I read that the mint recently sold out of the 1/10 fractional AGE. I see the term "sell out" but also see that the sales are under the mint limits. I saw this for the 2012. Being new to this how do you sell out of the 2013 product when you are in 2014 but still under the limits? I could understand if there is a date that 2013 orders CEASE but don't understand Selling Out.
Maybe it was under the limits, but all stock on hand is gone. The mint is not allowed to mint 2013 coins in 2014 by law. So, even if the total was under the limit, if they do not have any more 2013 stock, and cannot make more, they are "sold out".
There are limits, but the mint makes no guarantee that they will strike that many. They strike the number they think they can sell. Some 2013 coins sold out in 2013 even though the limit had not been met. (5 star generals gold coins and probably others.) In that case the mint could have produced another batch if they wanted to. In this case the mint could not strike more 2013 1/10 proof eagles because it is 2014.
So sold out of the supply makes sense. The limits are limits and not requirements. I guess the cost of doing another batch must be balanced with sales numbers and if resources would be better allocated to other coins. Thanks.
Doesn't the Mint hold back a small percentage as replacements for returns because of damage? That could be the reason more were struck than sold.
