2015 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin Sold Out

liberty_obverse_7.13.15

The 2015 American Liberty High Relief One Ounce Gold Coin is now sold out. The issue was given a mintage limit of 50,000 units upon its release on July 30 of last year, and went on to sell a total of 49,325 pieces before it was discontinued this week.

The Liberty HR was, in many ways, the biggest release of 2015. A relatively large price tag of $1,490 did little to soften demand for the item, and it sold 36,686 units on its first day of availability — a number limited by the fact that the product went into Unavailable status hours after its release.

The final seven- or eight-thousand pieces of this issue sold slowly over a period about about six months. The coin was frequently listed as Unavailable on the Mint’s Web site during this period, and available units were often doled out in small batches as sales totals drew closer to the 50,000-piece limit. There was a brief but notable spike in sales in late October, however, after the item’s 50-unit per household order limit was removed.

liberty_reverse_7.13.15

The Mint has been reluctant to declare its 2015-dated gold coins sold out, despite the fact that many of these issues — such as the American Buffalo and American Eagles — have been listed as Unavailable for weeks or even months. It’s possible this is linked to the uncertainty surrounding the Mint’s 2016 product release schedule, which still contains several big question marks, especially as regards the expected arrival dates of some of this year’s most anticipated items.

The optimist in me wants to see the close-out of the Liberty HR as significant somehow, a sign that perhaps the Mint is gearing up to move beyond the near state of limbo we’ve seen in the last two months. It’s hard not to see the start of 2016 as a kind of hangover following the Mint’s late realization that they’d have to re-think their approach to the 2016 Silver Eagles, which by law must highlight the 30th anniversary of the series and include edge lettering in lieu of a reeded edge.

Whether or not the Silver Eagle conundrum has rippled out into larger logistical problems for the Mint, we’ve seen several hitches in the availability of products containing precious metals so far this year, particularly in regards to the Mark Twain commemoratives. I can’t help but hope the declared sell-out of the Liberty HR bodes well for the Mint’s confidence in its ability to roll out its numismatic products over the next several months. They have, after all, consistently produced and sold huge amounts of bullion so far in 2016. Maybe the disappearance of the Liberty HR is a sign we’re getting closer to finding out a launch-date for the 1916 gold reissues, or the new Silver Eagles, or, for that matter, the American Liberty Silver Medals. One can hope.

Also, a reminder that introductory pricing for the 2016 Mark Twain Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coins will conclude today, March 2, at 3 pm. After the change, the cost of each issue will increase by five dollars to $50.95 for the Proof coin and $49.95 for the Uncirculated issue. Both items are currently on Back Order at the Mint’s Web Site, but the discounted prices will be honored for all purchases made prior to the 3 pm cut off. Thanks to Xena for the reminder in the comments of the previous post.

Update, 3/3/16: Someone else got one. Michael White of the U.S. Mint’s Office of Corporate Communications confirmed in an email that the final sales total for the 2015 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin is 49,325 units, not 49,324. The article has been updated to included the correct information.

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Comments

  1. KCSO says

    YUP!!!

    “It’s hard not to see the start of 2016 as a kind of hangover following…” – Well put!

  2. cagcrisp says

    Two weeks from tomorrow and the AGE’s will be available. I figured that they would have to clean up the website before that happened…

  3. Erik H says

    I’ve asked more than a few local coin shops if they have any 2015 Liberty High Relief Gold coins to sell.

    One of two answers keep coming up:

    1. They are ugly & nobody wanted them. (I think they sold pretty good for something that nobody wanted, IMHO)
    2. The price dropped really quickly so we got rid of them.

    So if small mom & pop stores don’t want to hold on to them. And the few big online retailers have limited stock that means that the collectors (strong hands) will soon be in control of future prices. Currently there are only 62 on sale on eBay, I think prices will slowly rise and these will always command a premium to spot.

