US Mint Sales: Debuting Products Spur Coin Buying

Three debuting products helped excite U.S. Mint sales as buyers were awakened from their summer slumber.

Releases of the Making American History Coin and Currency Set, the 2012-W Proof American Platinum Eagle and circulating quality 2012-S Acadia quarters expanded collectors’ interest as 78 U.S. Mint products outperformed their previous week-over-week sales. The seven days of expanded sales was the second best showing this year — right behind the end of June when gold and silver coins were on fire.

Each of the three debuting products scored an entry on the Mint’s top-ten list:

U.S. Mint Top Selling Collector Products of the Week

1. Making American History Coin & Currency Set (+24,130)
2. 2012 Proof Set (+12,522 to 493,418)
3. 2012 Uncirculated Silver Eagles (+11,303 to 135,104)
4. 2012 Silver Proof Set (+5,563 to 276,803)
5. 2012 Mint Uncirculated Coin Set (+4,915 to 273,742)
6. 2012 Proof Silver Eagles (+4,632 to 552,726)
7. 2012-S Acadia Quarter Rolls (+3,429)
8. 2012-S Acadia Quarter Bags (+2,761)
9. 2012 Presidential $1 Coin Proof Set (+2,518 to 195,163)
10. 2012 American Eagle Platinum Proof (+2,461)

The number of older U.S. Mint products with sales increases of more than 1,000 units rose to nine. Last week’s reported amount was seven.

Sales Debut of 2012-S Acadia Quarters in Circulation Quality

Starting sales for circulating quality Acadia quarters from San Francisco with the "S" mint mark totaled 413,260. Product splits were 3,429 for the 40-coin rolls and 2,761 for 100-coin bags.

These circulating quality 2012-S quarters are the third of five within a new series under experiment this year. 2012-S El Yunque quarters were first with opening sales of 614,700 and 2012-S Chaco Culture quarters came second, logging a sales debut of 484,860.

Upcoming "S" Mint quarters include those honoring Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Denali National Park. There has not been U.S. Mint news to indicate whether these types of quarters will continue beyond 2012.

Sales Debut of Making American History Coin and Currency Set

Beginning sales for the Making American History Coin and Currency Set totaled 24,130. The amount represents 48% of the initial production total of 50,000 and 24% of the possible 100,000.

Celebrating the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s 150th anniversary and the U.S. Mint’s 220th year in service, the set contains a Series 2009 $5 note, with a serial number beginning with "150," and a 2012-S Proof Silver Eagle.

For more on the Making American History Coin and Currency Set sales debut, read this coin news article.

Sales Debut of 2012-W Proof American Platinum Eagle

Opening sales for the 2012-W Proof Platinum Eagle came to 2,461, which is the weakest start in the six-year "Preamble Series." The coin’s reverse features the To Provide for the Common Defence theme.

This proof Platinum Eagle series kicked off in 2009 and features annually changing reverses until 2014. Past sales starts in the series were:

• 2011 To Insure Domestic Tranquility American Platinum Eagle at 6,786
• 2010 To Establish Justice American Platinum Eagle at 8,268 and
• 2009 To Form a More Perfect Union American Platinum Eagle at 7,207

One factor that may have affected this year’s starting sales is the timing of the release. While other precious metals advanced last week, platinum stood by itself with a 1% weekly loss. Some collectors may be holding off on a purchase hoping for a price reduction. If the average price for platinum between today (August 16) and next Wednesday (August 22) retreats to within $1,250.00 to $1,349.99 an ounce, the Eagle’s price would fall by $100 to $1,592.00.

For more on the 2012-W Proof Platinum Eagle sales debut, read this coin news article.

2011-W Proof American Platinum Eagle Sells Out

In related coin news, the 2011-W Proof American Platinum Eagle sold out Wednesday, August 15. Its last reported sales figure was 14,836.

This year’s and last year’s Platinum Eagle have published maximum mintages of 15,000.

New U.S. Mint Product Sales

Introduced on Tuesday was the 2012-P Acadia National Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin. Released on Thursday are 2012 Benjamin Harrison Presidential $1 coins in bags, rolls, and boxes. These products will appear in next week’s U.S. Mint sales reports.

Read this coin news article for brief details about each of the new products.

US Coin Sales: Bullion Coin Products

Demand for a second straight week weakened some for U.S. Mint bullion coins. The following table offers a breakdown with the latest U.S. Mint bullion coin sales figures. The most recent seven-day sales period covers through to Wednesday, August 15, 2012.

*The 5 oz. totals are for the coins sold by design, and include sales from 2011.

The following tables provide the latest totals for US Mint numismatic clad, gold and silver products as of Monday, August 13, 2012.

US Coin Sales: Numismatic Products

*NLA – No Longer Available.