January 25, 2010: US Mint Coin Production, Predictions on Gold, Rare Coin Market

January 25th, 2010

Welcome to Coin Update!

We provide a round up of the latest news and articles on coins and coin collecting from various sources around the internet! First, the decline in US Mint circulating coin shipments and seigniorage for the latest fiscal year. Also, the first 2010 Lincoln Cents reach circulation channels, predictions on 2010 coins and metals, America the Beautiful Quarters obverse, pictures of gold,  SS Central America gold coins and ingots, today’s rare coin market, and notable auctions. On to the links…

An examination of the steep decline in shipments of US Mint circulating coins for the 2009 fiscal year and the unit costs to produce each denomination.

The first 2010 Lincoln Cents have been encountered in circulation. This comes ahead of the official launch ceremony scheduled for February 11, 2010.

The latest installment of survey results from the Mint News Blog survey. Respondents provided predictions on 2010 coins and precious metals performance. The average prediction for the closing price of gold at the end of the year was $1,375,13.

For a more pessimistic view of gold, check out this Huffington Post article, which makes the case for lower gold prices.

A response to an article that was linked to last week, which explained that the CCAC backed down from a recommendation to put Theodore Roosevelt on America the Beautiful Quarters due to a lack of support from Congress.

Value trends for gold coins and ingots recovered from the SS Central America.

A collection of 37 photographs of people searching for, mining, rediscovering, celebrating, buying and selling gold. (Found via coinflation.)

Some perspectives on the size and scope of today’s rare coin market.

Coverage of the recent sale of the 1913 Liberty Nickel from the Sacramento Bee that starts out with some comparisons about how kids collected coins in years past and today.

And now for some notable auctions. Several eBay sellers have new Lincoln “Union Shield” Cents already in hand. Here are the current auctions for 2010 Lincoln Cent Rolls.

Next, the 2009 P & D SMS Bronze Lincoln Cent 8 Coin Set. This is one of numerous no reserve auctions from Modern Coin Mart this week.

Last, the popular 1918 Illinois Centennial Half Dollar, which depicts Abraham Lincoln on the obverse.

That wraps up another update!

Eagle Stampede or Last Gasp for Buyers?

By David C. Harper, Numismatic News January 21, 2010

The U.S. Mint had a good day of sales when the 2010 gold and silver American Eagles became available to the authorized distributors Jan. 19.

Buyers snapped up 2,440,000 silver American Eagles.

Gold American Eagle buyers took 49,000 of the one-ounce coins, only these were divided between old and new dates. The 2010 coins totaled 30,500 and the 2009 total was 18,500.

For a single day, these numbers are huge. Compared to final mintages for last year, they are tiny.

Trying to figure out where we go from here and whether we will get the proof versions back in 2010 and even the “W” mintmarked uncirculated version is basically a bet on whether you believe the Mint will be able to get ahead of the demand curve in the present 12-month period called 2010.

The Austrian Mint, no slouch in the world bullion coin market, said some weeks ago that demand for its gold coins would fall by 30 percent. A similar fall in gold American Eagles would take the 1,386,000 mintage of the 2009 gold Eagles down below a million pieces to 970,200. That would leave more than enough planchets available for any and all collector versions.

A demand decline would also allow the early return to the market of fractional gold American Eagles. In 2009 the market had to wait until December to get them.

Can demand for the silver American Eagles top the 2009 total of 29,134,000 coins?

There is little U.S. historical precedent from which to make a judgment. Look back at the mintages of the 1921 Morgans and 1922 and 1923 Peace dollars and you see mintage numbers of the same order of magnitude.

However, demand for silver dollars then was officially induced as they were replacements for the 270 million coins that were melted under the terms of the 1918 Pittman Act. The Treasury needed them to back Silver Certificates.

By 1928 the official demand ended and Peace dollar mintages were suspended until the economically unsettled years of 1934 and 1935 when President Franklin Roosevelt was trying any and every means to get the economy rolling.

Instead of a renaissance, the 1930s Peace dollar mintages were the last until an abortive 1964 attempt to revive them.

As with gold, any decline in silver Eagle demand in 2010 would hasten the return of the proof and the “W” uncirculated versions this year.

Once collectors have gotten used to the gap in their silver Eagle proof sets where the 2009 coins should be, they likely will climb back on the bandwagon and buy proofs at levels similar to or even higher than before.

