Today, January 3, 2012, United States Mint "Authorized Purchasers" can place orders for newly dated ("2012") bullion American Eagles, including those composed of gold and silver. The product releases mark the first of the year for the US Mint.
The US Mint opened up ordering for the new bullion American Eagles through its network of buyers — "AP’s" for short. As bullion products, these coins are not sold directly to end-users like the Mint’s numismatic products are. Instead, AP’s make purchases in bulk from the Mint and then resell the coins in smaller quantities for a bit over the current spot price of the precious metals they contain. As such, it will take several days before any of the newly dated American Eagles become available through the secondary market.
For reference, the following memo was sent out by the US Mint to its AP’s late last year and it covers the Mint’s inventory of 2011-dated bullion American Eagles and the 2012’s.
Authorized Purchasers:
Following are the updated guidelines for the year-end ordering policy for American Eagle Bullion coins:
The United States Mint will begin accepting orders for 2012 dated American Eagle Gold (one ounce, half-ounce, quarter-ounce, and tenth-ounce) and Silver Bullion coins on Tuesday, January 3, 2012. As we plan on having sufficient quantities of all coins available, we do not anticipate having to allocate the initial release. There will be no early pick-ups that week. All coins ordered on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 will be available for pick-up on Friday, January 6, 2012.
American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins: As of this update, the United States Mint has a quantity of 2011-dated American Eagle Silver Bullion coins remaining in inventory at the West Point Mint. These coins will remain on sale through December 30, 2011. Any remaining inventory of 2011-dated coins going into January 2012 will be sold on a 4:1 ratio basis when ordering 2012-dated American Silver Bullion Coins.
American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins: As of this update, the United States Mint has a quantity of 2011-dated American Eagle half-ounce, quarter-ounce, and tenth-ounce gold bullion coins remaining in inventory. These coins will remain on sale through December 30, 2011. Any remaining inventory of 2011-dated half-ounce and quarter-ounce coins going into January 2012 will be offered at a discount to all gold Authorized Purchasers. The United States Mint sells the one-half ounce and one-quarter ounce gold bullion coins at premiums of 5% and 7%, respectively. The 2011 dated one-half ounce gold bullion coins will be offered for sale at a 2% premium, and the 2011 dated one-quarter ounce bullion coins at a 3% premium. Any remaining inventory of 2011-dated tenth-ounce coins going into January 2012 will be sold on a 4:1 ratio basis when ordering 2012-dated American Eagle tenth-ounce Gold Bullion Coins.
American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Bullion Coins: We are targeting to have the 2012 American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Bullion Coins available in March 2012. Additional information regarding these coins will be communicated as it becomes available. We do, however, still have a quantity of 2011 American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Bullion Coins remaining in inventory at the West Point Mint.