  4. says

    “clean up the website before”…

    The website has been a mess and continues to be a mess with more items Currently Unavailable or Sold Out than Available…

    The Marketing and Product IT Managers would have been fired long before now at any commercial business

  5. says

    Will be interesting to see what impact the Silver Liberty coins may have on the HR gold..,

    Or if that design finds its way on to the ASE…

  6. Zaz says

    What a boring year it’s turned to be for collectors of US Mint products. Other than the MT coins, nothing has stood out this quarter. Shawnee was a wash, great for the Mint for selling 105K bullion, but barely a ripple of notice for the P. Looks like they want to trim their customer base and aim for either selling more bullion to the registered APs or high dollar amount items like the HR Liberty and the APE. It’s shaping up to be another transition year (end of the Presidential $1 finally), and transition years sometimes generate low mintage surprises. With less and less people buying direct that shouldn’t be a surprise either.

  7. cagcrisp says

    @Zaz, That’s why the Sales of the Shawnee P puck is so disappointing. It had virtually No competition with Silver on the rise and it still couldn’t get a bid.

    Bullion ASE’s are 20% above record pace with 2 months in the books. The February sales for ASE’s were the most for any February.

    Bullion pucks Will do the same once the AP’s get their prices right.

    All you guys that own Bullion pucks from the past should relish the thought of selling 120k bullion pucks…

  8. earthling says

    I really like the Eagle on the reverse of this H.R. Coin. It’s a truly majestic work of Art.

    I might have to carry my Coin around just so I can look at it. Maybe I need to get it slabbed or just keep it in capsules?

    This is the payoff for being a Coin Nerd. Being able to get a spirtual lift from the Artistry of our Coins

  9. Jeff says

    Stick a fork in this pig, it’s obvious everyone that wanted one had more than enough time. Which tells me since no sell out , no one wanted any more .

  10. GoldFishin says

    @Cag- from previous thread….Yes, still sealed….No

    @Tinto- Hawaii and Acadia, believe me they were terrible looking, you never would have bought them, I can’t believe somebody did, I have done a little study on counterfeits that are cast from a molds, even the good ones leave tell tale signs if you know what to look for, these were not good ones.

  11. says

    HERE WE GO…

    You Boys READY…?????

    50th Anniversary Kennedy 2014 Half-Dollar Silver Coin Collection MULTI (D)(P)(S)(W)

    91 Item(s) In Stock

  12. SmallPotatos says

    @Erik,
    I agree. The same thing happened to the 2000 Library of Congress BiMetallic uncirculated, and they eventually rose up to be a nice investment coin!

  13. fmtransmitter says

    Hello to all the “coin nerds”…Keeping that HR gold in your pocket? Get the NGC scratch resistant slab for it IMHO…I got some cool bullion I carry around for luck. The silver dice are one my favorites…Cheers all…

  14. cagcrisp says

    Lou down to 28
    Mamie down to 31
    Kennedy 2014 Silver down to 89

    Even though the Ladies have an almost “insurmountable lead”, I’m going to bet on the Kennedy Silvers…

  15. Joe #2 says

    If a lot of the old timers were still around during the Kennedy administration, I’m sure Jackie O FS would have been sold out. Still the #1 for me. The mint imo did a gorgeous job on her.

  16. Larry says

    @ZAZ – I thought things were pretty boring too. However, my Shawnee P luck came today. The only word I can think of is stunning. I was blown away. The detail in the eagle is amazing. You can hardly notice it on the regular quarter. The 3D effect of the rest of the coin is something else. Buy o n e, I don’t think you will be disappointed. I think this is my new favorite puck. Anyone else get there’s yet?

  17. Goat says

    @cagcrisp ;
    Yes and NO . Complete would not happen , we were only to have one per household . I think in 70 grade this will hold a high premium ( I know the market may dip some but thats time to buy in) . The reason for this statement is the 2004 W – 2008 W proof and mint uncirculated , these APE still hold a high premium as of today . Fractionals hurt this series bad as well for the Buffalo gold . I thought it would be time to buy more 2004 W – 2008 W proof and uncirculated since platinum prices fell past $1000 and is lower price per ounce than gold for the fisrt time in many years , but those dates still command high premium . I do think APE coins are sleepers if coin collecting is a need in the future .

  18. Dustyroads says

    Larry, I’m glad to hear it. Mine’s still bouncing around in a truck somewhere South of Dallas.

  19. says

    C’mon Guys…, time to wrap this puppy up!

