WASHINGTON(BullionStreet): US Mint announced record gold and silver coin sales in the first month of 2013.

The mint said American Eagle gold coins enjoyed their high sales of 140,000 ounces in January ,the most since July 2010, when 152,000 ounces were sold.

The US Mint also witnesses impressive silver coin sales as demand increased to the point that the mint had to suspend sales of its popular Silver Eagle bullion coins for almost the entire second half of the month in order to replenish supply.

The Mint resumed silver-coin sales on Jan. 28 after suspending them for more than a week because of a lack of inventory.

Total sales surged to 7.42 million ounces in January, the biggest monthly total since 1986.

Analysts said such exceptional sales attest to the confidence that precious metals provide investors, as well as to the potential for gold coins to profit and protect wealth.