Why Is The US Mint Is Still Selling 2009 Gold Eagles? Get The Facts Directly At Gold-Eagle.org

February 26, 2010 – After deciding to continue minting 2009 Gold Eagles until the end of the year, the US Mint is still selling the nearly 51,000 that remained when the 2010s were issued on January 19th. After forcing buyers to accept one 2009 for every three 2010, the Mint is ending February with a remaining balance of about 10,000 of these coins.

Although the coins are technically the same, many investors prefer to purchase the coins from the current year as the date changes. This means that buyers are currently only able to do so with 75% of the new bullion that they purchase.

American Gold Eagle coins represent an important part of the bullion market. For 2009, the US sold 1.425 million ounces of gold bullion and more than 1.8 million coins including the fractional pieces. So far in 2010, there have been 165,000 Eagles sold, all of which are the one ounce size since the Mint decided not to issue fractional size this year.

Gold sales have been very active recently, with prices climbing throughout February to push totals to a one percent gain for the year. Bullion is used by many investors as a short-term investment, holding it for up to 12 to 15 months, and then selling for a profit as spot prices rise. While most investors do not certified new bullion, American Gold Eagle coins are preferred because the US government guarantees their weight and purity to be accurate.

While technically the same, the decision to force sales of 2009 Gold Eagles may be slowing bullion leaving the Mint. For the year, only 165,000 coins have been sold, compared to 205,500 coins last year. Investors who only wish to purchase 2010s should look to a gold exchange to get the coins they want. 

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Joshua Harris

Senior Staff Writer - Gold-Eagle.org