U.S. Mint buyers purchased more ounces of American Gold Eagle bullion coins in October 2010 than the prior September, marking a second straight month of gains.
United States published coin sales figures show 94,000 ounces of the eagles were sold last month, up from the 88,000 in September and the 41,500 from August.
May continues at the top spot for 2010 with 190,000. The monthly totals include the one ounce Gold Eagle as well as the three fractional 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce, and 1/10 ounce sizes. Although total ounces were higher in October, slightly fewer fractional 2010 Gold Eagles were sold as compared to September.
2010 Gold Eagle Sales Totals
| Month | One ( oz. / #coins ) |
Half ( oz. / #coins ) |
Quarter ( oz. / #coins ) |
Tenth ( oz. / #coins ) |
Total ( oz. / #coins ) |
| January | 85,000 85,000 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
85,000 85,000 |
| February | 84,000 84,000 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
84,000 84,000 |
| March | 102,000 102,000 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
102,000 102,000 |
| April | 60,500 60,500 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
60,500 60,500 |
| May | 190,000 190,000 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
190,000 190,000 |
| June | 97,000 97,000 |
15,500 31,000 |
11,000 44,000 |
28,000 280,000 |
151,500 452,000 |
| July | 147,500 147,500 |
1,000 2,000 |
500 2,000 |
3,000 30,000 |
152,000 181,500 |
| August | 39,000 39,000 |
500 1,000 |
500 2,000 |
1,500 15,000 |
41,500 57,000 |
| September | 82,500 82,500 |
1,000 2,000 |
1,500 6,000 |
3,000 30,000 |
88,000 120,500 |
| October | 89,500 89,500 |
1,500 3,000 |
500 2,000 |
2,500 25,000 |
94,000 119,500 |
| Total | 974,000 974,000 |
19,500 39,000 |
14,000 56,000 |
38,000 380,000 |
1,048,500 1,452,000 |
October 1986 remains the best ever month for the eagles with 692,000 ounces sold, representing just over 1 million coins. The date marked the first time the 22 karat bullion coins were available, which naturally inflated sales. American Gold Eagle bullion coin demand starting ticking substantially higher during the second half of 2008, and last month was the sixth best October since the series debuted. However, the performance lagged the same month sales in 2009 and in 2008. Overall demand is slipping from its latest peak to some degree.
Gold Eagle Bullion Coin Sales: October 1986-2010
Still, 2010 will be one of the best years for the gold pieces. Year-to-date sales already rank as the sixth best, and there is still two months left in the year that will be added into the mix.
Although Gold Eagle sales historically picks up in November and December, it does appear that the final 2010 tally will fall behind the 1.425 million ounces sold in 2009.
Annual Gold Eagle Bullion Coin Sales: 1986-2010
Companion American Silver Eagles soared last month with levels breaking four straight monthly declines. Their sales are nearing and will soon shatter the all-time annual record set in 2009. For more, read the CoinNews.net article about October Silver Eagle sales.
