US Mint Direct Sales are an Important Coin Market Performance

Direct sales from the US Mint to both retail and wholesale clients are an important indicator of the performance of the overall coin market. The January sales figure of 4.9 million 2024 Silver American Eagle bullion coins is significant, this being an increase from 3.949 million pieces sold during the same month one year earlier. (These are the coins that have not been burnished.) 

It’s interesting to notice that despite the recent appreciation in the spot price of gold, January sales of 2024 $50 American Buffalo gold one-ounce coins was 46,000 pieces, down from the 59,000 sold during the same month one year earlier. This might be a reason for the 2024 American Buffalo coins to have a future premium value on secondary markets. 

In comparison, January sales of $50 Gold American Eagle one-ounce coins totaled 84,000 pieces. Sales of like coins during 2023 totaled 924,000 coins or an average of 77,000 pieces per month. The mint also released figures indicating it sold 12,700 .9995 fine platinum $100 American Eagle coins during 2023, down from 80,000 pieces sold one year earlier. Once again, this mintage could indicate there will be a premium value on the 2023 issue. 

At the time this commentary was being written, the mint had not announced how many bullion coins it projected to make during 2024. The mint makes a sizeable profit from many of its products. Direct current defibrillator inventor Bernard Lown dollar coins to be issued May 16 will sell for $34.50 for a $25 face value roll, while a $100 face value roll will be offered for $117.50. Recent sales records indicate 1,833 100-coin bags of 2024-P Dr. Pauli Murray quarters selling for a face value profit totaling $36,660 and 1,628 100-coin bags of 2024-D quarters earning $32,560 in face value profits. Seigniorage profits are in addition to these numbers.