Mint runs again, for a while

Monday, Nov. 29, 1999 | 8:06 a.m.

The special minting was supposed to last for five hours, but 400 silver coins were minted and sold in less than two hours.

Dozens of people were still waiting in line when supplies ran out.

But event organizer Maxine Nietz said silver and bronze coins will be available through the mail and should be delivered in time for Christmas.

The museum started life as a U.S. Branch Mint during the Comstock mining boom in nearby Virginia City. Millions of gold and silver coins were struck there from 1870 to 1893.

Expert minter Don Schmitz manned coin press No. 1 Saturday, striking the silver coins, which bear an artist design on the front and the press logo on the back.

Each coin was one ounce of 0.999 fine silver and priced at $25. Bronze one-ounce millennium coins will be available for $3.50.

Proceeds from coin sales will benefit the Carson City Countdown to the Millennium Committee to finance a weeklong family celebration Dec. 27 to 31.

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