Proof gold Eagle mintages increase

This article was originally printed in Numismatic News.
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Mintage numbers were increased for the 2011 proof gold American Eagles, which were put on sale April 21 by the U.S. Mint.

For the 1 ounce coin, which sold out at 25,000 in 2010, the Mint will sell up to 30,000 2011 pieces.

For the half-ounce coin, where buyers snapped up just two-thirds of the available 15,000 2010 proofs, the Mint will again offer 15,000 2011 coins.

The ceiling for the proof quarter-ounce gold Eagle remains at 16,000 pieces. Last year collectors bought just 10,000 of these.

For the tenth-ounce proof gold Eagle, the Mint has moved up the number available to 30,000 as opposed to last year’s 27,000. Buyers, though, took only 20,000 of the 2010 tenth-ounce proofs.

The four-coin set, which contains 1.85 ounces of gold worth $2,775 has a maximum number available of 40,000 for the 2011 coins. That is up by 1,000 sets from last year. Even so, last year’s four-coin set did not sell out. An even 35,000 were sold.

Issue prices were not available as of press time, but they will fluctuate with the rapidly changing price of gold bullion, according to the Mint’s standard pricing formula.

The uncirculated “W” mintmark collector versions of the gold Eagles were slated to go on sale May 5. No prices or mintage information was available.

The proof platinum American Eagle was set for release May 26 and the proof silver Eagle on June 30.

Visit the Mint’s website at www.usmint.gov for additional information.