Unprecedented demand, a shortage of blanks and restrictive policies and regulations continue to exacerbate what is almost becoming a chronic shortage of gold and silver coins authorized by the U.S. Mint. The Mint has again “temporarily” suspended sales of almost all of its gold uncirculated and proof coins, along with nearly all of its silver uncirculated coins because of the limited availability of blanks. The 2009 American Buffalo one-ounce gold proof coin is to go on sale late in the second half of the 2009 calendar year after an acceptable inventory of 24-karat gold blanks can be acquired. In its catalog, the government says it will resume the American Eagle gold proof and uncirculated coin programs “once sufficient inventories of gold bullion blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American Eagle gold coin products.” Congressionally authorized American Eagle bullion coins are aimed at providing investors an effective way to invest in precious metals. Prices may change on a daily basis as the platinum, gold and silver markets fluctuate. The mint does not sell the bullion coins directly to the public, but distributes them in bulk through a network of official distributors who meet government financial and professional criteria, which must be attested to by an internationally accepted accounting firm.

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