In the first quarter, the Mint sold 694 million ounces of coins.

It said that between April and August 1989, one market worker sold undercover investigators more than seven ounces of cocaine.

Told it was $4, the man said, "Then just sell me two ounces of turkey and throw in two slices of bread."

The two were convicted of selling four ounces of cocaine near Albany in 1983.

In January 1987, he was arrested for trying to sell 10 ounces of cocaine to an undercover police officer.

Jokes go only so far in selling five ounces of shave gel for $12, so there is a second strategy.

Finally, the mint was expected to sell 100,000 ounces of the coins over the next year - which would push prices up more.

Macy's is selling 14 ounces of beluga for $238.95 and sevruga for $104.95.

Online, Penzeys sells 1.25 ounces for $2.39: (800) 741-7787 or www.penzeys.com.

She has only sold 2 ounces of acid drops and a pennyworth of mint rock in 7 weeks.