The United States Mint sold fewer American Gold Eagle bullion coins in February 2011 than the previous month, but more were carried out its doors than during the same period from a year ago. Gold Eagle coin sales last month rank as the fourth best February since their introduction in October 1986.
US Mint Authorized Purchasers scooped up 92,500 ounces of the 22-karat gold bullion coins in February 2011. That is down 30.7 percent from the 133,500 ounces sold in January 2011.
However, the level is a 10.1 percent increase over February 2010. The following table shows leading sales by year during the month.
Top Six February Gold Eagle Sales
| February Rank | Year | Sales Total |
| 1 | 1987 | 205,000 |
| 2 | 1999 | 144,000 |
| 3 | 2009 | 113,500 |
| 4 | 2011 | 92,500 |
| 5 | 1989 | 86,500 |
| 6 | 2010 | 84,000 |
The following sales chart illustrates how the coins have performed during the month since their debut.
American Gold Eagle Bullion Coin Sales in February (1986-2011)
American Gold Eagles are available in four sizes. In individual ounces for the month, the US Mint registered sales of 72,500 of the one ounce, 6,000 of the half ounce, 4,000 of the quarter ounce and 10,000 of the tenth ounce sizes. The three smaller sized coins posted their best monthly sales figures since the launch of the 2010-dated fractionals in June. The following chart shows how each bullion coin has performed over the past 14 months. The topmost number in each cell is in ounces while the second represents the total number of coins sold.
Gold Eagle Bullion Coin Sales
| Month | One ( oz. / # ) |
Half ( oz. / # ) |
Quarter ( oz. / # ) |
Tenth ( oz. / # ) |
Total ( oz. / # ) |
| January 2010 | 85,000 85,000 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
85,000 85,000 |
| February 2010 | 84,000 84,000 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
84,000 84,000 |
| March 2010 | 102,000 102,000 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
102,000 102,000 |
| April 2010 | 60,500 60,500 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
60,500 60,500 |
| May 2010 | 190,000 190,000 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
190,000 190,000 |
| June 2010 | 97,000 97,000 |
15,500 31,000 |
11,000 44,000 |
28,000 280,000 |
151,500 452,000 |
| July 2010 | 147,500 147,500 |
1,000 2,000 |
500 2,000 |
3,000 30,000 |
152,000 181,500 |
| August 2010 | 39,000 39,000 |
500 1,000 |
500 2,000 |
1,500 15,000 |
41,500 57,000 |
| September 2010 | 82,500 82,500 |
1,000 2,000 |
1,500 6,000 |
3,000 30,000 |
88,000 120,500 |
| October 2010 | 89,500 89,500 |
1,500 3,000 |
500 2,000 |
2,500 25,000 |
94,000 119,500 |
| November 2010 | 107,500 107,500 |
3,000 6,000 |
1,000 4,000 |
500 5,000 |
112,000 122,500 |
| December 2010 | 58,500 58,500 |
500 1,000 |
500 2,000 |
500 5,000 |
60,000 66,500 |
| January 2011 | 130,500 130,500 |
500 1,000 |
500 2,000 |
2,000 20,000 |
133,500 153,500 |
| February 2011 | 72,500 72,500 |
6,000 12,000 |
4,000 16,000 |
10,000 100,000 |
92,500 200,500 |
The 2011-dated Gold Eagles were released on January 3.
The US Mint is yet to offer the 2011 American Gold Buffalo bullion coin. The 24-karat coins were not issued last year until April.
American Gold Eagle bullion coins are different than the numismatic counterparts coin collectors most prefer. All Gold Eagles are composed of .9167 fine gold and feature the same designs on the obverse and reverse. However, unlike the collector versions, the investment-grade bullion coins are not sold directly by the US Mint to the public, they do not feature the collector proof or uncirculated finishes, and they do not bear the West Point "W" mint mark (although they are all produced there).
The US Mint 2011 product schedule shows the numismatic proof and uncirculated 2011 American Gold Eagles will be available on April 21 and May 5, respectively. The proof American Gold Buffalo coin is scheduled for release on May 19.
