Late last week, the United States Mint provided updates to its authorized bullion purchasers regarding the status of 2009 American Silver Eagle and 2009 American Gold Eagle bullion coins, and some details related to ordering 2010-dated coins.Late last year, amidst a resurgence in demand for gold and silver bullion coins, the US Mint announced that they would continue to produce 2009-dated bullion coins until the end of the year. Typically, the US Mint will produce coins bearing the following year's date in the closing months of the year. This enables them to begin accepting orders for the new coins in December for delivery in early January. By producing coins bearing the older date through year end, the time tables were pushed forward.
Until the US Mint could begin accepting orders for the 2010-dated coins, they would continue selling the 2009-dated coins as long as inventory existed. According the recent memo provided to authorized purchasers, the remaining inventory of 2009 Silver Eagle bullion coins was depleted as of January 13, 2010. This means that no silver bullion coins have been available during a brief window of time ending tomorrow. The US Mint will begin accepting orders from authorized purchasers for the 2010 Silver Eagle bullion coins beginning on January 19, 2010.
While the 2009 Silver Eagles are gone, a sizable number of 2009 Gold Eagles remain. As of January 13, 2010, the US Mint had approximately 51,000 of the one ounce gold bullion coins remaining in their inventory. According to the US Mint memo, if an inventory still remains when the US Mint begins accepting orders for 2010 Gold Eagle bullion coins on January 19, authorized purchasers will be required to purchase coins on a 3-to-1 basis. This means that for every three 2010 Gold Eagles ordered, they will be required to purchase one 2009 Gold Eagle. This "3-to-1" basis will remain in effect until the inventory of older coins is depleted.
Source: news.coinupdate.com
