Even as central banks buy more gold than ever, coin premiums have been driven lower throughout the retail precious metals market. One of the big factors: is disappointing sales from the US Mint.
Last year’s surge in demand for investment gold and silver continued into January if sales at the US Mint are any indication.
American Gold Eagle bullion coin sales were up 455% in 2020 and the selling continued through the first month of 2021. The mint called the current market demand for precious metals coins “exceptional.”
With all of the economic chaos and uncertainty spurred by the government lockdowns in response to coronavirus, the demand for physical gold and physical silver has skyrocketed. That has put a significant squeeze on the supply of gold bullion products.
That squeeze is about to get tighter.
We’ve been saying gold and silver are on sale. Well, it appears investors are taking advantage of the bargain.
The sale of American Gold Eagle coins surged in September, according to the latest data from the US Mint. Investors snapped up 60,500 ounces of Gold Eagle bullion coins in various denominations. That compares with just 35,500 ounces in August — a 41% increase.
Gold sales at Australia’s Perth Mint rose to their highest level in nearly a year in August as investors took advantage of gold on sale.
According to the mint, sales of gold coins and minted bars surged 30% to 38,904 ounces last month. It was the strongest month of gold sales since November 2017. Sales were nearly doubled from a year ago, according to the mint.
“Lower bullion prices continued to support interest in our minted products among investors,” a company spokesman said.
