 6.8%
For the year so far, gold has declined 16.7% and platinum has dipped 1% but palladium has gained 2.9%.
London Fix Silver Prices
Also on Friday, London silver fix prices fell 47 cents, or 1.9%, to $23.64 an ounce. Like futures in New York, the precious metal soared in August to the tune of $3.70, or 18.6%. For the year-to-date, silver prices are off $6.31, or 21.1%.
In other London precious metals fixings:
- Gold at $1,394.75 an ounce gained 6.1% in August,
- Palladium at $727.00 an ounce declined 0.8 for the month, and
- Platinum at $1,514 an ounce added 5.7% in August
For the year so far, gold has fallen 16.2 % and platinum had declined 0.6% but palladium has advanced 4%.
United States Mint Bullion Silver Coins
August is generally one of those summer doldrum months for United States Mint silver bullion coins. That was not the case this year.
In American Silver Eagles, August sales did retreat to 3,625,000 from the prior month’s 4,406,500, which was the best ever July total and the 5th best month all-time for the series that dates back to 1986. But sales last month stand as the second best ever August, behind 2011s, and the 12th all-time highest.
Top 15 Sales Months for American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins
| Rank | Month | Monthly 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 | July 2013 | 4,406,500 |
| 6 | November 2010 | 4,260,000 |
| 7 | April 2013 | 4,087,000 |
| 8 | December 1986 | 3,696,000 |
| 9 | August 2011 | 3,679,500 |
| 10 | May 2011 | 3,653,500 |
| 11 | May 2010 | 3,636,500 |
| 12 | August 2013 | 3,625,000 |
| 13 | January 2010 | 3,592,500 |
| 14 | May 2013 | 3,458,500 |
| 15 | June 2011 | 3,402,000 |
American Silver Eagle sales for the year so far are at 33,075,000, an unprecedented level. The coin’s annual sales record of 39,868,500 happened in 2011. Back then, it took until October 1, 2011 for sales to top 33 million. The current level ranks this year as 4th highest in annual sales with still four months left in 2013.
Top 5 Annual Sales Years for American Silver Eagles
| Rank | Year | Annual Sales |
| 1 | 2011 | 39,868,500 |
| 2 | 2010 | 34,662,500 |
| 3 | 2012 | 33,742,500 |
| 4 | 2013 | 33,075,000* |
| 5 | 2009 | 28,766,500 |
*Sales are only for January through August 2013
2013 America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins gained 19,000 in August compared to 17,000 in July. Sales splits were:
- 2013 White Mountain Five Ounce Silver Coins advanced 1,300 in August for a total of 31,200.
- 2013 Perry’s Victory Five Ounce Silver Coins climbed 2,800 during the month for a total of 23,600.
- 2013 Great Basin Five Ounce Silver Coins gained 4,600 in August for a total of 22,000.
- 2013 Fort McHenry Five Ounce Silver Coins up 10,300
Fort McHenry bullion coins debuted on August 26, 2013. That was the first day US Mint authorized distributors could order them.
Melt Values of US Silver Coins
Silver coin melt values naturally advanced strongly in August as well. That cut into their losses from earlier in the year. The following grid lists melt values of US coins that circulated years ago and were produced in silver. These silver coins are often sought by collectors and investors for their intrinsic values.
| US Silver Coins | Silver Coin Melt Values (12/31/2012) | Silver Coin Melt Values (8/30/2013) | Net Change for August | Net Change Year-To-Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942-1945 Jefferson Silver Nickels | $1.68 | $1.33 | $0.21 | -$0.36 |
| 1892-1916 Barber Silver Dimes | $2.17 | $1.71 | $0.27 | -$0.46 |
| 1916-1945 Mercury Silver Dimes | $2.17 | $1.71 | $0.27 | -$0.46 |
| 1946-1964 Roosevelt Silver Dimes | $2.17 | $1.71 | $0.27 | -$0.46 |
| 1892-1916 Barber Silver Quarters | $5.42 | $4.28 | $0.67 | -$1.14 |
| 1916-1930 Standing Silver Liberty 25c | $5.42 | $4.28 | $0.67 | -$1.14 |
| 1932-1964 Washington Silver Quarters | $5.42 | $4.28 | $0.67 | -$1.14 |
| 1892-1915 Barber Silver Halves | $10.83 | $8.55 | $1.33 | -$2.28 |
| 1916-1947 Walking Liberty 50c | $10.83 | $8.55 | $1.33 | -$2.28 |
| 1948-1963 Franklin 50c | $10.83 | $8.55 | $1.33 | -$2.28 |
| 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars | $10.83 | $8.55 | $1.33 | -$2.28 |
| 1965-1970 Kennedy Half Dollars | $4.43 | $3.50 | $0.55 | -$0.93 |
| 1878-1921 Morgan Silver Dollars | $23.16 | $18.28 | $2.85 | -$4.88 |
| 1921-1935 Peace Silver Dollars | $23.16 | $18.28 | $2.85 | -$4.88 |
| 1971-1976 Silver Eisenhower $1s | $9.47 | $7.47 | $1.17 | -$1.99 |
Melt values are based on the London silver fix prices at the end of 2012, July and August.
