Having launched Thursday at noon ET, a stampede of orders maxed out all 100,000 of the available American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Sets in less than five hours.
The United States Mint placed a waiting list notice on the set’s online product page, stating:
Waiting List Notice: The number of orders we have taken meets the maximum limit for the 2011 American Eagle 25th Anniversary Silver Coin Set. You may still place an order for this product, which will go on a waiting list. If a product becomes available due to an order cancellation, we will fulfill orders from the waiting list on a first-in, first-served basis. We cannot provide information about your position on the waiting list.
[Update: The United States Mint officially declared the 25th Anniversary Sets "sold out" Friday morning.]
Collectors rushed for American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Sets Thursday, bringing down the Mint’s website and making ordering difficult or impossible to place for hours. United States Mint phone lines were little help, with callers hearing the busy signal after multiple attempts.
With a sell-out all but officially announced, buyers who were not able to order in time can now only hope an old order is cancelled so theirs may get processed. In the past for popular products with the waiting list feature implemented, the system has worked. However, odds of cancellations are slimmer in this round since the sets are, obviously, extremely popular.
As a quick recap, each set includes:
- a 2011 Bullion American Silver Eagle
- a 2011-W Proof American Silver Eagle
- a 2011-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagle
- a 2011-S Uncirculated American Silver Eagle
- and a 2011-P Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle
While the first three in the list may be purchased separately, all indications are that the remaining two will only be available through the sets, or in the secondary market after buyers break a set and sell them individually.
To join the waiting list, visit the Mint’s online store at http://catalog.usmint.gov, or its toll free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Does anyone know the time the Mint decided that it had no more sets?
Has to be a record or second best. 1995 AE of 30,000 must be the best. Quick profit to be made.
4:30
i finally got through at 5:04 and i am on waiting list i tried on phone every 15 seconds and of course the web was locked up??????
thats eastern time its 6:33 now
I tried to get on the website starting at 12:30 pm eastern. Finally got to order my one set about 6:00 pm, Web site was slow and I was getting knocked off all day. Received e-mail confirming order at 6:07 eastern time. Hope it is a great set.
I was lucky and got through around 1pm. I just saw where someone asked $2500 for there 5 Sets, forwarded immediately unopened. I believe I would sell mine for that…..
I got a confirmed ordered in at 4:37 Mountain time. That would have been 6:37 Eastern. For about an hour before that, I could not access the order page.
Correction, it was in at about 4:30, email back from the Mint is timed stamped 4:37
Aloha all, was trying to get on site since before noon but kept getting knocked off. Could not even get to the payment page until 5:58 pm. How can you tell if you are on the waiting list or if the order is good to go? The track order says the process is backordered and expected to ship 11/11/12. The email says that the order was received and gives the process date. Do they actually tell you that you are on the waiting list?
KAHOOLA I also had delays and waits. However I was able to lock on to 5 sets in an ‘incredible’ * 8 minutes (order taken at 11:08 Central time – 12:08 Eastern). Your 11/11/12 mailing date indicates YOU also won the race. EXPECT shipment. If you are a U.S. Mint customer you should be able to check your status once the site cools down a bit. From my past experience your return message tells you that you will receive. Check out Kitco.com, lots of discussion on these sets.
I must have been extremely lucky because I called once about 12:02 and got a busy signal and then redialed and got in and ordered my set by 12:03 and had the email confirmation by 12:04. This isn’t my typical experience with them and I have been shut out of products before.
Update:
The product page now officially says the sets are “SOLD OUT”!
I called constantly for nearly three hours on two phones before I got through.
Hey guys, I believe I was able to get a confirmed order around 2:30pm pacific and have a shipment date of the 11th. I feel terrible that many of you collectors may be missing out on the oppurtunity to get your coins because the Mint refuses to upgrade their website and phone service to a point that accomedates such a surge of ordering. I would be willing to make a trade for one of my 5 sets if anyone feels they don’t wish to pay the rediculous mark-ups from greedy secondary sharks. Email me if you have something to offer… Read more »
I’m stilll a little confused regarding my order….maybe someone here can verify. I checked my track order today. My order status is “Your order request is on hold”. The item status is:” 5 units backordered”. Expected to ship on 11/13/2011.
There is no mention of a “waiting list”.
Mine status says hold too. Does that mean I am on the waiting list? I ordered at 4:05. Nothing was said about being on a waiting list. Also it says it is backordered and will ship November 12.
John
on hold means that they have not begun to process your order. All orders are on hold till they can verify all orders place do not violate HH limits. Once they do this they start processing first in first out, that qualify (did not order more then they should have, CC works, etc.) I would say call mint to find out or the best guess is that if your order is anytime after 4:30 5:00pm eastern time you are on a wait-list.
