A visiting U.S. Mint official toldreporters that American Eagle gold coins took the largest share
of the world bullion coin market in 1986 despite the fact sales
only began in October last year.
    She said the U.S. Coins accounted for 37 pct of the world
market share, against 31.9 pct for Canadian coins and 18.6 pct
for South African. She gave no sales volume figures for 1986.
    Sales of the U.S. Coins in the first six months of issue
totalled 2.32 mln ounces, exceeding the target of 2.2 mln in
the first year, she said.
    Japan alone has imported 140,000 ounces of the coins since
November, the official said, adding that the U.S. Mint sees
Japan as a major market.
    Sumitomo Corp and Tanaka Kikinzoku KK already distribute
the coins in Japan, she said. Nissho Iwai Corp has just been
appointed a distributor, she added.
    The U.S. Started issuing gold bullion coins, following the
ban on imports of South African Krugerrands to the U.S., In a
bid to offer investment grade coins to investors, the Mint said
in a statement.
 REUTER
