The United States Mint’s bullion coin program experienced declines in both sales volume and revenue during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014. Sales volume fell by 13.5% to 39,684,000 ounces of gold and silver content. Total revenue declined by 44.1% to $1.8 billion, sending net income down by 52.8% to $28 million.
The United States Mint manufactures gold, silver, and platinum bullion coins which are issued to a network of authorized purchasers based on the market price of the metals plus a fixed or percentage markup. The authorized purchasers distribute the coins more broadly to the public as well as maintain a two-way market for the coins, assuring their liquidity.
Bullion products offered by the Mint during the 2014 fiscal year included the American Gold Eagle, American Silver Eagle, American Gold Buffalo, America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Coins, and the reintroduced American Platinum Eagle. The weight, content, and purity of all bullion coins are guaranteed by the United States government.
United States Mint Bullion Program Sales Volume
| (ounces sold) | 2014 | 2013 | Change |
| American Gold Eagle | 524,000 | 983,000 | -46.7% |
| American Silver Eagle | 38,285,000 | 43,559,000 | -12.1% |
| American Platinum Eagle | 14,000 | 0 | – |
| American Gold Buffalo | 178,000 | 235,000 | -24.3% |
| ATB Silver | 683,000 | 1,085,000 | -37.1% |
| Total | 39,684,000 | 45,862,000 | -13.5% |
The demand for US Mint gold bullion coins fell sharply compared to the prior year. American Gold Eagle sales volume fell by 46.7% to 524,000 ounces and American Gold Buffalo sales fell by 24.3% to 178,000 ounces.
Demand for silver bullion coins saw a more modest decline during the fiscal year, with the popular American Silver Eagle dropping by 12.1% to 38,285,000 ounces. The America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins, which only account for a relatively small portion of silver bullion sales, dropped by 37.1% to 683,000 ounces.
Although silver bullion sales fell during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, on a calendar year basis American Silver Eagles did manage to achieve record sales volume.
The US mint reintroduced the American Platinum Eagle bullion coins in response to increased market interest. The bullion coins had not been offered since 2008 when production was suspended in relation to the economic crisis. During the fiscal year, the coins were offered in one ounce size only and recorded sales of 14,000 ounces.
2014 Bullion Coin Revenue, Cost, and Net Income
| (in millions) | Gold Eagle | Silver Eagle | Platinum Eagle | Gold Buffalo | ATB Silver | Total |
| Sales Revenue | $693.5 | $849.9 | $21.9 | $234.0 | $15.1 | $1,814.4 |
| Gross Cost | ($676.5) | ($843.6) | ($22.4) | ($229.3) | ($14.6) | ($1,786.4) |
| Net Income | $17.0 | $6.3 | ($0.5) | $4.7 | $0.5 | $28.0 |
| Net Margin | 2.5% | 0.7% | (2.3%) | 2.0% | 3.3% | 1.5% |
The decline in sales volume combined with lower spot prices had a significant impact on segment performance during the fiscal year. The average daily spot price of gold during FY 2014 was $1,284.83 per ounce compared to $1,521.61 in FY 2013. The average daily spot price of silver was $20.17 per ounce compared to $26.79 in the prior year.
Across all products gold bullion revenue was down 52.6% and earnings were down 56.9% compared to the prior year. Silver bullion revenue was down 32.8% and earnings were down 24.4%.
Net margins were strongest for the America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins at 3.3%, followed by the American Gold Eagle at 2.5%, and American Gold Buffalo at 2.0%. The American Silver Eagle managed a slim margin of 0.7%, while the American Platinum Eagle generated a negative margin.
Failure to lower the ATB five ounce price and actually raise it, bravo public for showing your not going to spend your hard earned money on greedy pricing structures from uninformed marketing reps at the Mint.
I to think this is why oil prices dropped, people are out of money because of high oil for a very long time and can’t save for themselves anymore. Poor slaves go the work! P.S. I will be at work for a very long time if anybody has a question.