2010 Boy Scouts Commemorative Coins Reaching Sell Out Level

Taking longer than anticipated based on a blazing start, the United States Mint has sold all but 1,200 of its inventory of 2010 Boy Scouts of America Centennial Proof Silver Dollars.

[Editor’s note: This article was updated from the original published version to include revised sales figures following earlier U.S. Mint numbers which indicated that the Boy Scouts coins had exceeded their authorized 350,000 mintage level.]

While the commemorative coins are approaching their max threshold according to the latest Mint figures as of Sunday, June 13, the proof version of the silver dollar is still available on the Mint’s online store, and with no waiting list option.

In recent instances where coins have reached maximum levels, the Mint has enabled a waiting list process for ordering similar to what collectors experienced when the uncirculated version of the Boy Scouts coins sold out in late April. Those joining the list are sent a commemorative on a first-come, first-served basis, and only if a previous order has been cancelled.

With the "list"option, the Mint retains the ability to sell all of the authorized silver dollars while taking into account upcoming returns, cancellations, etc. In standby, those on the list are not guaranteed a coin, but there is always the possibility.

Both the proof and the uncirculated Scout Coins launched back on March 23, 2010 at the introductory pricing of $39.95 and $33.95, respectively. Initial ordering for the commemoratives proved to be quite hectic and in less than a week, 144,732 of the proof and 69,941 of the uncirculated sold, for a total of 214,673. This represented an astonishing 60% of the entire allowed mintage of only 350,000.

Sales remained brisk after this point, but not nearly as hot as could have been expected. It took until April 26 for the next major milestone in Scout sales to be attained. It was on this date that the Mint placed the uncirculated silver dollar on the "waiting list only" option. Then, the most recent figures showed 312,653 total coins sold, or 89.3% of the mintage. An official sell-out occurred on April 29th, when the Mint removed the uncirculated coins from the waiting list option.

During the following weeks, proof Scout coins continued to be available with a few thousand more ordered every week.

Initial numbers for total coins sold place the ratio of proof to uncirculated near 70/30, undoubtedly the split the Mint had decided upon earlier in the program based on opening demand and past commemorative performances. In hindsight, a more generous split for the uncirculated option would have likely resulted in a complete sell out of the BSA silver dollars several weeks sooner.

Currently, 243,800 proofs have been registered as sold for a weekly increase of 1,620 as compared to the prior 1,854 pick up. Uncirculated coins are at an even 105,000 after receiving their largest weekly declination of 1,797 in what could be the final processing of returns, cancellations and standby orders. Had the uncirculated option not dropped by such an amount — they declined by only 57 the prior week and 25 before then — the Boy Scouts coins would have already sold out. 348,800 is the latest unaudited total sales figures. The 350,000 mintage level mentioned earlier is the maximum as outlined in the law authorizing the coins.

The 2010 Boy Scouts of America Centennial Proof Silver Dollar are nearly in the history books, which will leave the American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollars to serve as the Mint’s only available commemorative silver dollars. That is until next year when the Mint releases the 2011 United States Army Commemorative Coins and the 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coins.

Those interested in being placed on the waiting list for the Proof Scout Coin may do so on the Mint’s website of http://catalog.usmint.gov, or by phone at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).