The United States Mint began accepting orders from authorized purchasers for the 2013 American Gold Eagle (Buy on eBay) bullion coins on January 2, 2013. On this date, the one ounce as well as fractional size coins were all made available. As customary, the authorized purchasers were able to order the bullion coins directly from the United States Mint based on the market price of gold plus a percentage mark up. These coins were in turn resold to coin dealers, bullion dealers, or directly to the public.
Initial orders for the 2013-dated bullion coins were stronger compared to the prior year, reaching the equivalent of 50,000 troy ounces worth of gold during the opening day of sales. For all of January, total sales would reach 150,000 ounces representing the highest monthly total in more than two years. Bullion demand would surge in April, coinciding with a decline in the market price of gold, reaching an even higher monthly total of 209,500 ounces. Despite the two strong months, sales would slow considerably during the summer months. Final annual bullion sales reached 856,500 ounces across all four available sizes.
For collectors, the U.S. Mint offered the two different numismatic product types. The first was the standard proof coins, which are struck with specially prepared dies on specially prepared blanks resulting in a cameo proof finish with sharply detailed features. The second was the collectible uncirculated coin, struck on burnished blanks and carrying the “W” mint mark. These two versions had become the standard numismatic fare for the series.
Proof Coin
The 2013 Proof Gold Eagle (Buy on eBay) coins went on sale April 18, 2013 with four individual options and a four coin set available. Maximum mintages and product limits were established, which represented reductions from the prior year. Pricing was based on the average market price of gold and was subject to potential weekly adjustment.
Sales levels for the proof Gold Eagles remained at subdued levels for much of the year. The four coin set option would sell out in the final days of December, followed by the individual one ounce and one-tenth ounce sized coins in early January 2014. Towards the end of the month, the individual one-half ounce and one-quarter ounce coins also sold out. Based on last reported sales, the one-quarter and one-half ounce coins marked new mintage lows for their respective denominations in proof format. The one ounce and one-tenth ounce coins measured slight gains compared to the prior year.
Uncirculated Coin
The 2013-W Uncirculated Gold Eagle (Buy on eBay) went on sale June 6, 2013 and was available in one ounce size only. The coins were offered without a stated maximum mintage and without any household ordering limits. Pricing throughout the course of the offering was based on the average weekly marked price of gold.
Demand for this second numismatic measured an increase compared to the prior year. A sell out occurred on December 3, 2013 with last reported sales of 7,293. This served to solidify the key date status of the 2012-W Uncirculated Gold Eagle.
During 2013, the price of gold marked a sizable decline. After opening the year around $1,700 per ounce a sustained decline punctuated by two steep drops brought the price to $1,204.50 by the end of the year. This represented gold’s first annual price decline following an uninterrupted eleven year winning streak.
2013 Gold Eagle Specifications
Date: 2013
Mint Mark: none (bullion), W (proof and uncirculated)
Composition: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, 5.33% copper
Weight ($50 Coin): 1.0909 troy oz (33.930 grams)
Diameter ($50 Coin): 1.287 inches (32.7 mm)
Thickness ($50 Coin): 0.113 inches (2.87 mm)
Designers: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (obverse), Miley Busiek (reverse)
2013 Gold Eagle Mintage
Bullion Mintage: 758,500 (1 oz), 57,000 (1/2 oz), 114,500 (1/4 oz), 555,000 (1/10 oz)
Proof Mintage (Last Reported Sales): 24,710 (1 oz), 12,718 (1/2 oz), 12,789 (1/4 oz), 21,742 (1/10 oz)
Burnished Mintage (Last Reported Sales): 7,293
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