New United States Mint 2014-dated silver bullion coins sold quickly on release, ringing in first-day sales that surpassed totals from the previous four months.

U.S. Mint 2014 silver bullion coin sales topped 3.4M in the first week

2014 American Eagle silver coins launched on Monday, Jan. 13, or one full month after the 2013-dated versions sold out.

Previously, the United States Mint told its authorized dealers that the amount of 2014 Silver Eagles they could order during the first week was limited to "approximately 3.5M coins." The final weekly allocation total turned out to be 3,575,000. Of that, the Mint’s network of dealers ordered 3,180,500 on the first day.

During the next few days through to Friday, Jan. 17, bullion coin sales stacked up to 3,464,000. If there was any surprise, it was that the full allocation did not move. The leftover 111,000 coins will get added to next week’s bullion allocation which the Mint told its dealers on Tuesday would be a significantly lower. The Mint memo to them said in part:

"Thank you for your American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin orders this week. The United States Mint allocated between 3.5M-3.6M coins to its Authorized Purchaser network on Monday, January 13, 2014.

Next week’s allocation will be much lower as we begin the process of slowly building weekly inventories of 2014-dated coins. We anticipate having between 500,000 – 600,000 coins for next Monday’s allocation. Please plan accordingly. Quantities are scheduled to increase the following week after that."

Last year and without an allocation system in play, the U.S. Mint launched its 2013 American Eagle silver bullion coins on Jan. 7. Opening-day coin sales reached 3,937,000. By the end of the first week, a total of 4,782,500 had moved. The Mint’s inventory was depleted by the following week (on Jan. 17) with coin sales of 6,007,000.

After a temporary suspension, 2013 Silver Eagle sales resumed on Jan. 28 but under an allocation system that has been in place ever since. 2013 American Eagle silver coin sales in January 2013 went on to achieve an all-time monthly record at 7,498,000.