John and Stephanie, from my past experience with the Mint if you got an email with a purchase order and in the mint tracking have a shipped date then you are good to go. You will receive your order. Those on the waiting list actually will get an email stating that their orders are on “waiting list”. Congrats to both of you for getting your set(s)…… this set will be one of the most sought after set if the mintage hold at 100, 000 for both the reverse and “S” silver. I didn’t get in with the Mint so I… Read more »
I saw that I L McDougal’s post in regard to offering one of his set for a very reasonable price… I hope (YOU) I L McDougal still have the set or you already offered to someone yesterday…. I understand that this offer would not last longer than minute but heck I will make it known anyway just in case I get luckier with I L than the Mint. Let me know….
Gary, thanks for the clarification.
And remember, if you’re going to get these graded by NGC, etc., they must be shipped to them in an unopened, sealed box to prove they were all part of the set. NGC will return your mint packaging to you for a modest fee when you request it.
Well Golly Gee Thanks for the opportunity you silly rascals but due to frenzy gorging of FIVE sets per order for many, the greed miser missed out. Hey, just an idea, hint, hint, try not to purge the shelfs so collectors can collect. who collects “five sets” any way? not trying to run the show here but start out with one or two per order per household to give some collector folks who might like to have “A” set at mint price a chance. Sorry, but I won’t be paying the shameful mark-ups I will be patient and perhaps get… Read more »
I may have or may have not stated this before. For a product so massively anticipated and desired by the collecting public and combine with that the 19th century ordering system(s) that the mint uses, it really comes down to the luck of the draw similar to buying the lottery ticket at the local corner shop. When dealing with the U.S. mint, it’s customers cannot be guaranteed to receive any of the products it produces thus far into the 21st century. Except for unique items, I’ll normally make numismatic purchases at the coin shop. I believe patience is key here.… Read more »
I am a collector, although I basically collect what I like and not what they may be worth down the road, this set really made me wonder if anyone is really a collector anymore. It seems that even before this set, alot of emphasis on value was placed and not the actual coins. I am not even close to an expert, but to me the whole grading process actually degrades the hobby and places huge inflated values on coins. Please advise your opinions on this. I can not believe how much these are going for on ebay, hobbyist buying them… Read more »
It will be interesting to see if the 3rd Party Graders try and charge a premium “first strike” label for these sets. Really? Are they all not “first strike” since they sold out the first day.
GREGORY @ 2:39 I completely second your opinion. My set will remain in OGP. The coin forums are just inundated with viral posts on potential profits – a sad reality for coin collecting these days. I want to hold, look, and enjoy owning this unique set.
I wish I was one of you guys that were able to buy a set. I tried for several hours on the phone and internet without any success. I was going to order a set of 5 coins, but by the time my order went through it had gone to the waiting list and later canceled. I refuse to pay additional money on the secondary market. Will wait for the 30th Anniversary set. I might have better luck.
3 grand for 5 sets!! People selling before they actually have them…So, a guy at work offered me 600 for it, paid 299….tough to turn down!! But I will!!!
I’m very much an amateur collector, as evidenced by the fact that I missed out on the Indian head silver dollar years back, and now this interesting set. While it’s highly unlikely anyone is going to sell their 25th anniversary set for what they paid, I suppose there might be some of you out there. If so, please e-mail me. Regards, Rick
just wondering did anyone else received a letter from the us mint to confirm there order for the set??? i ordered from the us mint before and this is the first time i have receive a letter?
I have a “””confirmed order number””””, now I received E-MAIL from the mint stating that at this point the best that they can confirm is that I am on the waiting list!!
I placed my order on October 27th at around 8:30pm and I did not get a message about any waiting list. I received an order number and when i go in now and check that order it still states that 3 units backordered. Expected to ship on 11/23/2011. now today I received an email from the US Mint Dear United States Mint Customer, Thank you so much for your interest in the American Eagle 25th Anniversary Silver Coin Set. Due to overwhelming demand, the product reached its production limit in sales quickly and the United States Mint accepted a limited… Read more »
have seen the Reverse Proof by it’s self sell for over $400 on eBay. And one guy even paid $3999.99 for 5 sets. Both of these sales were made in the last 30 days, according to eBay, completed auctions, serch results. I have also see the “S” coin go for close to $390 by it’s self. And the other 3 coins go for close to $300 by themselves with the case and COA. If you do the math, that’s over $1000 per five coin set, if you break them up. I would be thrilled to sell my 1 extra set… Read more »
Today as of 11-15-11 my order from the mint says in stock and reserved, my card has been charged, I thought for sure that I would not get my set because it has been a little over 2 weeks since the sale and it took me a little over 4 hours to get mine ordered, but I got it. My order number begins with 3837 and it went thru today.
As of today 11-17, I got me set, the mint sent it Ups Next Day Air and I had to sign for it. The package is a medium size box and it would be very easy to open it and seal it back up without the grading companies knowing, the mint used regular clear tape to close the box, we have this same tape where I work.
Steve:
We received the same box by UPS, one day shipping, with no signature required. However, ii appears you may work where they us ‘tape’. Knowing this, it would be somewhat difficult to remove the tape, without noticing fibers missing, almost impossible. If you intend to re-apply tape over existing tape, no grading service will miss this facet. This is the initial step. No third graders here. Good Luck!