    Under 225,000.., isn’t that way low for a Kennedy anyway?

    50th Anniversary Kennedy 2014 Half-Dollar Silver Coin Collection

    87 Item(s) In Stock

  20. says

    Dusty – my Shawnee shipped via DUMBPOST arrived yesterday- that’s Memphis to DC in less than week…, It’s a good looking Puck! Though if FEDEX keeps it up, I guess I won’t be calling it DUMBPOST any longer.. 😉

    TWT

  21. Tinto says

    @GoldFishin

    Thanks for the info. I wonder if there will be more refined fakes of these lower mintage ones in the future especially if the Mint cranks up the mintages of new releases to 100k+ on a regular basis from now on and the low mintage ones start to (maybe) appreciate in price ….

  22. Dustyroads says

    KCSO, I’ve been happy with DUMBPOST maybe twice, the rest of the time it’s lived up to it’s name. Oh well…
    If I was to work for the Mint, I would definitely chose to make people happy and would therefor send it Priority mail, 3 day, expedited, anything faster.

  23. Dustyroads says

    Woohoo, 84 Kennedy sets left.

    It’s time to say Audios, this pinata has been beaten enough.

  24. Yes, But...You Can't Take It With You. says

    Cag, from previous post: Yes, I still have a 2015 APE. No, I’m not selling it. Ever.

  25. says

    WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Shawnee National Forest 2016 Uncirculated Five Ounce Silver Coin

    51 Item(s) In Stock

    YEAH, that’s 51

  26. data dave says

    Shawnee – Looks like the initial run is running out quickly. Probably be playing games with NA, BO and count down status for the next 6 months. O they could say the heck with it and declare a sell out in order to get buyers off their butts for the next one!

  27. data dave says

    A little data to share on the Pucks. From 11/4/14 to 3/1/16 (17 months) here are the bullion pucks that had the biggest price increase on APMEX (for a single):
    Smokey Mts – 120%
    El Yunque – 67%
    Homestead – 55%
    Sand Dunes – 55%
    Gettysburg – 52%
    Shenandoah – 50%
    White Mt – 46%
    Chaco Culture – 44%
    By year:
    2015 – 38% (using $108 as base price)
    2014 – 55%
    2013 – 22%
    2012 – 13%
    2011 – 27%
    2010 – 8%
    Total – 22%

    The two most expensive have actually dropped, Hawaii by 7% and Acadia by 8%.

  28. cagcrisp says

    Currently on the countdown clock:

    2016 Shawnee P puck 49
    2014 Kennedy Silvers 85
    2014 Harding FS Unc 97
    2014 Coolidge FS Unc 77
    2014 Hoover FS Proof 28
    2015 Eisenhower FS Proof 31

  29. cagcrisp says

    @KCSO, your analysis of Projected Sales of the Shawnee P puck took a hit with the countdown clock. The Only way that I could see hitting the numbers you had Projected was IF the Mint produced a boatload of the Shawnee P’s just like they inadvertently did of the Homestead (Still Available).

    It’s looking more and more like a stoppage in the 17,500 area…

  30. says

    Cag –

    Who would have thought the initial run of Shawnee P’s is around 15,500???

    After the success of Saratoga? Really???

    What are they thinking (and doing) at the mint?

    I still think Shawnee will end up in the 18,000 range +|- 5%

    If you want one now, you had better get it, no telling how long it’ll sit CU and the BO.

  31. says

    One thing for 2016 has become VERY APPARENT-

    When it comes to numismatic offerings, the mint has become very conservative.

    Thus far, every popular offering has gone BO quite quickly.

    Almost to a point of striking under initial demand and then probably striking in batches as demand warrants or is perceived.

    With that said, if you want a NPS 3-coin set, you may want to posture yourself for poll position.

  32. data dave says

    @KCSO – I agree that if you want something you better go for it. The mint is very erratic with their inventory right now. I ordered a second Saratoga puck on 2/9 (during a countdown) but I guess they really didn’t have it so my order is listed as back order. I doubt if I will see it, but since its not critical I really don’t care. I used to wait on what I wanted to try to save on shipping, but I am almost afraid to do that now. I think this will definitely hurt their overall sales, but maybe their metrics have changed to only measure product leftover.

