Out of order?

Today is a day to catch up after four days of not being in the office. Numerous emails await my attention.

One caught my eye quickly. It was a question asked so nicely that I have to consider it a Christmas present.

It arrived on Sunday.

“Is the (U.S. Mint) website wrong? Under category Annual Coin Sets, 2012 United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Proof set (PE2) shows SOLD OUT, yet 2011 United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Proof set (PE1) is still available?

“Is this correct? I do have a subscription and did receive them in April, but wonder if this is right?

“Your columns in Numismatic News, which I believe are CARVED IN STONE do not show the 2012 as being SOLD OUT.”

I have to say thanks to the writer for pitching a question to me in a manner that boosts my confidence at year end.

The 2012 set has indeed sold out. It did so after I last checked the website.

I expect that the sellout of the 2012 is not quite so startling as the continuing availability of the 2011 set.

I guess we have to get used to situations like this as the Mint is rewriting its marketing approach, leaving some sets on sale much longer than they used to be.

At least the writer obtained his set and was not disappointed on this score.

Buzz blogger Dave Harper is editor of the weekly newspaper "Numismatic News."