I own one of these coins (2007) and only because the opportunity to purchase one presented itself rather fortuitously. At the time the mint had suspended sales of gold eagles because they were re-evaluating the selling price but for some reason the proof Buff was still on sale....and the price (as I recall) was equal to or near "spot". Had the dough, pulled the trigger and the rest is history. Today is another story. The price for these pieces is so outrageously over inflated that that I can't justify the financial outlay so I will pass on this particular issue. Buying something like this would seriously cripple my coin collecting budget for this year, and, there are so many other things I need to add to the collection. :smile Mintage figures for this year? I'll predict 50,000, however, the crystal ball is still a little hazy this morning.....
I'm not planning to buy this coin from the Mint this year. The Mint has not yet stated whether there will be any household limit on orders and there has been no stated mintage limit for the 2010-W Proof AGB. Sales of coins on the US Mint web site should be done according to the published United States Mint Coin Pricing Grid [pdf] however following the Mint's refusal to adjust the price of FS coins last week it leaves that totally up in the air since policy is only applied at the US Mint when it suits their profit margin: US Mint Responds on Numismatic Gold Coin Pricing Policy from CoinUpdate.com 5/31/2010 This sort of flip-flop policy can hurt sales and in turn inform final mintage which won't be known until sometime next year at the earliest. The Mint is putting the 2010-W Proof AGB on sale this year about 3 months earlier than last year's 2009-W Proof AGB. There is a potentially longer window of time in which the Mint can sell the 2010-W AGB so if POG is adjusted according to policy and gold doesn't spike up too much this year deterring some buyers or alienating others' budgets, there could be an increase in sales over last years final 2009-W Proof AGB mintage which I believe is around 48,396 last time I checked. Lastly, as of this week the Mint has reported sales of 135,000 Unc 2010 bullion version AGBs. Again, no mintage limits on these coins either.
I purchased mine today because I love the coin and want the complete series. Just speculating here, but I believe scores of collectors are turned off from the high price tag of $1510. Many The folks who purchase this coin may be new to collecting and will never let it go – especially if prices fall. This could potentially be a difficult date to obtain in the future/
Possibly, but right now I need rent money more than an overpriced ounce of gold. $305 over spot ..I mean really?
I was going to buy one (I have a few proof buffs from past years), but the premium this year is a little rich for my blood. Seems like the Mint is being opportunistic at the cost of collectors. Too bad the Mint couldn't have a reasonable price for the first coin (to serve collectors), and a higher price for additional coins (to discourage speculative buying)? I imagine many are buying them in volume to have them slabbed "first strike" or some other equally useless designation so they can make their profit.
