Despite delaying release until January 19 of the 2010-dated Silver Eagles, the American Silver Eagle Bullion coins have already topped the 6 million sales mark through to the second week of March, according to the latest figures from the United States Mint.

The silver bullion coins set the pace by posting their best ever January. Authorized buyers ordered 3,592,500, this is a significant feat given the series began in 1986. Although there was a slight slip in February by comparison, the Silver Eagle able to bolster enough sales to record a second best ever February. With February sales totals coming in at 2,050,000 for the month right behind February 2009.

425,000 of the rare Silver Bullion coin were sold during the first two weeks of March, bringing the year-to-date tally to 6,067,500. Even if none are sold in the remaining 2 1/2 weeks of this month the bullion eagles will at least record their second best starting quarter ever. Despite a recent trend that indicates a slower pace, the bullion eagles are still in great demand. The demand has been driven in large part by silver prices. Silver is up 1.5 percent in 2010, and the metal has a 2010 high of $18.66.

The Mint does not sell bullion eagles directly to the public, but instead to a small group of authorized purchasers who in turn resell them to precious metal providers, investors, dealers and collectors. These coins do not have a mint mark, unlike their numismatic counterparts.

For more information about this year’s bullion coin, to include specifications and design details, contact one of friendly and knowledgeable rare coin experts.

J.C. Calhoun