  33. gatortreke says

    I’ve been meaning to ask for quite sometime and I apologize if this has been discussed in other threads and I’ve missed it:

    Where do you find the Remaining Items in Stock numbers on the U.S. Mint site? I see people here posting numbers and I have no idea where they come from. Thanks in advance!

    Re: the HR Liberty coins, I like the design so much I did my part and bought a couple of the coins. I’ll definitely be a buyer of multiple HR Liberty silver medals when they become available as well.

  34. data dave says

    With respect to the ATB quarter set, only 39K after two starts? Definitely looking at a new low for this product. In fact they really should dump the quarter sets next year and just have people buy the full set (since the dollars are going away anyway). I hope they drop the price of the full set by more than $3 next year but I guess they don’t make any money on these sets anymore. The only good news is that the dealers have stopped buying proof and mint sets so if they ever become popular again you might get your money back.

  35. FLKeith says

    gatortreke, add more to your shopping bag than they have and it will show available inventory. Example, add 99 of Shawnee to your bag.

  36. Zaz says

    @KCSO–

    My sentiment exactly. NPS will pump some life into the tired old girl and drum up LIMITED sales so get in line early on the 24th. They have shown their 2016 hand early in being relatively uninterested in under < $500 sales per order. Thus, the frequent occurrence of the BOs and CUs. They are seemingly thumbing their noses at loyal long time customers. As for Shawnee, the first week's P sales weren't at all a surprise, a total allocation of 150K per design will give pause and chase off some collectors as expected.

    Here are my first batch NPS predictions:
    16CA — 4,000
    16CB — 2,500
    16CC — 17,500
    16CD — 5,000
    16CE — 7,500
    16CF — 4,000
    16CG — 1,500

    They should go quickly to back order on the 24th if the Mint has used the first batch numbers from MT.

  37. Brad says

    Yeah, it beats the old days of always wondering where a product stood until the red backorder notice appeared! If there’s a product you’re interested in but not yet ready to buy, just add 100 of them to your cart and let them sit there. Then check your cart periodically throughout each day to see if the quantity left gets below 100. That’s what I do. I have 100 of the Pat Nixon Proof and Unc coins in my cart, waiting to see if they fall below 100. If they do, I’ll go ahead and buy just in case. I know there will most certainly be a second batch, but the way things are anymore I can’t take any chances!

  38. Dave SW FL says

    KCSO

    Thanks for the heads up on the P puck. Playing the FILO inventory game and hoping for an early strike. The count was 25 when I ordered. We will see how it plays out. Ordered enough to avoid dumbpost, so should know soon!

  39. cagcrisp says

    @Brad, New clock started today. IF spot stays Strong, the decision is going to be made for you. It doesn’t appear you are going to get a break…

  40. Brad says

    Cag,

    Yeah, I was seeing that. I’ll definitely buy before ANOTHER price increase may take effect.

  41. Dave SW FL says

    Golden cross on the gold chart now apparent – 50 day through 200day moving average and popping. Nice tight pennant breakout to the upside will confirm Thanksgiving – New Years was the bottoming process completing. 1225 is still my critical point for gold to hold up at. ( I know, poor grammar!).
    Gold is still being preferred over silver.

  42. NC Stacker says

    Now the Shawnee “P” mint 5 oz. silver shows just 2 left.

    Bueller, Bueller……..

  43. Zaz says

    Anybody pick the Tricky Dick coin & medal set today? Not that it’s exciting either…

  44. earthling says

    When I see the coin and medal set in a bargain bin, for around $1.25, I might finally get one. Not on my priority list.

    Not on any list… not even my junk list.

  45. John Q. Coinage says

    I got a roll of Shawnee bullions for $961= only 6 1/2 of the mint models……dealer offered only $15 more for the mint style (over spot…)

  46. Hidalgo says

    Those of you who rushed out to buy the remaining Shawnee 5 ounce silver P coins because of declining availability numbers have taken a risk… Of course, coin flipping wouldn’t be exciting unless there was some uncertainty in what the US Mint does….

    Remember what happened with the Saratoga 5 ounce coins? Back on, back off, back on…..

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