One month ago, shortly after we reported that "Silver Coin Sales At US Mint Soar To Highest In Two Years [6]" we learned that the "US Mint Sells Out Of Silver Eagles Following "Tremendous" Demand [7]." That, however, did not prevent the mint from selling just about 5 million ounces in the period since the announcement, and as Reuters reported [8]last week, "Strong investor demand lifted American Eagle Silver Bullion coin sales to a record for the second straight year, the U.S. Mint said on Tuesday."
Silver Bullion coin sales have reached 42.9 million coins so far this year, up from the previous record 42.7 million coins last year, the U.S. Mint said in a release. The coin sales on Dec. 8 reached 495,500, lifting them above the 2013 record, the Mint said.
Reuters added that "silver coin sales fell 40.8 percent in November to 3.43 million ounces" which perhaps was to be expected considering the Mint had just sold out of Eagles and the delay associated with coining more and putting them into inventory.
In any event, since the Reuters announcement, another half a million American Eagles have sold direct from the mint, and the total now stands [9]at an even record-er 43.3 million ounces.
[10]
For those confused, it is clear that another year of record demand for physical silver explains why the price of silver is down 12.5% in 2014 after being down 36% last year. Why? Because as we said a month ago [7], "when it comes to precious metals, thanks to the BIS and the central banks, Paper beats Rock every time."
