James Buchanan’s Liberty Gold Coins on Top

Although the overall number of First Spouse Gold Coins sold during the past week improved compared to the prior report, only half had better sales. 868 was the total versus 846, according to the United States Mint sales report.

Without a doubt collectors still found James Buchanan’s Liberty Gold most desirable of the available coins in the series. They wanted 249 proofs and 194 uncirculated. This surge for the Liberty uncirculated was a rebound after 67 sold in the last report. Buchanan’s total reached 9,498 or 63.32% of its 15,000 mintage limit.

Margaret Taylor’s coins have been riding high of late. The U.S. Mint sold 126 proofs compared to 78 and 52 over the last few weeks, and they sold 97 of the uncirculated versus 77 and 72. Taylor’s coins were the last ones offered in 2009 and have been on the charts since their December 3 launch. In all, 7,578 have sold. They will likely remain on sale until December 2, 2010, because that is the date when the new Mary Lincoln First Spouse coins will be released.

The only other coin to improve over the prior week’s gain was Jane Pierce’s uncirculated. In the previous report just 34 sold, but 70 were picked up in this round. The proof version was almost as popular, adding 67, but demand was slightly less enthusiastic compared to the 78 taken previously.

As predicted earlier, the Mint raised First Spouse coin prices. They are now $829 for the proofs and $816 for the uncirculated, which was an increase of $25 each and the highest price ever since the series debuted in 2007. The coins had been $804 and $791 since September 15, 2010. According to the pricing policy, the London Fix weekly average of gold would have to move outside the range of $1,300 to $1,349.99 per ounce in order for the Mint to change prices again.

One Presidential $1 and Medal Set outperformed its prior week’s advance, and that was the Zachary and Margaret Taylor set, jumping 47 versus 39. Also notable were the three sets that sold more than 100, which were Buchanan’s with 941, Pierce’s at 218, and Fillmore’s with 156.

The following tables compare the prior to most recent U.S. Mint sales data:

The “as of date” for the latest Mint figures is Sunday, October 3. Visit the First Spouse Gold Coins home page for more information on the series.