There have been numerous recent reports about the surging demand for physical gold. It has been mostly concentrated in Europe, but there have also been signs of new waves of demand hitting the U.S.

This is a big shift from earlier this year. For the first two months of 2010, the Austrian Mint had reported that Gold Philharmonic sales had dropped 80% from the year ago levels. Similarly, the Royal British Mint had reported a drop in demand of about 50% through the end of the first quarter.

What a difference a crisis makes.

Recently, the Austrian Mint reported that they had sold more coins in two weeks than the entire first quarter, citing demand “exclusively from Europe.” Swiss refiner Argor-Heraeus has estimated that demand for small gold bars and refined products has jumped tenfold compared to the start of the year.

On the US front, sales have strengthened in recent weeks, but there hasn’t been the surging demand seen in 2008, which prompted repeated suspensions and bullion rationing programs.

For the month to date, the US Mint has sold 81,000 of their one ounce Gold Eagle bullion coins. This already tops the prior month total of 60,500. One ounce Silver Eagle bullion coins have sold 2,381,000 coins for the month to date, nearing last months total of 2,507,500. The newly released one ounce 24 karat Gold Buffalo has sold 54,000 coins for the month. The coins debuted on April 29, 2010, making prior month comparisons less meaningful.