Collectors who feel deprived of something often buy in greater numbers at their next opportunity. That could mean loads of silver proof Eagles in 2010.

So back to the results of Jan. 19: however you interpret the numbers, the salient fact is the Mint has generated sales of approximately $100 million in one day. That boggles my mind as I recall 1968 annual proof set sales of just $15 million.

Silver Eagle Mintage

The table below displays the mintage figures for American Silver Eagle coins. This includes bullion versions of the coin in the first column, proof versionsin the second column, and the collectible Uncirculated versions in the third column.

 Figures which are estimated are marked with an asterisk(*). These figures are based on sales figures reported by the US Mint, which may differ from the final mintage figures when released.

 The key date for the series has remained the elusive 1995-W Proof Silver Eagle. The highest mintage proof year was the inaugural year of 1986. The highest mintage bullion year was 2008, which came amidst a spike in the price of silver and enormous public demand.

	Bullion	Proof	Uncirculated
1986	5,393,005	1,446,778
1987	11,442,335	904,732
1988	5,004,646	557,370
1989	5,203,327	617,694
1990	5,840,210	695,510
1991	7,191,066	511,925
1992	5,540,068	498,654
1993	6,763,762	405,913
1994	4,227,319	372,168
1995	4,672,051	438,511
1995-W		30,125
1996	3,603,386	500,000
1997	4,295,004	435,368
1998	4,847,549	450,000
1999	7,408,640	549,796
2000	9,239,132	600,000
2001	9,001,711	746,398
2002	10,539,026	647,342
2003	8,495,008	747,831
2004	8,882,754	801,602
2005	8,891,025	816,663
2006	10,676,522	1,092,477*	466,573*
2007	9,028,036	821,759	621,333*
2008	20,583,000	700,979	533,757*
2009	28,766,500*	0*	0*

 

* Mintage Notes:

 2006: Proof mintage includes 248,875 coins sold in the 20th Anniversary Set. Uncirculated mintage includes 248,875 coins sold in the 20th Anniversary Set and 19,145 coins sold in the Gold and Silver 20th Anniversary Set.

 2007: Uncirculated mintage includes coins sold in the Annual Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set.

 2008: Uncirculated mintage includes coins sold in the Annual Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set. The set remains on sale.

 2009: Bullion coins sold during calendar year 2009, mintage may differ. Collectible uncirculated and proof coins were not issued this year.

By Jim Sinclair

Thoughts For The Day:

Even our school of economics and investors have become habituated to the social, political and financial calamity at hand. The outlaw financial leadership of the entire Western world has sold out our heritage on both sides of the pond.

Governments, states, municipalities, towns and hamlets are broke. Insurance companies, banks and major investment houses are valuing their assets from worth-less to worth-full.

The stampede to the bonus stock holder’s asset give away is clearly because this is the last dip at the well for a decade.

All paper money in the West is the common shares of the bankrupts.

Asia and Africa are rising and their ascension cannot be stopped. They have long term business plans and are working those plans to protect themselves from the multitudinous sins of the West and control world commerce.

Stand back for a moment, without emotion, and look at where we are.

Protect yourselves because no one else is going to do it.

Cling to money that has no liability attached to it, the only honest money, Gold.

Monday, January 18, 2010

US Mint Product Schedule Update

Posted by: Michael | Posted in: US Mint

Late last week, the US Mint updated their 2010 scheduled products listing to indicate release dates for products through April. Previously, release dates had only been available through the end of January.

The 2010 Presidential Dollar Proof Set will be released on February 11, 2010. This is one of the component proof sets that the US Mint releases each year, which contain a portion of the coins that are issued in the full set. Last year the Presidential Dollar Proof Set was released around the same date and priced at $14.95. The 2009 set still remains available for sale.

The Millard Fillmore Presidential Dollar Rolls will be released on February 18, 2010. These rolls contain 25 coins from either the Philadelphia or Denver Mint and in the past have been priced at $35.95 each. Last year the US Mint quickly sold out of the rolls offered for William Henry Harrison and John Tyler after reaching sales of 30,000 rolls for each mint. Curiously, the WHH rolls fetch big premiums on the secondary market, while the John Tyler rolls do not. The number of rolls available was increased for the next two Presidents, which still remain available for sale at the Mint.

