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.
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.
In October 2009, they officially announced that the 2009 Proof Silver Eagle and 2009 Uncirculated Silver Eagle would not be issued. The Mint cited their legal obligation to produce bullion coins and stated that they would work with precious metals blanks suppliers to attempt to increase supply, so that more coins could be produced in 2010.
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. - 32532
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.
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.
In October 2009, they officially announced that the 2009 Proof Silver Eagle and 2009 Uncirculated Silver Eagle would not be issued. The Mint cited their legal obligation to produce bullion coins and stated that they would work with precious metals blanks suppliers to attempt to increase supply, so that more coins could be produced in 2010.
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. - 32532
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Looking to find more information on the 2010 Silver Eagle, then visit www.silvereagleguide.com to find all the details on coins of the Silver Eagle coin series.
