The American Gold Eagle is on the wing, maintaining its flight at higher heights. Its March performance is not yet officially out but early in the middle of the month the market was agog with the prospect that the Gold Eagle will make March the third best month ever for the American Gold Eagle. Mid-March sales reached almost 40,000. January sales reached 85,000 and February sales stood at 84,000.
The Gold Eagle is one of the most popular gold coins in the world and most sought after by collectors and investors. It is in 22 karats, 91.67% pure. It comes in four denominations: 1 troy oz. with $50 face valued, 1/2 troy oz. with $25 face value, 1/4 troy oz. with $10 face value and 1/10 troy oz. with $5 face value.
The Gold Eagle was introduced for circulation in 1986 some 33 years after the original Gold Eagle was pulled out of circulation. In the very first year 1,787,750 ounces were sold. The year 1986 is so far the third best year for the Gold Eagle, surpassed only by 1999 with 2,055,500 ounces sold and 1998 with 1,839,500 ounces.
There was no drama of significance during the first eight years of the decade 2000-2009. The drama suddenly came during the last two years. Sales in 2008 jumped to 860,000 ounces from 198,500 in 2007. Sales jumped further to 1,425,000 in 2009.
The 2009 sales consisted of 1 troy oz. 1,315,500; 1/2 troy oz. 110,000; 1/4 troy oz. 110,000; and 1/10 troy oz. 270,000.
YEAR SALES IN OUNCES YEARLY CHANGE (%)
2000 164,500 (3.28) -
2001 325,000 (6.48) 160,500 (97.57)
2002 315,000 (6.28) -10,000 (-3.08 )
2003 484,500 (9.65) 169,500 (53.81)
2004 536,000 (11.22) 51,500 (10.63)
2005 449,000 (8.95) -87,000 (-16.23)
2006 261,000 (5,20) -188,000 (-41.87)
2007 198,500 (3.95) -62,500 (-23.95)
2008 860,500 (17.14) 661,500 (233.25)
2009 1,425,000 (28,39) 564,500 (65.60)
TOTAL 5,019,000 (100) -
Ronald Stevens
