The US Mint has suspended sales of one-ounce silver and gold bullion American Eagle coins! Sales have been so strong that the reserves have run out, the Mint announced in a memo to their authorized bullion purchasers today:

The United States Mint has depleted its current inventory of 2009 American Eagle 1-0unce gold bullion coins due to the continued strong demand for this product.

Last year the US Mint took similar measures when faced with an avalanche of demand for bullion and suspended production of fractional gold coins. The Mint is attempting to find enough gold blanks to manufacture more coins to satiate investors.

A number of coin shops have reported difficulty finding gold Krugerrands this month as bullion demand skyrockets, and the South African government is shipping more.

The demand for gold coins is so strong that the US Mint had to stop sales of a number of different coins last year and this year because they ran out of blanks. They hope to begin minting some fractional bullion coins again December 3 that had been discontinued over the last two years. A spokesman for the Mint, Michael White, told the Wall Street Journal that

The demand is strong, but we also need to have the blanks to be able to do it.

The last few months have seen a huge growth in investor demand for proof and bullion coins. Investors like the easy liquidity of gold coins and have appreciated the record gains the metal has made this year.

Harrod's Sphinx isn't for sale, but gold bullion is.

Fashionistas may be heading to Harrod’s for Hermes bags but recessionistas may do themselves a favor by snapping up gold bullion. Yes, the famed department store is now selling gold bullion bars and seven gold bullion coins including the American Golden Eagle, the British Sovereign, and the Australian Kangaroo.

“For many people this is a new and unfamiliar asset class that demands absolute trust. Up until now, however, London has had no well-recognized name serving this market. Harrods saw the opportunity to help individuals buy physical gold in a prudent manner,” stated Chris Hall, the head of Harrod’s Gold Bullion.

Sales began yesterday and transactions have already started. Harrod’s has partnered with Swiss refiner Produits Artistiques Metaux Precieux to bring London shoppers the opportunity to pick up a few coins with a new gown.