US Mint Sales: Silver Eagle Bullion Coins Seize 9 Million Milestone

American Silver Eagle coins have just surged past the 9 million milestone for 2011. But while the bullion eagles and the market price of silver may be blasting off, demand for US Mint numismatic silver products is retreating. The two most popular items in the prior US Mint sales report, the 2011 Silver Proof Sets and the US Army Silver Dollar Commemorative Coins, underperformed in this round.

The Silver Proof Set remained the top contender, but 14,116 sold versus 24,630 and 23,151 in the previous two rounds. A gradual decline is normal following a fresh release, so it was actually the performance last week that was out of the ordinary. The set launched on January 25. By Sunday, February 20, its total landed at 271,264, which was slightly more than 50% of the current total for the 2010 Silver Proof Set.

Army Silver Dollars came in second. Proof versions continue to be desired the most, accounting for 7,951 of the combined 10,656 that sold in this round. The uncirculated were 2,705. Their previous weekly figures combined to a total of 20,061. As for the commemoratives’ totals, they wound up at 69,387 for the proofs and 28,923 for the uncirculated since their start date on January 31.

The third best seller was the 2010 Silver Proof Set with a gain of 3,135. It too was lower than before, which was 3,532. Its tally rested at 538,973.

Only the 2010 America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set could fair better than last time. Their sales grew 2,817 compared to 1,162.

Bullion Silver American Eagles continue to soar. Authorized Purchasers took in 908,000 since Wednesday the 16th, which is slightly higher than the prior two weeks. The month-to-date total rolled in at 2,638,500 and the year-to-date number seized 9,060,500. For a perspective, the bullion series launched in 1986 and there has been 14 instances since then where the 9 million level was not achieved for the entire year.

The US Mint will launch the Medal of Honor Silver Dollars on Friday, February 25. Their debuting figures will be added to the sales tables next week.

The following are the latest silver coin product sales figures:

US Mint Sales: Numismatic Silver Coins

	Previous Sales	New Sales	Unit Increase	% Increase	Mintage Limit
2011 Army Silver Dollar Proof	61,436	69,387	7,951	12.94%	98,310 of 500,000
2011 Army Silver Dollar Uncirculated	26,218	28,923	2,705	10.32%
2011 US Mint Silver Proof Set	257,148	271,264	14,116	5.49%	none
2010 US Mint Silver Proof Set	535,838	538,973	3,135	0.59%	none
2010 America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set™	236,683	239,500	2,817	1.19%	none
2010 Proof American Silver Eagles	860,000	860,000	0	0%	none

 

Sunday, February 20, is the "as of date" for the US Mint collector coin sales figures shown above.

 

US Mint Sales: 2011 Silver Eagles

January*	6,422,000
February	2,638,500
Total	9,060,500

 

*Wednesday, February 23, is the "as of date" for the bullion eagle numbers. The sales figures include 469,500 of the 2010-dated Silver Eagles sold.