Shortly before its scheduled launching, the United States Mint announced that it postponed the release of the 2.5-ounce U.S. Air Force Silver Medal.
The U.S. Mint stated that the projected demand for the product — the first from its Armed Forces Silver Medal Program which celebrates the five branches of the military — surpasses its supply. The Mint noted the delayed release will provide time to improve its online ordering system for high-demand products, but added it would still be unable to meet the demand for the medal.
"Not everyone will be able to purchase this medal," the Mint said.
The U.S. Mint’s entire statement follows:
U.S. Mint Delays Release of United States Mint Air Force Silver Medal
The U.S. Mint today announced that it will delay the release of the United States Mint Air Force Silver Medal, originally scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, until mid-July.
The total number of "Remind Me" email/text notifications received by the Mint indicates that demand for the Mint’s Air Force 2.5 Ounce Silver Medal — the first in its new Armed Forces Silver Medal Series — will exceed inventory, as the projected demand is greater than supply.
Other recent silver product offerings have resulted in an extraordinarily high volume of BOT traffic. These BOTs were programmed to conduct technology-driven transactions which interfered with the transactions of many Mint customers.
The Mint has identified a solution that is expected to mitigate most of the issues caused by BOT traffic. We are working diligently to put that solution in place, as it will enable our website to function more smoothly. Even this robust effort to improve product access remains limited by demand, which continues to outpace our supply of silver blanks. As a result, not everyone will be able to purchase this medal.
A one-ounce version of the Air Force Silver Medal (SAF1) will be available next year, and customers may now request "Remind Me" notifications for that medal.
I’m retired Air Force and my wife was also in the Air Force (13 years). I’ve been waiting for 2 years go get this. The Mint just keeps pushing it back and pushing it back. It was listed late last night as going on sale today. I was planning on sitting right at the computer at noon to get one. I woke up this morning and it had been yanked off the site. What in the world is going on at the Mint? Between this and the Morgan situation, it seems like nobody competent is in charge over there. Maybe… Read more »
Know how to keep a Turkey in suspense? The Mint will tell you later ….
It’s this “woke” govt with incompetent people!
This is actually the second time this U.S. Air Force medal has been postponed on the Mint’s schedule this year. And the Mint did not even have the mintage listed till Friday at 10,000 medals at $160 each with a household limit of 1 medal. It does NOT have a Mint mark on it & it is NOT a Proof, just an uncirculated matte finish. It’s very highly overpriced with silver under $26 an ounce!
NumisdudeTX
I still think the jump on Presidential bronze medals was a bit extreme. You know what makes bronze, tin and copper. That’s highway robbery!
That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. The demand is too high? Then why did they go from an unlimited mintage to 10,000? Boy oh boy, the Mint is rapidly going straight down the toilet.
When it was given a release date there was no mintage limit on the post. That only showed up when it was put on the TBA list.
I have just about given up on collecting from the USMint. My late husband was an Air Force retiree and I have looked forward to getting this medal to go in a display of his medals and awards. Seems that is not going to happen. This is not my first disappointment with lack of product availability from the mint but it just may be my final disappointment with them.
Connie C. Scarrow –
If you cannot get one from the U.S. Mint, try this…The U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which I toured, has a major, large gift shop on their property. Maybe their gift shop buyer will get some in stock at some point. Look them up on their website. I am an Air Force/NSA brat of 20 years… Good Luck to you!
NumisdudeTX
This medal may have sold out. At least everyone that wanted one had a chance.