A new trend that has settled in the gold market could now affect U.S. Mint commemorate and numismatic gold coin prices, while platinum coins appear safe from change.
Gold has maintained an average since last Thursday that is above the range used by the U.S. Mint to last set gold coin prices. If the price of gold on the London Fix does not fall dramatically on Wednesday, then collectors will have to pay more for 14 of the Mint’s commemorative and numismatic products containing the precious metal.
[Update: The U.S. Mint before noon ET on Wednesday raised coin prices as expected. The new prices are shown in the third column below.]
Specifically, the weekly average price of gold and also the Wednesday PM fix would have to end up above $1,649.99 an ounce to warrant an increase in gold coin prices. The table below describes the expected rise of coin prices.
Likely US Mint Commemorative and Numismatic Gold Coin Prices
| Numismatic Product | Current Prices | Likely Prices | Price Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proof First Spouse Coins | $979.00 | $1,004.00 | $25.00 |
| 2011-2012 American Buffalo | $1,910.00 | $1,960.00 | $50.00 |
| 2012 1 oz Proof American Eagle | $1,885.00 | $1,935.00 | $50.00 |
| 2012 1/2 oz Proof American Eagle | $956.00 | $981.00 | $25.00 |
| 2012 1/4 oz Proof American Eagle | $490.50 | $503.00 | $12.50 |
| 2012 1/10 oz Proof American Eagle | $210.50 | $215.50 | $5.00 |
| 2011-2012 Proof American Gold Eagle 4-Coin Set | $3,493.00 | $3,585.50 | $92.50 |
| 2012 1 oz Uncirculated American Eagle | $1,878.00 | $1,928.00 | $50 |
| 2012 Star-Spangled Banner $5 Commemorative — Proof | $497.85 | $510.00 | $12.15 |
| 2012 Star-Spangled Banner $5 Commemorative — Uncirculated | $487.85 | $500.00 | $12.15 |
| 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Two-Coin Set | $547.85 | $560.85 | $12.15 |
According to the U.S. Mint’s pricing policy, if the weekly average price of gold on the London Fix from Thursday’s AM fix to Wednesday’s AM fix is above $1,649.99 and Wednesday’s PM fix, which is the last indicator of the trend, is also above $1,649.99, then gold coin prices will change from their current level to the likely prices. The PM fixing is the one to watch.
Proof First Spouse Coins that are still for sale by the United States Mint honor Lucretia Garfield and Lucy Hayes.
Typically, when the United States Mint adjusts its gold coin prices, sales of the affected products are halted temporarily until all of the changes are made and tested. Usually, this process takes place sometime between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday and takes less than 30 minutes.
