Fractional 2009 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins were released today and initial reports by the US Mint show they are on fire, with sales already approaching totals from all of 2008.
Spurring demand are bullish gold prices. The yellow metal was driven to another record of $1,227.50 an ounce in New York on Thursday, marking a third straight day of all-time highs. Gold has now closed at a fresh high for the 20th trading day since Nov., and is up 38 percent this year.
Last week’s US Mint suspension of the one-ounce size due to "strong demand" and a "depleted" inventory also helped the fractionals.
As announced in early Oct., the US Mint released the Eagle Gold Bullion Coins in one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce weights. Together, the Mint sold 345,000 coins to its authorized purchasers for a total of 58,000 ounces of gold. That, without a single one-ounce size leaving Mint doors.
[Editor’s update: On Friday, Dec. 4, the US Mint announced the depletion of fractional Gold Eagle inventory and that it would begin allocating the coins.]
The following two tables list the latest 2008 and 2009 sales figures as provided by the US Mint:
Fractional 2009 American Eagle Bullion Coin Sales
| 1 oz | 1/2 oz | 1/4 oz | 1/10 oz | |
| January | 92,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| February | 113,500 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| March | 136,500 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| April | 147,500 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| May | 65,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| June | 116,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| July | 86,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| August | 82,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| September | 115,500 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| October | 115,500 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| November | 124,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| December* | 0 | 43,000 | 42,000 | 260,000 |
| Total | 1,193,500 | 43,000 | 42,000 | 260,000 |
*As reported by the US Mint on Dec. 3, 2009.
Fractional 2008 American Eagle Bullion Coin Sales Totals
| 1 oz | 1/2 oz | 1/4 oz | 1/10 oz | |
| Total | 794,000 | 50,000 | 58,000 | 270,000 |
The US Mint sells bullion gold coins for a small amount over the current spot price of gold, but only to authorized purchasers. The authorized purchasers in turn resell the coins to coin dealers, precious metal providers and/or directly to the public.
Sales of 2009 one-ounce sized gold eagles are expected to resume in "early December" while the production of the 2010-dated American Eagle Gold and Silver One Ounce Bullion Coin are expected to begin in Jan., 2010.