The 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar will be released on February 25, 2010. About a month later on March 23, 2010, the 2010 Boy Scouts of American Centennial Silver Dollar will be released. These two coins will be the only commemorative coins issued by the US Mint for the year. Both programs include a maximum authorized mintage of 350,000.

The 2010 Abigail Fillmore First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal will be released on March 4, 2010. This will start the year for the 24 karat gold coin series featuring the First Spouses. On the same date, sales of the Anna Harrison Gold Coin will likely end. The uncirculated version of the Anna Harrison coin will be one to watch into the closing days, as it seems poised to mark a fresh mintage low for the series.

Lastly, the Presidential $1 Coin and Medal Set featuring Millard and Abigail Fillmore will be released on March 26, 2010. This set contains an uncirculated (satin finish) Presidential Dollar and First Spouse Bronze Medal for the Presidential couple. Last year these products were priced at $8.95 each.

As the release dates come closer and further information is available, there will be a separate post exploring each of these products.

Mintage Numbers Collapse
January 19, 2010

By Dave

Is this the year the Mint suspends the coinage of some denominations completely?

That is a question that needs to be asked in light of the collapse of production in 2009.

Overall production dropped by 65 percent last year, or 6,593,580,000 pieces from the 2008 level of 10,141,580,000.

The 3,548,000,000 total mintage from 2009 wouldn’t even be a reasonable number for cents from one facility alone in a normal year.

Collectors who grew up wondering things like why were no half dollars produced in the years 1930, 1931 and 1932, or no quarters in 1931 and 1933, now are seeing a replay of how a weak economy causes a rapid drop in the demand for coinage.

Economic statistics showed that retail sales dropped 6.5 percent last year, something not seen since the Depression.

Fewer transactions mean less demand for coins.

Throw in desperate people raiding every coin container they ever possessed just to try to keep food on the table and the combination adds up to a drastic fall in coin demand.

In 2009 the Mint tried to manage the production reductions at an even pace. Except for dimes, the Mint was remarkably able to divide what work there was evenly between the Philadelphia and Denver Mints.

The only high level of demand occurred for gold and silver coinage. Demand for those coins reflect fear of inflation and/or the unknown by buyers.

This, too, has a parallel in the high mintages of gold $10s and $20s during the Depression before President Roosevelt banned gold ownership in 1933.

The 4,463,000 mintage for the gold $10 in 1932, the record for the Saint-Gaudens Indian Head series, was caused by the same type of panicky demand for gold that we are seeing with American Eagles today.

This demand also is reflected to a lesser degree in the mintages of the 1931 and 1932 $20s.

Roosevelt after banning gold ownership to end the panic, devalued the dollar and tried to induce inflation. By this action he proved the hoarder’s fears to be justified, but persistent deflation rather than inflation dogged the economy.

Are we in a period of similar paradox where fear of inflation actually produces deflation?

The Coins of 1883: Interesting and Collectible

By Tom LaMarre, Coins Magazine January 19, 2010

Other News & Articles

• COTY Goes to Latvia, Hungary Wins People’s Choice
• The Coins of 1883: Interesting and Collectible
• Two-Cent Set One Every Collector Can Do

Some of the designs were old, some were new and some were altered outside the Mint. But they all made news, and today the coins of 1883 look pretty interesting to collectors.

Back then the Mint was turning out everything from cents to gold $20s. It was the smaller silver denominations and so-called “minor” coins—those struck in copper and nickel—that everyone wanted.

“During the year a large demand arose for dimes,” the Mint director wrote in his annual report for the fiscal year ending in June 1883, “and 7,175,119 were coined at the Mint in Philadelphia. The demand for minor coins continued urgent and 20,455,488 five-cent pieces and 40,467,419 one-cent pieces were struck and issued.”

No fewer than three different types of five-cent pieces were struck in 1883. The year started with the Shield nickel that had been around since the 1860s. When it was about to be replaced in 1883, one writer referred to it as the “old” Shield nickel and claimed it had a partially flattened crab on one side, a reference to the much-hated shield on the obverse. The same writer, however, described the large “5” on the reverse as “majestic.”

As a running change in 1883, the Shield nickel gave way to the Liberty Head nickel designed by Charles Barber. The omission of the word “CENTS” left the door open for con artists to gold-plate the new nickels, give them a reeded edge and pass them as gold $5s.

