Coin demand on the rise

Demand for Canadian circulation coins increased 27% to more than one billion pieces in 1992. Most of the increase is due to public interest in the 25-cent and $1 coins of the Canada 125 coin program, the Royal Canadian Mint says in its annual report.

Sales of minting services to foreign countries posted an increase of about 80%, says the Mint. Almost 780 million coins were produced from 16 different countries, compared with 435 million coins produced in 1991. Sales of the gold Maple Leaf coin rose 24% to 510,000 oz.

in 1992.