Buffalo proofs without limit?

Order limits seem to be the theme of the day. The U.S. Mint has just announced that when the proof 2009 gold Buffalo one-ounce coins go on sale Oct. 29 there will be no limits on orders.

Is that wise I ask myself?

Will there be a flood of orders and another round of upset customers?

True, historically the Mint has made these to order and therefore had no need to place limits on them, but this year has been an unusual year to say the least. Events might not unfold as they might have in a standard year.

Will the Mint have enough planchets to meet demand? That is the question in the back of every collector’s mind. The uncertainty might induce enough of them to take a flier and thereby increase demand beyond what might be considered a normal level for collectors of the fourth year of issue for the series.

Also, because demand for the bullion versions has been so high for the issues of prior years, might there be an overflow of demand into the higher priced proofs just so they can be obtained and socked away in retirement accounts?

This is a hard question to answer and it bears watching.