[FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT][FONT="] From the Mint News Blog: [/FONT][FONT="]Over the course of the past three years, the US Mint's silver bullion sales have broken numerous records. This began with the record annual sales achieved in 2008 (21 million). This followed with new annual sales records achieved in 2009 (30 million) and 2010 (32 million). Last year, a monthly sales record was also set in November 2010 (4 million), breaking the long standing prior monthly record from December 1986 (the first year of issue). In January 2011, a fresh monthly sales record was set by a wide margin. The US Mint sold 6,422,000 of the 2011 American Silver Eagle bullion coins. This exceeded the previously monthly sales record by more than 2 million. Incredibly, the latest monthly total also exceeds the annual sales totals for the program during ten separate years (86, 88, 89, 90, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98). Also, the new monthly record was achieved despite the fact that the US Mint has been rationing supplies to authorized purchasers once again. - - - It's pretty amazing. I was thinking with silver hitting a new high of over $31 an ounce in late December 2010 and then falling down to $26 last month, that sales would slow a bit for the 2011's (since most people get excited to buy during steep price rises; and so many people loaded up on ASE's in 2010). It makes me wonder if the mint might suspend ASE sales before the end of the year, since in the past, getting enough silver blanks has been a problem (causing the cancellation of some special issues in 2009). I seriously doubt it would, but if this sales rate kept up all year, the 2011 mintage could exceed 77 million (more than double the previous high). What will it take for the demand for ASE's start to let up? [/FONT]
I'm confused. The 2011 ASE's aren't on the MINTS available product list as yet. Are these figures based on " Subscriptions " ? Those figures represent sales for the 2010's .
You can buy American Silver Eagles through authorized re-sellers ... These authorized re-sellers buy ASE's directly from the U.S.Mint for $2 over spot per coin. Then they typically sell them for $1+ over that purchase price. Here is an example: http://www.goldeneaglecoin.com/Buy_Silver/Silver_American_Eagles/Uncirculated_Silver_Eagles
I don't think Dealers can sell them before the Mint makes them available . They can take orders .............regardless , the figures for the 2011 ASE"s are not factual and misleading.
i bought 6 rolls of 2011 ASE's back in mid January ... I am looking at them right now ... so they are available
Interesting . I'm going to have to freshen up on the legislation and the authorized dealer contractual agreement . To be honest , I never really paid much attention to who is on first . My understanding was that the mint had to make them available before a dealer could sell them, unless there was specific law otherwise for the issuance as was in the ATB 5 ounce bullion offerings. I need re-training. From the look of things , it may even be quite possible the mint may not offer these UNC versions at all directly from the MINT , and only through the Authorized Dealers . I find this both interesting and curious . The Proof Versions , are scheduled to be released late in the year .
The Mint doesn't make ASE's available to the general public. Thats why you don't see them on the list. They are sold only to authorized dealers. I believe there are three or four. Guy
I really wish the mint would open up sales for the standard ASEs. So, charge a few extra bucks over what they sell them to the distributors for. They already sell the proofs on their site.
That partly explains my being oblivious to this , because I've never had a collector interest in the UNC ASE's , rather the Proof issuances . I can't understand paying that amount of money for them , through Bullion Dealers . The S & H alone make them an ill-fated and over-priced . Even if they are sold at $1.00 or two over spot. + $13.00 for S & H . ? absurd . I'll wait my turn for the mint to sell the Proofs .
It is very interesting but not surprising. The ASE's are beautiful coins. The increase in silver prices have lured many people to purchase them. They love the coin and buy the next years. They move from bullion investors to coin collectors. Could that mean that my entire set will increase over bullion value? It seems that way by looking at the prices of the other years on ebay.
Of course they do . The mint however doesn't offer the " Bullion " version ( no W mint Mark ) other than through the Authorized Dealer Program . When , and if the Mint offers the 2011 UNC ASE ( with the W Mint Mark ) the release TBD will probably be only slightly higher when last offered in 2008 @ $25.95 . No 2009's or 2010's were offered .
I think the price of silver would have to drop substantially before you see a "let up" on purchase of these coins.
i agree ... it's so interesting that the lowest mintages were years that silver was dirt cheap ($4 to $5 an ounce)
Stuff like this happens all the time. Not many people bought silver or gold when the prices were a lot lower but now you see so many ads on silver, gold, or just precious metals in general and how they can be a hedge against a bad economy. So people go out there and pay a lot more than they would have if they bought only a few years ago. You're supposed to buy low and sell high but for most people it usually works the other way
i guess it's no surprise that with this RECORD DEMAND of people buying ASE's (6.5 million ounces of silver in 1 month), silver is racing back up towards the 30 year high of over $31 an ounce. next stop $35.
