Mint Stats: Silver Eagles take flight in new year

Bullion silver American Eagle buyers still seem to love the 1-ounce coin. In the first two days of availability the Mint vended 3,937,000 of the 2013-dated coins. Last year for the full month, 6,107,000 were sold.

Gold buyers in the first week of sales spread their interests wider than last year. So far 57,000 1-ounce gold American Eagles were sold. Last year 84,500 1-ounce coins were sold in January. However, demand for 1-ounce gold Buffaloes was nearly double last year’s January rate. For 2013, buyers have grabbed 25,000 compared to 13,500 sold during January in 2012.

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Demand for fractional gold was less. 10,000 half-ounce coins sold compared to 49,000 for the entire month in 2012. Some 14,000 quarter-ounce pieces were sold versus 38,000 in the entire month last year. Tenth-ounce coins ran up a total of 60,000 pieces in the first week compared to 85,000 for the entire month last year.

The Mint is discounting 2011 5-ounce bullion coins, charging $8 per coin rather than a $9.75 premium.