What no one knows for sure, is where this silver is going.
Per US law, the US Mint must source its silver from DOMESTIC production. Well, what happens when US mint silver sales outpace domestic production? Is it possible the US Mint is actually draining silver from the COMEX in a massive amount?
Lets take a look at the details of 2010-2011 US silver production vs. US mint silver eagle sales.
As can be seen in the chart, US silver production during Q1 2011 has declined by 12% from US silver production during Q1 2010!
Last year's total silver production in the US was 38.6 million ounces.
If you project a 12% decline silver in production for the whole year, that would result in 2011 total US silver production of 33.97 million ounces.
Now lets look at US Mint Silver Eagle sales in Q1 2011 vs Q1 2010.
If you project a 12% decline silver in production for the whole year, that would result in 2011 total US silver production of 33.97 million ounces.
Now lets look at US Mint Silver Eagle sales in Q1 2011 vs Q1 2010.
| Month | One ( oz. / #coins ) |
| January | 6,422,000 6,422,000 |
| February | 3,240,000 3,240,000 |
| March | 2,767,000 2,767,000 |
Lets compare this to 2010 Silver Eagle sales through March
| Month | One ( oz. / #coins ) |
| January | 3,592,500 3,592,500 |
| February | 2,050,000 2,050,000 |
| March | 3,381,000 3,381,000 |
This means that Jan-March 2011 silver eagle sales are 38.2% greater than Jan-March 2010 silver eagle sales, while US silver production is down 12%!
Put another way, total US silver production is on pace for 33.97 million ounces of silver in 2011, while US Mint Silver Eagle sales are on pace for 49.7 million ounces in 2011!
Silver Eagle sales are on pace for 16 million (NEARLY 50%) ounces GREATER THAN ENTIRE US SILVER PRODUCTION IN 2011!!!
Where is the US Mint sourcing this silver deficit?
There are only 3 possible ways the US Mint can meet this shortfall.
1. Suspend sales. While this has been done temporarily, this is not a legal option for the mint as US law states that they must supply silver eagles in a quantity that meets public demand.
2. Import silver. This is not an option as US law states that US Mint silver must be from domestic sources.
3. Obtain the shortfall (16 million ounces for 2011) from COMEX inventories.
There is only one legal option for the US Mint- obtain this silver from the COMEX inventories.
If the US Mint is sourcing silver from the COMEX, good luck Blythe at getting the Mint to accept cash premiums. I wonder what a cash silver eagle looks like. Ok, maybe I shouldn't be giving them any ideas.
End users who are in desperate need of physical silver will not accept ANY cash premium. They need the physical.
Could the US Mint in fact be the culprit that is causing Blythe Blood to be flowing on the COMEX floor?
Put another way, total US silver production is on pace for 33.97 million ounces of silver in 2011, while US Mint Silver Eagle sales are on pace for 49.7 million ounces in 2011!
Silver Eagle sales are on pace for 16 million (NEARLY 50%) ounces GREATER THAN ENTIRE US SILVER PRODUCTION IN 2011!!!
Where is the US Mint sourcing this silver deficit?
There are only 3 possible ways the US Mint can meet this shortfall.
1. Suspend sales. While this has been done temporarily, this is not a legal option for the mint as US law states that they must supply silver eagles in a quantity that meets public demand.
2. Import silver. This is not an option as US law states that US Mint silver must be from domestic sources.
 |
| Cash Settlement Silver Eagle? |
There is only one legal option for the US Mint- obtain this silver from the COMEX inventories.
If the US Mint is sourcing silver from the COMEX, good luck Blythe at getting the Mint to accept cash premiums. I wonder what a cash silver eagle looks like. Ok, maybe I shouldn't be giving them any ideas.
End users who are in desperate need of physical silver will not accept ANY cash premium. They need the physical.
Could the US Mint in fact be the culprit that is causing Blythe Blood to be flowing on the COMEX floor?
