NEW YORK: US Mint American Eagle gold coin sales in January rose from December but were the lowest for that month since 2008, as a rally in prices discouraged collector buying in what is typically a period of peak demand, data showed on Friday. The US Mint sold 81,000 ounces of gold bullion coins this month, down from 91,500 ounces in the first month of last year and the lowest since 2008 when 26,000 ounces were sold. Sales were still more than four times December’s total of 18,000 ounces. Silver also had a slow start to the year, with 5.53 million ounces sold in January, more than double December´s total but the lowest for January since 2010. US sales tend to be highly seasonal, with the strongest performance at the start of the year as investors seek the most-recent mintage, and the fourth quarter usually being the quietest of the year. Spot bullion had its best month in three years as the oil and base metals rout and the euro-zone instability have reignited its appeal to investors even as the dollar remains strong and the US Federal Reserve reins in its years-long stimulus program.
