Based on the recent direction of precious metals, another series of prices increases is more likely than not for certain United States Mint commemorative and collector gold coins.
Unlike prices for investment-grade bullion coins that change based on the latest value of the precious metal they contain, United States Mint commemorative and gold coins produced for collectors may have their prices adjusted up to once a week. For a second straight week, it appears those prices will be increased on Wednesday.
[Editor’s update: The United States Mint did in fact raise coin prices on Wednesday to the prices shown below.]
Last week prices were raised on more than a dozen U.S. gold coins when the London Fix average for the yellow metal between Thursday, October 27, and Wednesday, November 3, moved up within $1,700.00 and $1,749.99 an ounce. While tomorrow’s (Wednesday) AM fixing must still be taken into account based on the Mint’s pricing policy, the average is currently well within a higher range between $1,750.00 and $1,799.99 an ounce. That calls for the following price adjustments:
Potential US Mint Prices for Commemorative and Collector Gold Coins
| US Mint Product | Old Price | Potential Price | Price Increase |
| Uncirculated First Spouse Coins | $1,016.00 | $1,041.00 | $25.00 |
| Proof First Spouse Coins | $1,029.00 | $1,054.00 | $25.00 |
| American Gold Buffalo | $2,010.00 | $2,060.00 | $50.00 |
| 1 oz Uncirculated Gold Eagle | $1,978.00 | $2,028.00 | $50.00 |
| 1/2 oz Proof Eagle | $1,006.00 | $1,031.00 | $25.00 |
| 1/4 oz Proof Eagle | $515.50 | $528.00 | $12.50 |
| 1/10 oz Proof Eagle | $220.50 | $225.50 | $5.00 |
| Proof Gold Eagle 4-Coin Set | $3,678.00 | $3,770.50 | $92.50 |
| U.S. Army $5 Commemorative Coins – Proof | $522.15 | $534.30 | $12.15 |
| U.S. Army $5 Commemorative Coins – Uncirculated | $512.15 | $524.30 | $12.15 |
| U.S. Medal of Honor $5 Commemorative Coins – Proof | $522.15 | $534.30 | $12.15 |
| U.S. Medal of Honor $5 Commemorative Coins – Uncirculated | $512.15 | $524.30 | $12.15 |
For prices to remain unchanged, the Wednesday AM Fix would have to fall well below $1,700 an ounce or the directional PM fixing would need to drop below $1,750. Spot prices for the precious metal topped the $1,800 an ounce marker as of this writing, suggesting both scenarios are unlikely.
When the United States Mint adjusts coin prices, it will typically freeze online ordering of the affected products for 30-60 minutes. The process usually begins between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
Last week the Mint also raised the price of the 2011-W Proof American Platinum Eagle by $100 as platinum moved higher into the $1,550.00 to $1,649.99 an ounce range. Platinum remains steadily within that same bracket, making a Platinum Eagle price increase extremely unlikely.
The United States Mint first introduced its weekly pricing methodology for platinum and collector gold coins in January 2009. Its weekly pricing guide for commemoratives was added in August 2011.
If U.S. Mint increases price of gold coins again, this a beginning of real hyper-inflation!