Collectors and investors waiting anxiously for the release of the 2010 American Eagle Gold Bullion Fractional Coins only have a few more days to wait according to the US Mint.
The Mint indicated in a statement that the coins would be released on June 10, 2010 to its network of authorized purchasers. Those unfamiliar with the Mint's policy on bullion coins may not know that it does not sell the coins directly to the public, but instead uses a network of buyers which purchases the coins in larger volumes, then resells the strikes to coin dealers and individuals for a small premium over the current spot price of the gold contained within them.
The one ounce 2010 Gold Eagles have been available since January 19th and have been setting records since that date. However, the fractional Eagles have not been seen since the 2009 version sold out in December of last year. Due to unprecedented demand for precious metal bullion from the Mint, the coins were only actually available for a few days before reaching that sell-out status.
Previous to their 2009 debut, the Mint was directing all available gold into the production of its one ounce bullion pieces to try and meet demand. It was able to build up an inventory of fractional blanks, however, to allow the December release of the coins which normally would be available most of the year.
In just the few days in which the fractionals were available in 2009, more of them were sold than in the entire previous year. In total, 110,000 of the 1/2 ounce Eagles were sold, 110,000 of the 1/4 ounce and 270,000 of the 1/10 ounce.
Unlike the numismatic pieces produced by the Mint, these bullion coins are struck as devices to allow individuals an affordable investment option in precious metals. However, collectors have also take quite an interest in the pieces.
For more information on the Gold Eagles, see World Mint's America Eagle Gold Bullion page.
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