Description
OPEN LETTER TO THE US MINT
July 4, 2026
Mr. Paul Hollis
Director, United States Mint
801 9th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20220
The Honorable Scott Bessent
Secretary of the Treasury
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20220
Re: Demand for Immediate Compliance with 31 U.S.C. § 5112(e) – Production and Issuance of American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins in Quantities Sufficient to Meet Public Demand
Dear Director Hollis and Secretary Bessent,
I am writing as a concerned American citizen, investor, and stakeholder in the United States monetary system to demand immediate and full compliance with the mandatory requirements of 31 U.S.C. § 5112(e), which governs the production and issuance of American Silver Eagle bullion coins.
The statute states, in relevant part:
"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall mint and issue, in qualities and quantities that the Secretary determines are sufficient to meet public demand, coins which— (1) are 40.6 millimeters in diameter and weigh 31.103 grams; (2) contain .999 fine silver; [and meet the other specified design and inscription requirements].”
This is a clear, non-discretionary congressional mandate. The American Silver Eagle program exists to provide the public with ready access to physical silver in a government-guaranteed form. As of the date of this letter, the United States Mint has failed to produce and make available Silver Eagle bullion coins in quantities sufficient to meet sustained public demand.
Reports indicate no meaningful production or sales of bullion Silver Eagles for approximately two months, despite exceptionally high demand driven by market conditions, investor interest, and ongoing physical silver shortages. This has resulted in persistent backlogs, allocation restrictions to authorized purchasers, and elevated premiums in the secondary market—direct evidence that current production levels do not satisfy the statutory requirement.
The law does not permit the prioritization of other numismatic or commemorative silver products (including those tied to the 2026 Semiquincentennial) over meeting demand for the core bullion Silver Eagle. Nor does it allow practical constraints, repricing exercises, or capacity allocations to override the "shall" obligation to issue coins sufficient to meet public demand as determined by objective market indicators.
I therefore demand the following immediate actions:
Ramp up production of 2026 American Silver Eagle bullion coins at all necessary Mint facilities to eliminate backlogs and fully satisfy current and foreseeable public demand without allocation limits or artificial restrictions.
Cease diverting silver blanks, production capacity, or other resources to non-bullion silver products until bullion Silver Eagle supply meets demand.
Provide a public report within 14 days of receipt of this letter detailing: (a) current and historical monthly production and sales figures for 2026 Silver Eagle bullion coins; (b) the Secretary’s determination of "sufficient" quantities and the data supporting it; and (c) a concrete plan and timeline to achieve full compliance.
Resume unrestricted sales/distribution through authorized purchasers immediately upon increased production.
Failure to comply with this statutory mandate undermines public trust, distorts the precious metals market, and contradicts the intent of Congress in establishing the American Silver Eagle program. I reserve all rights to pursue further remedies, including congressional inquiry, Freedom of Information Act requests, and any other lawful means to enforce compliance.
Please confirm receipt of this letter and provide a substantive response no later than July 18, 2026. I can be reached at bix@roadtoroota.com for any questions or to discuss compliance steps.
Sincerely,
Bix Weir
US Citizen
Note: This Open Letter can be copied and emailed to the US Mint & Treasury at the following contact information:
US Mint Email: usmint-support@usmcatalog.com
US Mint Phone: 1-800-872-6468
US Mint Bulk Purchase Program: 1-202-354-7462
press@treasury.gov
OIGCounsel@oig.treas.gov