The United States Mint warned customers Sunday it may temporarily remove silver coins from sale as it evaluates pricing adjustments, hours before silver hit a record high above $89 per ounce.
The Mint sent an email to customers citing rising metals costs and the need to update prices across all numismatic products. Silver reached $91.51 on Monday, an all-time high, while gold climbed above $4,640.
“Rapidly rising silver prices may result in silver numismatic products being temporarily removed from sale while pricing is updated,” the Mint said in its customer notice. “We are working expeditiously to update pricing in order to maintain product availability.”
The warning comes as the Mint faces an unusual pricing problem. Bullion dealers currently charge $98 to $100 for one-ounce American Silver Eagle coins, yet the Mint’s own collectible proof versions sell for $95 and uncirculated versions for $91.
That relationship is backward. Numismatic versions typically carry premiums far higher than bullion issues because of their collectible value and limited production.
The 2025 Proof American Silver Eagle went on sale January 9, priced at $95, set when silver traded around $30.30 per ounce. That price remains unchanged despite silver nearly tripling in value over the past year. Silver stood at $29 per ounce in January 2025.
Related: Silver, not gold, could be the bigger 2026 swing
The Mint has historically moved quickly to raise prices when metals advance but shown less urgency in reducing them when prices fall. That pattern broke over the past year as silver surged to multiple records without corresponding price increases from the Mint.
Bullion Silver Eagles are not available for purchase directly from the Mint. Instead, authorized dealers buy them wholesale and sell them to collectors at premiums above the silver’s melt value. Those dealer markups have increased in recent days.
The Mint has yet to release any 2026-dated numismatic silver coins. Its current silver offerings include Morgan and Peace silver dollars, along with various proof sets.
The silver surge has been driven by geopolitical uncertainty, Federal Reserve policy questions, and rising industrial demand. The metal has been in a supply deficit for five consecutive years.
Gold adjusts prices for its numismatic products at least weekly in response to market movements. The Mint said it would notify customers once pricing updates are complete.
Information for this story was found via the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
