Patna, Oct. 24: Citizens, for ensuring a Midas touch to all their efforts, flocked to jewellery stores and banks to buy gold and silver, and celebrated Dhanteras today.

Sources said while the sale of coins soared at jewellery stores, gold coins and bars found ready takers at banks.

Boring Road resident Ramesh Kumar, who bought an antique silver coin today, said: “These coins are purer. So, I bought some today. It is auspicious to buy precious metal on Dhanteras.”

Sources said the demand for silver coins and bars went north this year despite an increase in prices. Sonu Kumar, the owner of Swarnalaya Jewellers at Muradpur, said: “There is good demand for silver coins, especially the ones with antique value. Many people came in to buy silver coins.”

Those who were willing to loosen their purse strings further also bought gold.

Sources said the demand for auric coins was high as well. High prices were not a deterrent in this case either.

Umesh Mishra, the assistant general manager of the State Bank of India, Patna circle, said: “We have already sold 30kg gold this year. The bank will be open till 9pm. So, we expect to cross last year’s figure.”

He added that gold coins were sold at Rs 28,930 per gm.

Gold coins were also sold at ICICI and Axis banks. They, however, did not sell any silver.