In April 1883, a newspaper reported that arrests for gilding nickels were being made “all over the country.” The April 6, 1883, issue of the Perry Chief, published in Perry, Iowa, reported, “A sharper has been passing the gilded new nickels on Dubuque merchants. He got away.”

The omission of “CENTS” wasn’t a case of forgetfulness on Barber’s part. He left it off deliberately, just as he had done on the copper-nickel three-cent piece. But the cents-less nickels caused so many headaches that new reverse dies with the inscription “CENTS” were made.

In Fine-12 grade, an 1883 Shield nickel is valued at $32, an 1883 Liberty Head nickel without cents at less than $9, and an 1883 Liberty Head nickel with cents at around $40.

With three different types of nickels struck in 1883, the country should have had plenty of five-cent pieces to go around. Yet in January 1883 the San Francisco Chronicle issued a plea for more silver half dimes. None had been minted since 1873.

The problem was that the San Francisco Mint was not allowed to strike nickels. Half dimes were another story, but they never made a comeback.

Dimes were struck only at the Philadelphia Mint in 1883, but counterfeit dimes were reported to be circulating in New Orleans in June. With a mintage of more than 7.6 million, a genuine 1883 dime in Very Fine-20 is valued at $20.

The Seated Liberty dime had been minted since 1837, but the design was nearing the end of the line. An 1883 newspaper article criticized the design, claiming that Liberty was seated upon nothing, holding a night cap on a stick. The writer complained that Liberty had no features, and that she had two right legs.

The design wasn’t very popular at the Treasury Department either. After years of experimentation and failed design competitions, the Seated Liberty dime, quarter and half dollar gave way to Barber’s Liberty head design in 1892.

J&T Coins LLC is now selling the 2010 1 oz Silver American Eagles.

Prices are as low as spot silver plus $2.10, per coin and include shipping and insurance in the USA.

To order call 866-267-6024.

Coins Proclaim Year of the Tiger

By Kerry Rodgers, World Coin News January 14, 2010

Other News & Articles

• COTY Goes to Latvia, Hungary Wins People’s Choice
• Coins Proclaim Year of the Tiger
• Famous Nickel Gets $3.7 Million

It’s that time of the year again, the lunar new year, in fact. On Feb. 14 of solar year 2010 the new lunar year will dawn. It is a Year of the Tiger, the third aspect of the 12-year lunar cycle. For those who really need to know, it is the 27th year of the 79th 60-year zodiacal lunar cycle. And, if you insist on getting picky, it is a metal tiger or G?ngyín year.

Over the last couple of decades collecting lunar zodiacal coin issues has become a major sub-field of numismatics, and the world’s mints have had no intention of upsetting the punters this time around. Issues galore have been appearing over the past eight months.

Of course, for the Chinese the main significance of the coins is in giving – and receiving – them as gifts known as lai see, particularly the giving by adults to children.

The dosh commonly arrives in red envelopes that symbolize good fortune. Ideally the total amount of lai see cash involves numerous auspicious eights, and today smart mints package their lunar coins in red and/or involve “8” in one way or another, often either in the presentation or in the coin mintages.

The amount of money tells a recipient the depth of the donor’s feelings. Of course, these days folding money is the sole acceptable currency for teens. However, I am assured that a $10 coin will cut the mustard among most junior relatives, and I would except that any of the gold or silver coins described here would prove a most suitable lai see gift for those with a Tiger in their life.

This time around, the happy coincidence of the Lunar New Year with the Western world’s Valentine should represent a substantial money-saving bonus for some of us.

The Tigers Among Us

The Tiger got the bronze medal in the Great Race organized by the August Personage of Jade to determine the order of the lunar zodiac. He arrived at the finish line exhausted, panting out his pardons. He had found it difficult to cross the heavenly river. Strong currents kept pushing him downstream. It was only the power of his muscles that enabled him to reach the furthest shore in time for him to take his place as the third animal of the zodiacal cycle – after the Rat and the Ox.

The Tiger has come to be revered in many Asian societies. He is regarded as a mythical god-like being, a symbol of power and good fortune who protects people from evil, especially little children. His approximate Western counterpart is Aquarius.

