One of these days you guys need to realize that these are not mintage numbers. They are sales numbers which are totally meaningless in regard to mintage. Mintage numbers are not even released until the following year of a given coin's production.
This year coins are available for sale, until: 1. All sold out, or 2. When the 2008 version is released.
From Numistatic News: 1/2 oz Proof is at 533 & 2,561 Sets over 3,000. 1/2 oz UNC W is at 321 & 1,619 Sets almost 2,000. 1/2 oz UNC had 1,000 sold in April and most likely much higher.
If the only way of releasing the coins is by sales wouldn't the sales number be more relevant than the mintage number??? Granted the sales number will increase throughout the year, but if the mint had 5,000 minted and could only sell say 2,500 the remaining would be melted and next year the mintage number wouldn't reflect supply, only the sales number.
But that's the point, what good is it or what possible meaning can a sales number, that you know is going to change next week or next month, have in regard to a given coin ? The only number that matters is the mintage number. Mintage numbers never change - sales numbers change daily. So at least call it what it is - instead of what it is not.
We are talking about the Platinum 1/2 oz eagle. Not statehood quarters that may have a larger mintage number despite what may have currently been released. The Platinum coins cannot be shipped out to banks. Statehood quarters can. Looking forward the mintage number would only give you an indication of what is a possible supply, not current supply which is indicated by sales. Whether the mintage number is 5,000 or 100,000 and the mint has only sold a few hundred, the sales number provides much more of an idea of possible supply than mintage. People pay close attention to sales numbers and they become much more relevant towards November and December. Mintage number is not the only number that matters. They may not change, but are irrelevant after the first of the year. People are looking at sales numbers as an indicator of future supply and the vast majority do realize that the number increases towards the end of the year.
If calling a coin "What it is" is defining a coin based on mintage is not the same as "what it is" if after the mint discontinues the coin and the sales number is much lower. A coin with a mintage of any number is not the same as what becomes released. If you are trying to illustrate that 225 coins released with months still to go will not be a mintage number than that is true, but still current demand give a better picture of how these are selling and where they will end up than a unknown mintage number.
I was just indicating that they sold that number thus far, mintage was the wrong term. As for the value of the info that is up to each to decide.
