CANARY ALERT! Physical silver shortages confirmed by US Government!

As previously noted on this blog one of the canaries in the coal mine confirming silver supply is the U.S. Mint's ability to produce uncirculated silver coins, because by law the U.S. Mint must meet all bullion coin demand prior to producing non-bullion coins.  Since the production of all numismatic coins has been suspended this means one thing: SILVER SUPPLIES ARE INDEED LOW!  This news combined with reported COMEX silver levels, the Sprott Silver fund vault stock stock delay, validates the bear's story and makes one wonder if another 1000 ounces of physical is prudent at this time and at this price.  The canary says: "Chirp gasp, I can't breath" , so either a seed is cought it it's throat it might be time to extend the center most phalanges of your hand to "The Blythe" and buy a kilo or two more physical. Cheers!

According to the US Mint:

American Eagle Silver Uncirculated CoinProduction of United States Mint American Eagle Silver Uncirculated Coins continues to be temporarily suspended because of unprecedented demand for American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins. Until recently, all available silver bullion blanks were being allocated to the American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Program, as the United States Mint is required by Public Law 99-61 to produce these coins “in quantities sufficient to meet public demand . . . .

”Although the demand for precious metal coins remains high, the increase in supply of planchets—coupled with a lower demand for bullion orders in August and September—allowed the United States Mint to meet public demand and shift some capacity to produce numismatic versions of the American Eagle One Ounce Silver Proof Coin.

However, because of the continued demand for American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins, 2010-dated American Eagle Silver Uncirculated Coins will not be produced.

The United States Mint will resume production of American Eagle Silver Uncirculated Coins once sufficient inventories of silver bullion blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American Eagle Silver Coin products.

U.S. Mint Bullion Sales

US MINT American Bullion Coin Sales - November Update
(Does not include proofs in tally.  Note that proofs are only minted if bullion demands can be met - BY LAW)

                                                   November    Weekly Increase    2010 Totals**
American Eagle Gold 1 oz             31,500          24,000                 1,008,500
American Eagle Gold 1/2 oz          1,000              1,000                     40,000
American Eagle Gold 1/4 oz          2,000              2,000                     58,000
American Eagle Gold 1/10 oz        5,000              5,000                    385,000
American Buffalo Gold 1 oz          -                      -                 209,000/ Sold Out
American Eagle Silver 1 oz           1,590,000       1,335,000             30,220,500

U.S. Mint 2010 Gold / Silver Sales to Date

According to the US Mint the 2010-dated American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Bullion Coins inventory was depleted in September, with sales totaling 209,000.

Gold Eagle Sales (to date):

 

Silver Eagle Sales to date: