Buchanan's Liberty Gold Coin Sales Open at 6,127

In the first few days of availability, the United States Mint has recorded sales of 3,641 proof and 2,486 uncirculated James Buchanan's Liberty First Spouse Gold Coins. The combined sales of 6,127 represent slightly more than 40% of the 15,000 coin maximum mintage established for the offering.

This opening sales figures for the Buchanan's Liberty coin are more than double the initial sales for the previous release featuring Jane Pierce, which debuted with combined sales of 2,434. The current release actually marks the strongest opening for the series since the Elizabeth Monroe coin released back in February 2008.

Despite the impressive opening, a quick sell out is probably not in the making. Sales for newly released US Mint products do tend to slow dramatically after the opening days, with the effect seemingly magnified this year. The US Mint offers each issue of the First Spouse Gold Coin series until orders have been received to fulfill the maximum mintage or for approximately one year, whichever occurs first. A sell out for the Buchanan's Liberty coin several months from now does seem to be a possibility.

The first three releases of the "Liberty subset" recorded total sales of 40,000 (Jackson's Liberty), 12,560 (Jackson's Liberty), and 11,849 (Van Buren's Liberty). Each of these issues had carried a maximum authorized mintage of 40,000 coins.

Besides the strong opening numbers for the James Buchanan's Liberty Gold Coins, the other offerings of the series saw a boost in the latest week. Across the proof and uncirculated versions of the Sarah Polk, Margaret Taylor, Abigail Fillmore, and Jane Pierce coins, the US Mint recorded sales of 957 coins. Weekly sales for the series typically fall into the 300-500 coin range.

Has the latest release drawn some collector interest back to the broader series? The following release featuring Mary Todd Lincoln might provide another boost or at least keep interest levels high.

View the full weekly US Mint sales report on Coin Update News.