Silver American Eagle Bullion Coin Sales Figures (1986-2009)

The silver bullion eagles were intended for investment purposes, as there are collector versions minted with the exact same design. However, these coins are struck specifically for numismatic appeal (in proof and uncirculated conditions), have lower mintages, and carry the West Point "W" mintmark. And like all United States Mint bullion coins, the Mint does not sell them directly to the public, but instead to authorized purchasers. These dealers then resell the coins around the world.

Silver eagle demand is at an all time high. Due to a limited coin blank supply, the Mint in March suspended collector silver eagles and is only producing the bullion option. The US Mint said it would "resume the American Eagle Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coin Programs once sufficient inventories of silver bullion blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American Eagle Silver Coin products." On June 15, the Mint ended eagle rationing, suggesting inventory was improved.

However, on Oct. 6, 2009, the Mint announced it would not produce the 2009 collector coins due to "unprecedented demand" for the bullion versions and its legal requirement to produce them to meet such demand. For the entire story, read how the proof and uncirculated 2009 Silver Eagle Coins are canceled.

The Mint once again suspended 2009 bullion eagles on Nov. 25 as a result of a depleted inventory. On Friday, Dec. 4, it announced sales would resume on the following Monday, but in an allocated process. That day, Dec. 7, the US Mint reported another 1,012,500 silver eagles were sold.

Here are the latest sales figures by month for the bullion 2009 versions:

*The Mint has been on a blistering production pace for 2009. As of Dec. 14 there has been a total of 27,679,500 American Eagle Silver Bullion coins minted. Check back weekly for updated figures.