US Mint Sales: Buffalo Proofs Soften, UHRs and Eagles Rise

Gold coins are again the major talking points coming out of the latest US Mint sales data. Buffalo gold proof numbers are less spectacular than those from last week’s report. But they are far from shabby and a retreat from the earlier blazing sales was to be expected.

Standing out also were Ultra High Reliefs, bullion Eagles, Braille dollars and the Mint’s traditional annual sets. All improved over the prior week. Our bullet point analysis follows:

• In less than two weeks, collector 2009 Buffalo Gold Proof Coins surpassed the 2008 sales figures of 25,896. Another 8,487 were added, raising the total to 27,955. In the same family, the sister bullion versions are now at 132,000 for an increase of 15,500 in the last seven days. They are 40,000 shy of topping the same sized 2008-dated sales.

• American Silver Eagles climbed 850,00 during the same seven-day period, which was 151K better than the last. American Gold Eagles spurred ahead 30,000 — more than double the prior figure. November is historically one of the better months of the year for bullion coins.

• UHR $20 Double Eagles advanced for a second week. Weekly numbers came in at 1,453 for a year-to-date tally of 103,764. Last week’s report showed a pick up of 1,045 while the week prior was a lowly 562.

• Louis Braille Silver Dollars also improved for the second straight week, although the Uncirculated Easy-Open Capsule and the Braille Education Set slid. A combined 204,851 have been sold across all product offerings.

• Demand was strong for 2009 US Mint Proof Sets and US Mint Uncirculated Sets. New sales showed respective increases of 20,087 and 27,694, which compare to the prior 18,080 and 23,469.

• Sales levels remained the same or declined for all but one of the ten available First Spouse Gold Coins. Van Buren’s Liberty Proof rose by 63 versus last week’s 36.

Major US Mint coin sales follow:

US Mint Collector Coin Sales

(Data compare previous to current Mint sales reports)

*Sold out/no longer available.

Notable summaries of sales articles this week from CoinNews and sister sites follow:

• First Spouse Coin Prices, Sales Decline – FirstSpouseCoins.us
  The weekly London Fix gold average jumped, reaching the next rung on the US Mint’s pricing slide rule. As a result, expect the US Mint to increase First Spouse Gold Coin prices by $25 sometime before noon on Thursday. According to Mint policy, the prices will be $729 for the proofs and $716 for each uncirculated. Those will be never-before-seen, all-time highs …

• 2009 Silver Proof Set Sales Hit 558,388 – SilverCoinsToday.com
  The 2009 Silver Proof Set not only recovered from its recent dip, but it again garnered the most attention in the realm of numismatic silver products, the latest US Mint weekly coin sales reveal. The silver proof set rose by 9,586 to mark a more than 2K improvement over last week’s reported 7,455. The set is at 558,388, accounting for nearly $30 million in US Mint gross sales since …

• 2009 Cent Sales, "Presidency" Launches Tomorrow – 2009LincolnPennies.com
  The fourth and final 2009 re-designed Lincoln penny, known as the Lincoln “Presidency” Cent, will launch tomorrow with significant fanfare. The ceremony will take place at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial on the west side of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. at 10 AM ET. Demand is expected to be high during the penny exchange that will follow the ceremony, and for more details, see Presidency Cent Launch Information …

The non bullion coin sales figures above have an "as of date" of Nov. 8. The previous reported sales figures are located here. For an always updated reference of the latest articles, visit US Mint Sales.