The Tigers of our world score high in the popularity stakes. They are lively and engaging people. On their good days they come across as powerful, passionate and stimulating. They are intelligent, thoughtful, alert and farsighted, with a strong sense of their own dignity. They have little value for power or money. Those close to them find them sincere, affectionate and sensitive, being both generous and displaying great sympathy.

In general they are totally open and honest about their feelings, but they also expect the same from you. Then again, Tigers can be somewhat unpredictable. Never try and second-guess a Tiger. They may appear laid back but can strike without warning – and their claws are sharp.

They are naturally suspicious and, at worst, can be extremely short-tempered. Far too often they come into conflict with their elders or authority figures. The upshot is that they can appear intolerant, stubborn, aggressive, impulsive, rebellious and selfish.

Despite these shortcomings, Tigers are natural leaders, capable of inspiring great respect. They have their fingers on the pulse and are good strategists. Yet part of the package is a pig-headedness that can make them difficult if inspirational bosses. Beware their hidden agendas. Oddly, Tigers have trouble making decisions. Too, too often they rush off half-cocked with some ill-conceived notion or make the appropriate choice far too late.

Importantly, Tigers are incorrigibly competitors. They cannot pass up a challenge. They display courage to the point of recklessness but can afford the luxury of doing so, having been born lucky. As such, whatever the outcome, their natural good fortune ensures they land on their feet ready to pursue life with energy. In particular, expect Metal Tigers to stand out in a crowd.

New Zealand Mint’s Charismatic Cats

The newest member of the lunar coin club, New Zealand Mint, beat all other contenders when it released details of its first lunar issue in July of solar year 2009.

Following on from last year’s highly successful Year of the Ox coin, the New Zealand Mint has produced a matching Year of the Tiger 40 mm, 1-ounce, .999 fine silver $2 for Niue. Mintage is just 20,000 with an issue date of November 2009.

The reverse design shows a selectively-gilded, traditional tiger scaling a hill, signifying the animal’s readiness to scale the heights in its on-going quest for personal improvement. The evergreen pine trees around the hill’s summit invoke longevity.

The Tiger coin comes in an identical packaging to last year: a Lucky Blessings Gold Ingot that resembles a traditional boat-shaped gold sycee, a symbol of prosperity. The Chinese characters at top, front and back offer felicitations for success, longevity and happiness. In short, “Live long and prosper.” The auspicious peonies denote wealth, distinction, happiness and peace; a pair of magpies conveys joy and good fortune.

And the mint has produced its third lunar silver $2 for Pitcairn Islands. Mintage details are the same as for Niue except the coin’s diameter is 40.7 mm. The colorized reverse design shows a proud adult tiger prowling the alpine snows – which is just a tad incongruous given Pitcairn’s subtropical clime.

If your local dealer cannot supply either coin, try www.nzmint.com.

Perth’s Purrfection

Perth Mint may not have been first cab off the rank in the lunar coin game this year, but once again this mint has produced a vast array of lunar coins, with its first issues in the third part of its Lunar Series II released last August. Along with proof and common-or-garden bullion issues, there are several of those extra-special items.

Check out Perth’s Web site for details: www.perthmint.com.au. If your local dealer can’t supply, that is the place to buy.

Proofs: The reverse of the .9999 fine gold proofs all show a magnificent tiger’s head full frontal, its eyes focused on something just above the viewer’s left shoulder. The image is accompanied by the Chinese character for tiger, the inscription “Year of the Tiger” and the Perth Mint’s “P” mintmark.

The coins include 3,000 1-ounce ($100), 5,000 1/4-ounce ($25) and 5,000 1/10-ounce ($15) coins plus 3,000 three-coin sets containing one of each denomination housed in a oval timber and metal presentation case. The diameters and thickness of the three coins are: $100, 38.80 mm and 2.50 mm; $25, 22.60 mm and 2.20 mm; and $15, 18.60 mm and 2.00 mm.

The reverse of the .999 fine silver frosted proofs depicts a tiger in repose, perhaps contemplating a recent satisfying meal or lazily eyeing a prospective fatted calf, along with the Chinese character for tiger and Perth’s mintmark.

These silver coins come as 5,000 1-ounce ($1) and 500 1-kilo ($30) coins. In addition 2-ounce ($2) and 1/2-ounce (50 cents) proofs are available solely within 1,000 three-coin sets that include the 1-ounce ($1) proof. The diameters and thickness of the four coins are: $30, 100.60 mm and 14.60 mm; $2, 55.60 mm and 3.60 mm; the $1, 45.60 mm and 2.60 mm; and 50 cents, 36.60 mm and 2.30 mm.

