Mint Stats: Numbers compiled during hurricane

The Mint made a huge effort on behalf of Numismatic News readers to update sales figures for this weekly column despite being closed with the rest of the federal government for two days because of Hurricane Sandy. I am grateful.

Bullion saw some strange movements. Who would pick 5-ounce 2012 silver bullion coins to get frisky as other things slowed down? Buyers took more of four of the five designs. Only Chaco’s total was unchanged. Denali jumped by 7,000 pieces. The others moved in smaller amounts. As might be expected by looking at the numbers that were updated, movement was not large. I expect much of the Mint’s customer base was occupied with

preparations for the storm.

Buyers did grab 10,237 2012 clad proof sets, bringing the running total to 591,014. With the holidays around the corner, I expect demand will grow. Silver proof sets for 2012 rose by 3,789 to 318,374.

Because sales of Presidential $1 and First Spouse Medal sets for Chester Arthur have only just begun, the total increased 49 percent, or 498, to 1,523.

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