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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Demand for Silver Causes Problems for Collectors

By Dylan Chase

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 collector coins are sold directly by the United States Mint. Recent offerings have consisted of a proof version of the coin, which features frosted raised elements and mirrored background elements to produce a cameo effect. These high quality strikes are sold at a premium price. A second offering is the collectible uncirculated coin. These are struck on specially burnished blanks and carry a "W" mint mark to signify mintage at West Point.

The United States Mint has often cited their legal requirements to produce the bullion coins in quantities which will fulfill the full demand of the public. They have also noted the fact that they are under no legal obligation to produce coins for collectors. As a result, in times of limited precious metals supply, the US Mint has focused their production solely on the bullion version of the coin.

The United States Mint announced in October 2009 that they were officially canceling the 2009 Proof Silver Eagle and 2009 Uncirculated Silver Eagle. The reason cited was the often quoted sections of the law, which require the production of bullion coins in quantities to meet public demand. As consolation, the Mint stated that they hoped to resume production of collector coins in 2010 if they could increase the supply of precious metals blanks.

Recently, the American Silver Eagle bullion coins were suspended after the US Mint's inventory became depleted. The coins were offered a week later, but under a rationing program. This program limits the number of coins that authorized purchasers can order. Since the US Mint is not fulfilling the full public demand the status of the 2010 collectible versions is one again in question. - 23221

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