Lunar bullion: Perth’s .9999 fine gold YoT bullion is the 15th such lunar issue with coin denominations similar to earlier years: 1/20 ounce ($5), 1/10 ounce ($15), 1/4 ounce ($25), 1/2 ounce ($50), 1 ounce ($100), 2 ounce ($200), 10 ounce ($1,000), and 1 kilo ($3,000). This year the 10 kilo ($30,000) has returned. The design is as for the gold proofs, showing a tiger full frontal.

No mintage limits exist for the $3,000, $1,000, $200, $50, $25, $15 and $5 gold bullion coins but production will close at the end of 2010. In the case of the $100, mintage is limited to 30,000 and production will cease when the mintage is fully sold or at the end of the series, whichever comes first. A maximum of 100 $30,000 coins will be produced on a made-to-order basis.

For the .999 fine silver bullion it is the 12th year of issue. The reverse design is that of the tiger-in-repose. Issues are identical to last year: 1/2 ounce ($0.50), 1 ounce ($1), 2 ounce ($2), 5 ounce ($8), 10 ounce ($10), 1/2 kilo ($15), 1 kilo ($30) and 10 kilo ($300).

Mintage limits are similar to last year’s Year of the Ox issues. No mintage limit applies to the $30, $15, $10, $8, $2 and 50-cent coins. With the exception of the $30, production of these coins will close at the end of 2010. Production of the 1 kilo coin will cease at the end of the series. In the case of the $1 coin, a maximum of 300,000 will be struck with production ceasing when that mintage is fully sold or at the end of the series, whichever comes first. A maximum of 500 $300 coins will be produced on a made-to-order basis.

Perth’s transmogrifications: As in past years, the $1 (1-ounce) .999 fine silver coin comes in Perth’s popular colored and gilded versions.

The tiger-in-recline come gilded in 24 karat with 50,000 of these coins struck in specimen BU quality. A colored version has a mintage of 170,000 with just 3,800 available in Australia, as was the case in the past two years.

All four proof, gilded, colored and bullion versions of the tiger-in-recline are available as a single packaged set. Mintage is 1,500 sets.

And this year’s colorized $30 1-kilo .999 fine silver gemstone issue comes complete with a golden topaz for the tiger’s eye.

The obverse of all of Perth’s coins shows the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, the 2010 solar year-date, the monetary denomination and, where appropriate, the weight, composition and fineness of the precious metal.

RAM’s Terrific Tortoiseshells

For the Royal Australian Mint the Year of the Tiger brings the fourth issue of their regular lunar series designed by Vladimir Gottwald. However, unlike the last three issues, this year there are just two coins: a 17.53 mm, 1/10-ounce .9999 fine gold $10 proof with a mintage of 2,500; and a 25.00 mm, 9.00 g BU aluminum-bronze with an unlimited mintage. No lunar silver proof in this series will be available in solar year 2010. If your local dealer cannot supply, these coins can be sourced from the mint’s Web site: www.ramint.gov.au.

In addition, it is the RAM’s second year for its second lunar series struck specifically for the Asian market and designed by Shang Erji. Last year’s Ox coins proved a great success and are matched by corresponding proof Tiger issues. These include a 40 mm, 1-ounce .999 fine silver dollar with a mintage of 30,000, a 17.53 mm, 1/10-ounce .9999 fine gold $10 with a mintage of 10,000, and a similar 30 mm, 1/2-ounce gold $25 with a mintage of 3,800. The silver dollar can be bought on its own or paired in sets with either of the gold coins. The gold $10 and $25 come solely in the sets.

At the time of writing, supplies of these coins in Australia were available from Downies at www.downies.com.

China’s Marvelous Moggies

The People’s Bank of China released 15 different .999 fine gold and .999 fine silver coins in October to celebrate the upcoming G?ngyín year. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes. All are legal tender of the People’s Republic of China.

The reverse of 11 of the coins shows a crouching tiger backed by tiger mask along with the face value and “G?ngyín” in Chinese characters. Nine of the obverses show the national emblem of the PRC either enclosed in a wreath of lotus and fish or flanked by lotus and fish to denote the upcoming year as one of abundance.

