The US Mint has interrupted its production of the ASE for 2009. Is this something that happens often with these coins? Have they just minted all the coins they have wanted for the year or is there actually been a shortage of silver out there? I certainly see enough of them on ebay, although not many proofs or uncirculated coins, to make me thing that they have minted quite a few. I also notice that this "shortage" hasn't stopped the minting of the Lincoln coin or the Braille. Any ideas as to what's going on and would you buy a 2009 with the hope of it being a rare commodity?
Last I heard there was a shortage of planchets - not silver. It seems to me Coin World had an article on it. Can't really remember the reason.
