1986-2011 Gold American Eagle Bullion Coin Sales Figures

The one-ounce 2011 Gold American Eagle bullion coin was released by the US Mint on January 3, 2011. The fractional 2011-dated sizes were issued in March 2011. The United States Mint launched the Gold Eagle series in 1986. Their annual production is authorized by law (Public Law 99-61). In fact, the US Mint is mandated to strike the bullion eagles every year “in quantities and qualities sufficient to meet public demand.”

The dynamic chart shows US Mint coin sales figures for all the 22 karat denominations — 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz — from 1986 to the latest weekly released 2011 sales figures.

*1986-2009 figures are "Year-Dated" coins sold, as provided by the United States Mint. Since 2010 sales will not get finalized until later in 2011 and 2011 sales figure not until January 2012, both years of data include total Gold Eagles sold during a month as provided in US Mint unaudited weekly sales reports.

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2011 Gold American Eagle Bullion Coin Sales Figures

1 oz 1/2 oz 1/4 oz 1/10 oz
January* 130,500 1,000 2,000 20,000
February 72,500 12,000 16,000 100,000
March 40,000 4,000 10,000 25,000
April - - - -
May - - - -
June - - - -
July - - - -
August - - - -
September - - - -
October - - - -
November - - - -
December - - - -
Total 243,500 17,000 28,000 145,000
 

A total of 433,000 Gold Eagles containing 273,000 ounces of .9167 fine gold have been sold this year as of March 18, 2011.

Gold American Eagle Bullion Coin Information

Although the gold bullion eagles have the same design as their collector proof and uncirculated counterparts, by law the U.S. Mint strikes them for investments purposes and, as such, modern pieces are valued strongly for their bullion content. They can often be purchased for a small amount over the price of the current day's gold spot price.

The bullion American Gold Eagles do not have the West Point "W" mint mark, do not have limited mintages -- worldwide demand dictates production levels, and they lack other tangible assets inherent in the collector proof and uncirculated pieces. Nevertheless, they are sought for both investment and numismatic purposes. Collectors acquire them for the same reasons they collect circulating coins that were struck for daily commerce.

The US Mint also does not sell bullion coins directly to the public as it does with its collector products, like the proof and uncirculated American Eagles. The coins are instead distributed through a network of authorized dealers who then resell them to anyone interested.

Recent Gold American Eagle History

Demand was exceptionally strong for gold eagles in 2009. So much so that through the year there were several suspensions and the Mint allocated supplies. Also interestingly, the US Mint focused only on producing the 1 oz size for most of the year. That changed on Oct, 6, 2009, when the Mint announced it would strike "fractional 2009 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins in the one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce weights" on December 3. At the same time, it said it would not produce any collector proof or uncirculated 2009 Gold Eagles. For more on this story, read 2009 Gold & Silver Eagles Canceled.

As a final telling point on demand, the US Mint for the first time ever continued their production very late into 2009 and extended their sales into 2010. (It sold a total 51,000 of the 2009-dated one ounce eagles in early 2010.) Normally it stops current year production around November to begin striking new year coins, relying on existing inventory to hold them through until those new coins are released.

Demand slowed in 2010 for the 22 karat gold pieces as compared to the previous year, although there was a spike in May through July that was helped by the launch of the fractional Gold Eagles on June 10, 2010. In the end, annual sales (in ounces) did top 1.2 million, marking their sixth best year ever.

As mentioned, the 2011 Gold American Eagle bullion coins have already been released. In addition, the US Mint has announced an April 21, 2001 issue date for the collector 2011 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin and a May 5, 2011 release for the collector 2011 American Eagle Uncirculated Gold Coin.

Gold American Eagle Coin Design

The obverse (heads side) design for American Gold Eagle coins is a duplicate of that first seen on the 1907 $20 Double Eagle by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. It portrays the mythical figure Liberty walking towards the future along with the inscription LIBERTY and the year.

The reverse (tails side) design, by Mrs. Miley Frances Busiek, depicts "Family of Eagles" motif, symbolizing family tradition and unity. Inscriptions for the one-ounce size include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, 50 DOLLARS and 1 OZ. FINE GOLD. The other fractions size bears the same inscriptions, but with varying dollar and fine gold amounts.

Gold Eagle Coin Specifications

The following are the specification for the bullion American Gold Eagle Coins:

   Mint: United States Mint
   Mint Mark: None
   Finish/Condition: Circulated
   Metal Content: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, and 5.33% copper
   Gross Weight: 33.93 g, 16.965 g, 8.483 g, 3.393 g
   Fine Weight: 1 oz, 1/2. oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz
   Diameter: 32.7 mm, 27 mm, 22 mm, 16.5 mm
   Thickness: 2.87 mm, 2.15 mm, 1.78 mm, 1.26 mm
   Edge: Reeded
   Mintage Limit: Based on demand
   Face Value: $50, $25, $10 and $5
   Obverse Designer: Augustus Saint-Gaudens
   Reverse Designer: Mrs. Miley Frances Busiek

For more information on the coins, also check out the United States Mint Web site at http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/?action=american_eagles.