Four of these coins are conventional circular proofs: a 40 mm, 1-ounce silver ¥10 with a mintage of 100,000; a 100 mm, 1-kilo silver ¥300 (mintage 3800); an 18 mm, 1/10-ounce gold ¥50 (mintage 80,000); a 180 mm, 10-kilo gold ¥100,000 whose mintage is just 18 pieces.

Three are plum-blossom-shaped proofs: a 40 mm, 1-ounce silver ¥10 with a 60,000 mintage; a 27 mm, 1/2-ounce gold ¥200 (mintage 8,000); a 100 mm, 1-kilo gold ¥10,000 (mintage 118). Spring blossom is a potent symbol of the New Year. In general it signifies good fortune, but traditionalists consider the blooming of a seemingly dead branch as symbolizing hope. For those looking for love, plum blossoms are where it’s at.

Two coins are rectangular: a 80 by 50 mm, 5-ounce silver ¥50 (mintage 1,888) and a 64 by 40 mm, 5-ounce gold ¥200 (mintage 118).

Two BU strikes are fan-shaped: a 1-ounce silver ¥10 (mintage 66,000) and a 1/2-ounce gold ¥200 (mintage 6,600). Their reverses show the crouching tiger but their common obverse depicts the Drum Tower in Jiuquan, Gansu Province. In China fans represent prosperity and good fortune.

Four selectively colored coins have a reverse showing a traditional Chinese folk tiger design prancing in a field of auspicious peonies, along with the face value and the words G?ngyín in Chinese: a 40 mm, 1-ounce silver ¥10 (mintage 100,000); a 70 mm, 5-ounce silver ¥50 (mintage 8,800); an 18 mm, 1/10-ounce gold ¥50 (mintage 30,000); a 60 mm, 5-ounce gold ¥2,000 (mintage 1,500). The obverses of these coins are same as the round proofs.

Canada’s ‘Kaptivating’ Kitties

As in previous years, the Royal Canadian Mint launched its YoT coins in October and November. Last year was the 12th and last of the $15 bimetallic lunar series designed by Harvey Chan. This year the mint has inaugurated a new Lunar Lotus series, the work of Three Degrees Creative Group. The $15 .925 silver coin has a distinctive eight-fold scallops reminiscent of a lotus flower. On the reverse a restless tiger lashes its tail as it prowls through a bamboo grove. The plain-edged coin has a diameter of 38 mm and weighs in at 26.29 grams. As with Harvey Chan’s bimetallic lunar issues, the mintage is an auspicious 48,888.

Meanwhile, Harvey’s $150 18 karat (0.750 gold, 0.250 silver) extremely popular holographic lunar series continues on its most colorful way. As with the earlier nine coins in this series, the diameter is 28 mm and its weight 11.84 grams. Mintage is 4,888. The overall quality and colorfulness of this issue makes it an ideal Lunar New Year gift.

Both coins feature RCM’s distinctive, uncrowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. Prospective purchasers can try www.mint.ca if their friendly neighborhood dealer proves unable to supply.

Singapore’s Fabulous Felines

This will be the 29th year Singapore Mint has issued its lunar coins. The first series ran from 1981 through 1992 and featured realistic representations of the 12 lunar animals. The second series from 1993 to 2004 depicted the animals as traditional Chinese cut-paper effigies.

Since 2005 the designs for the third series by Xu Yunfei of the Shanghai Mint has drawn its inspiration from traditional Chinese calligraphy. His Year of the Tiger coins were released on Nov. 21, 2009. The coins themselves are available from www.mint.com.sg or with a bit of tiger luck, from your favorite coin dealer.

As in recent years, three 0.9999 fine gold proof coins are available: $5 (1/4-ounce, 21.96 mm, mintage 2,000), $100 (1-ounce, 33.00 mm, 2,000) and $200 (5-ounce, 60 mm, 200).

In addition a tiny, 7 mm, 0.3 gram $1 gold coin comes mounted on a gold-colored card featuring a tiger family portrait. Singapore Mint claims this to be the smallest 0.9999 fine gold coin in the world. With a mintage of 3,000, it makes an ideal lai see gift for a junior relative.

