Mint Stats: Set starts as a popular option

The first Star-Spangled Banner commemorative sales numbers have arrived and they are in the 2012 Commemorative Coins box below this column. The 2-coin proof set does not have a pre-set sales limit, so buyers can push it up, or ignore it as they please within the overall coin limitations. The set is priced at $555 and contains the proof silver dollar and the proof gold $5. The initial numbers make it appear that the set is the preferred way to buy the proof gold piece. Can that last? We will have to watch and see.

Each element of this multimedia package provides a distinct educational opportunity for any coin collector!

Collectors are buying more of the 5-ounce 2011 America the Beautiful coins than bullion investors. The uncirculated “P” collector version saw 1,919 of the five 2011 designs sold while bullion buyers took 1,700 of the three available bullion coin designs.

Bullion buyers generally are setting a much more leisurely pace these days. The 1-ounce gold Eagle had sales of 12,000 pieces while the 1-ounce Buffalo saw sales of 5,000. The 1-ounce silver Eagle had weekly sales of just 370,000.

Buyers took 434 proof tenth-ounce 2011 Eagles and 53 more sets.