Status of American Silver Eagles in Question for 2010
The United States Mint has issued the American Silver Eagle coins since 1986. The one ounce silver coins are issued in two different versions for both precious metals investors and coin collectors. Last year the high demand for precious metals caused the cancellation of the collector versions. The situation has continued, bringing doubts to the status of the 2010 collector coins.
The US Mint issues the bullion versions of the coin to a network of authorized purchasers. These large scale bullion buyers purchase the coins for a price based on the spot price of silver plus a mark up. The coins are then resold to other bullion dealers, coin dealers, and the public at market prices.
The American Silver Eagle collector coins have recently been offered in two different versions, proof or uncirculated. The proof coins feature a cameo like appearance created through a specialized minting process. The raised design elements are frosted and the background fields are mirrored. The uncirculated coins are struck on burnished blanks and carry the "W" mint mark for West Point.
Legally, the United States Mint is required to produce the bullion coins in quantities sufficient to meet full public demand. Unfortunately, there is no such legal requirement to produce the collector versions of the coins. Due to the limited number of precious metals blanks, the US Mint was forced to prioritize the production of the bullion coins.
An official announcement was made in October 2009 that the US Mint would not be producing the collector versions of the American Silver Eagle for 2009. The reason cited was the legal obligations which favor the production of bullion coins. The US Mint announced that they were working to secure greater supplies of precious metals in the future, so that hopefully production of collector coins could resume.
The US Mint was recently forced to suspend the sale of silver bullion coins amidst another surge in demand. Sales to authorized purchasers were resumed shortly thereafter, but under an allocation program, which limited the number of coins that could be purchased. Collectors are hoping that the US Mint can reverse the situation soon so that the 2010 collector coins may be produced. - 23199
The US Mint issues the bullion versions of the coin to a network of authorized purchasers. These large scale bullion buyers purchase the coins for a price based on the spot price of silver plus a mark up. The coins are then resold to other bullion dealers, coin dealers, and the public at market prices.
The American Silver Eagle collector coins have recently been offered in two different versions, proof or uncirculated. The proof coins feature a cameo like appearance created through a specialized minting process. The raised design elements are frosted and the background fields are mirrored. The uncirculated coins are struck on burnished blanks and carry the "W" mint mark for West Point.
Legally, the United States Mint is required to produce the bullion coins in quantities sufficient to meet full public demand. Unfortunately, there is no such legal requirement to produce the collector versions of the coins. Due to the limited number of precious metals blanks, the US Mint was forced to prioritize the production of the bullion coins.
An official announcement was made in October 2009 that the US Mint would not be producing the collector versions of the American Silver Eagle for 2009. The reason cited was the legal obligations which favor the production of bullion coins. The US Mint announced that they were working to secure greater supplies of precious metals in the future, so that hopefully production of collector coins could resume.
The US Mint was recently forced to suspend the sale of silver bullion coins amidst another surge in demand. Sales to authorized purchasers were resumed shortly thereafter, but under an allocation program, which limited the number of coins that could be purchased. Collectors are hoping that the US Mint can reverse the situation soon so that the 2010 collector coins may be produced. - 23199
About the Author:
Learn more about the American Silver Eagle. Keep up to date with the latest information about the status of the 2010 Silver Eagle.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home