While still impressively high, demand for American Gold Eagle bullion coins weakened in May 2011, according to finalized monthly sales figures from the United States Mint.
Sales were modestly slower than the previous month, and down significantly from the levels of a year ago — although May 2010 happened to be a gigantic month as gold bullion sales had reached their highest point since June 1999.
United States Mint buyers ordered 107,000 ounces of bullion Gold Eagles last month, making it the third best May ever for the series which debuted in 1986. Available from the Mint in four sizes, the 22-karat bullion coins were split with sales of 93,500 for the one ounce ($50 denomination), 22,000 for the half ounce ($25 denomination), 4,000 for the quarter ounce ($10 denomination) and 15,000 for the tenth ounce ($5 denomination). The 22,000 ounces for the half ounce actually represents the best monthly figure for that size since June 2010.
The following table shows how each Gold Eagle bullion coin has performed over the past year. The topmost number in each cell is in ounces while the second number represents the total amount of coins sold.
May 2010 – May 2011 Gold Eagle Bullion Coin Sales
| Month | One ( oz. / # ) |
Half ( oz. / # ) |
Quarter ( oz. / # ) |
Tenth ( oz. / # ) |
Total ( oz. / # ) |
| May 2010 | 190,000 190,000 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
190,000 190,000 |
| June 2010 | 97,000 97,000 |
15,500 31,000 |
11,000 44,000 |
28,000 280,000 |
151,500 452,000 |
| July 2010 | 147,500 147,500 |
1,000 2,000 |
500 2,000 |
3,000 30,000 |
152,000 181,500 |
| August 2010 | 39,000 39,000 |
500 1,000 |
500 2,000 |
1,500 15,000 |
41,500 57,000 |
| September 2010 | 82,500 82,500 |
1,000 2,000 |
1,500 6,000 |
3,000 30,000 |
88,000 120,500 |
| October 2010 | 89,500 89,500 |
1,500 3,000 |
500 2,000 |
2,500 25,000 |
94,000 119,500 |
| November 2010 | 107,500 107,500 |
3,000 6,000 |
1,000 4,000 |
500 5,000 |
112,000 122,500 |
| December 2010 | 58,500 58,500 |
500 1,000 |
500 2,000 |
500 5,000 |
60,000 66,500 |
| January 2011 | 130,500 130,500 |
500 1,000 |
500 2,000 |
2,000 20,000 |
133,500 153,500 |
| February 2011 | 72,500 72,500 |
6,000 12,000 |
4,000 16,000 |
10,000 100,000 |
92,500 200,500 |
| March 2011 | 60,500 60,500 |
4,000 8,000 |
5,000 20,000 |
4,000 40,000 |
73,500 128,500 |
| April 2011 | 94,500 94,500 |
6,000 12,000 |
3,500 14,000 |
4,000 40,000 |
108,000 160,500 |
| May 2011 | 93,500 93,500 |
11,000 22,000 |
1,000 4,000 |
1,500 15,000 |
107,000 134,500 |
Aside from a few notable spikes — last month being one of them, May tends to be a slower month in general for the American Gold Eagle bullion coin.
Top 5 May American Gold Eagle Sales
| Year | March Rank | Sales Total |
| 2010 | 1 | 190,000 |
| 1999 | 2 | 172,000 |
| 2011 | 3 | 107,000 |
| 1998 | 4 | 91,500 |
| 1987 | 5 | 78,000 |
Demand typically retreats further as the summer progresses. However, the last few years have not exactly been normal for precious metals prices. That has driven bullion coin sales to higher levels, making monthly forecasts virtually impossible.
Gold Eagle bullion coins are different than the collector counterparts. Each is struck from .9167 fine gold and feature the same designs. A major distinction is that collector proof and uncirculated versions bear a West Point "W" mintmark on their obverse. The bullion American Gold Eagle does not have a mintmark.
This site’s bullion coins section offers information on US and World bullion offerings from government mints.
