More ounces of American Gold Eagle bullion coins left United States Mint doors in July 2011 than during the previous month, owing to a greater exodus of the largest one-ounce version. Last month was one of the better July’s in the 22-karat gold coins’ history.
However, and to the negatives with a backdrop kept in mind in which gold prices surged 8.5 percent in July to hit several records, Gold Eagle sales were not superb when compared against other recent months. The monthly pace was the second slowest in 2011. Also, in comparing similar time frames, total sales remained significantly lower than levels from the same period in 2010 and 2009.
Last month sales of American Gold Eagle bullion coins rose to 64,500 ounces, topping the previous month by 3,000 ounces, or 4.9 percent. But that amount represents a drop of 87,500 ounces, or 57.6 percent, from the same time a year ago, and a reduction of 21,500 ounces, or 25.0 percent, from 2009.
Summer buying activity is normally tepid for all United States Mint bullion coins. The fractionals, which include the American Gold Eagle half-ounce, quarter-ounce and tenth-ounce sizes, were hit hardest in that respect. Their combined monthly totals were the lowest of all in 2011. United States Mint gold bullion coin sales by size, month and over the last year highlight:
July 2010 – July 2011 Gold Eagle Bullion Coin Sales
| Month | One ( oz. / # ) |
Half ( oz. / # ) |
Quarter ( oz. / # ) |
Tenth ( oz. / # ) |
Total ( oz. / # ) |
| 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 |
| June 2011 | 56,500 56,500 |
0 0 |
2,000 8,000 |
3,500 35,000 |
61,500 99,000 |
| July 2011 | 61,500 61,500 |
1,500 3,000 |
0 0 |
1,500 15,000 |
64,500 79,500 |
American Gold Eagle year-to-date sales have reached 640,500 ounces. The seven-month total has fallen 26.1 percent from the same stretch of time a year ago.
In other standings, last month ranked sixth best in terms of comparing sales over the last twenty-five July’s.
Top 6 July Months for Gold Eagle Sales
| YEAR | RANK | SALES TOTAL |
| 1999 | 1 | 165,500 |
| 2010 | 2 | 152,00 |
| 1998 | 3 | 107,500 |
| 2009 | 4 | 86,000 |
| 1997 | 5 | 77,000 |
| 2011 | 6 | 64,500 |
The American Gold Eagle was introduced in October 1986 in both bullion and collector versions. The bullion coins are different than the collector proof or uncirculated counterparts. Each is struck in .9167 fine gold and bear the same designs. The collector coins feature a West Point "W" mint mark while the bullion coins do not. This site’s American Eagle coins page offers an overview on Eagles offered by the United States Mint.
American Gold Buffalo and American Silver Eagle Bullion Coin Sales
United States Mint authorized buyers also snapped up 12,000 ounces of American Gold Buffalo bullion coins during the month. (The one-ounce Buffalo is composed of 24-karat, or .9999 fine gold.) Therefore, the Mint shipped out a combined 76,500 troy ounces of the yellow metal when adding in the Gold Eagles. That compares to the 67,000 troy ounces sold during the previous month.
Additionally, the Mint delivered 2,968,000 ounces of American Silver Eagle bullion coins. The level was down 12.8 percent from June, but it still ranked as the second best ever July and the fourteenth best ever month since their launch, also in 1986.
