Sales of the United States Mint's fractional 2010 American Gold Eagle bullion coins are off to a brisk start, but the initial sales failed to match the torrid pace set by last year's offering.
The fractional Gold Eagles are available in one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce sizes. Typically, these coins are offered along side the larger one ounce sized coins throughout the year. During the past two years, the production and release of the fractional weight coins has been delayed in order to allow the US Mint to focus production on the one ounce coins. Last year, fractional Gold Eagles were not available until December 3, 2009. This year, sales of the fractional coins began on June 10, 2010.
After just one day of availability, the fractional 2009 Gold Eagles had sold 56,000 one-half ounce coins, 58,000 one-quarter ounce coins, and 260,000 one-tenth ounce coins. This made for a total gold bullion weight of 68,500 ounces.
Through June 13, 2010, the fractional 2010 Gold Eagles have sold 28,000 one-half ounce coins, 42,000 one-quarter ounce coins, and 240,000 one-tenth ounce coins. The combined gold bullion weight of these sales is 48,500 ounces.
It should be noted that the slower pace of sales this year may be the impact of gold bullion rationing, rather than reduced demand. When the US Mint announced the impending release of fractional Gold Eagles, they stated that orders from authorized purchasers would be subject to the standard allocation process.
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