The massive 5-ounce 0.999 fine $25 silver coin is the largest coin issued by Singapore Mint. The diameter is 65 mm and mintage of just 250 pieces. It is complemented by a small 20-gram $2 silver coin with a 6,000 mintage. But the prize of the silver collection is the 2-ounce, 45 mm, .999 fine silver $10 piedfort on which the tiger burns bright in full glorious color. Mintage is 20,000.

For those not into precious metals, as in past years a cupronickel proof-like, 38.70 mm $2 is available with an 80,000 mintage.

Once again these coins are available singly or in sets. The three-in-one set contains the $100 gold, the colored $10 silver piedfort and the $2 cupronickel coin, as well as an additional eight-sided, floral-shaped ingot featuring a tiger family taking their ease. The painting is the work of tiger artist Mr. Tan Seng Yong. Only 500 of these sets are available.

This year there is also a two-in-one set that contains the colored $10 silver piedfort, the $2 cupronickel coin and the eight-sided, floral-shaped tiger family ingot. Three-thousand sets have been produced.

And the regular circulating coin sets of the Singapore Mint for 2010 are available in bright red tiger-embellished packs accompanied by an auspicious Chinese New Year blessing. The obverse of all coins bears the Singapore Arms and 2010 solar date.

Once again the Singapore Mint has struck the lunar commemoratives for the Monetary Authority of Macau, as has occurred in the Year of the Rat and Year of the Ox. In keeping with these earlier issues, the designs blend of Western and Eastern cultures as happens in the melting pot of Macau itself.

The obverse of each 2010 coin features a stylish tiger crouching amidst pine trees depicted in brilliant red and green and symbolizing longevity. On the reverse is the Mandarin’s House built in 1881. A World Heritage Site, this was the home of the distinguished scholar Zheng Guanying, whose writings on economics influenced both Mao Tse Tung and Sun Yat Sen.

Mintages, denominations and metals are as for last year’s issue: 21.96 mm, 1/4-ounce (7.776 grams) .9999 fine gold colorized proof 250 patacas with a mintage of 3,000; a 65.0 mm 5-ounce (155.52 grams) .999 fine colorized silver proof 100 patacas with a mintage of just 500; and a 40.70 mm, 1-ounce (31.10 grams) .9999 fine silver colorized proof 20 patacas with a mintage of 6,000.

The coins along with those from Year of the Ox and Year of the Rat are available from www.mint.com.sg.

But There’s More!

Regrettably, back in November 2009 Mongolia’s designs were unknown but, as in recent years, The Big Cat will likely stalk this country’s second lunar cycle series on its 500, 1,000, and massive 2,500 tugrik silver issues, as well as the 10,000 and 50,000 tugrik gold coins.

Nor had anything come in from Monnaie de Paris, who became a fully paid-up member of the lunar coin club in 2007. If the last three years are anything to go by, it can be assumed they will be issuing their silver 1/4-euro and gold 10-euro lunar coins with their distinctive, if somewhat unusual, bicultural designs: the obverse with Jean de La Fontaine, the 17th century French fabulist, and all 12 lunar zodiacal animals; the reverse bearing a tawny cat.

And I am sure there are others out there. Kung hei fat choi!

We hobbyists are used to the shortages that have manifested themselves in the gold bullion American Eagle market on an off for the past 18 months, but how will we react to mandatory purchases?

It sounds strange, I know.

However a possibility exists that not all 2009-dated gold American Eagles will be sold by the time the 2010 coins go on sale to the authorized purchaser network on Jan. 19. As of Jan. 13, the Mint had 51,000 of the 2009 gold American Eagles on hand, which represents roughly a half month’s supply.

The Mint has a plan to get rid of them if buyers don’t step up to the plate between now and Jan. 19.

Force them to buy.

Any buyer who wants 2010 gold American Eagles will have to also buy 2009 coins until the supply is deleted.

For every three 2010 coins they purchase, they will also have to take one 2009 coin.

Will the market absorb these without fuss, or will this turn into another grievance against the Mint?

The date should make no difference to investors. Gold is gold, but collectors or other buyers who are focused on the new date might not care for the older coins and resent yet another unexpected turn in the secondary market for these coins.

On the other hand, perhaps the premium for the 2009 gold will fall enough on the secondary market to induce investors to take the supply, thereby achieving more bang for their investment buck.

Let’s watch and see.

One more thing, because the Mint ran out of 2009 silver American Eagles Jan. 12, possible mandatory purchases apply only to gold American Eagles.

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