The U.S. Mint was less active in September, producing fewer circulating coins for a third straight month as levels fell toward those from May, according to the latest data.
The pace was off 7.2 percent from August and down 24.9 percent from June — the busiest month in 2010 when the United States Mint had capped a string of four consecutive monthly increases.
Two significant milestones were achieved last month. 2010 Lincoln cents topped the 3 billion marker. And with pennies as the major contributor, 2010 coin production surpassed 5 billion coins. September also saw updated production figures for America the Beautiful Quarters™.
Matching August, two denominations were not minted in September. Kennedy Half Dollars continued their silence which began in February. Native American Dollars have not been produced since their last run at Denver in June. The following coin production tables illustrate:
September 2010 US Mint Circulating Coins Production
| Denver | Philadelphia | Total | |
| 2010 Lincoln Cents | 256,800,000 | 170,800,000 | 427,600,000 |
| 2010 Jefferson Nickels | 49,680,000 | 35,040,000 | 84,720,000 |
| 2010 Roosevelt Dimes | 86,500,000 | 44,000,000 | 130,500,000 |
| 2010 Quarters | 5,800,000 | 5,000,000 | 10,800,000 |
| 2010 Kennedy Half Dollars | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 Native American $1s | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 Presidential Dollars | 26,180,000 | 10,220,000 | 36,400,000 |
| Total | 424,960,000 | 265,060,000 | 690,020,000 |
Jefferson nickel monthly totals increased over August, 84.72 million versus 53.28 million. All others coin totals dipped, although breakouts by Mint facility were reversed significantly. Far more Denver cents, dimes and Presidential $1s were produced in September than in August, while the Philadelphia Mint slowed drastically in September for the three coin types.
Although coin production plunged, September’s output reached just above 690 million to rank as the fourth best month in 2010. It fell 53.76 million from August, marking the second biggest monthly decline this year.
2010 Monthly Mintage Totals
| January | February | March | April |
| 218.41 M | 194.40 M | 384.42 M | 451.96 M |
| May | June | July | August | September |
| 657.22 M | 918.94 M | 772.08 M | 743.78 M | 690.02 M |
5,031,230,000 coins were manufactured from January to September 2010. The total easily tops the 3.5 billion produced during all of 2009 — a time when the American recession was at its worst and fewer coins were needed. However, it is just about half the 10.1 billion coins struck in 2008.
The following is a breakout of U.S. Mint published mintages by coin design:
2010 YTD Coin Production by Design
| Denver | Philadelphia | 2010 Total | |
| Lincoln Cents | 1,562,800,000 | 1,622,430,000 | 3,185,230,000 |
| Jefferson Nickels | 147,360,000 | 182,880,000 | 330,240,000 |
| Roosevelt Dimes | 409,500,000 | 446,000,000 | 855,500,000 |
| Hot Springs National Park Quarters | 34,000,000 | 35,600,000 | 69,600,000 |
| Yellowstone National Park Quarters | 34,800,000 | 33,600,000 | 68,400,000 |
| Yosemite National Park Quarters | 34,800,000 | 35,200,000 | 70,000,000 |
| Grand Canyon National Park | 35,400,000 | 34,800,000 | 70,200,000 |
| Kennedy Half Dollars | 1,700,000 | 1,800,000 | 3,500,000 |
| 2010 Native American $1 | 42,980,000 | 32,060,000 | 75,040,000 |
| Fillmore Presidential $1 | 36,960,000 | 37,520,000 | 74,480,000 |
| Pierce Presidential $1 | 38,360,000 | 38,220,000 | 76,580,000 |
| Buchanan Presidential $1 | 36,540,000 | 36,820,000 | 73,360,000 |
Mintage figures for the Hot Springs quarter and Grand Canyon quarter increased over August, driven higher by bulk bag purchases through the Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters™ Bulk Purchase Program. The service, introduced in June, offers businesses the opportunity to buy quarters in quantities of 200,000 for $50,000, plus a 3% processing fee. The program offers an option to purchase previously released quarters that are no longer shipped, which has happened.
10 million more Hot Springs National Park Quarters were minted in September, with 5 million each in Denver and Philadelphia. Denver minted Grand Canyon National Park Quarters increased by 800,000.
The minting of new quarters whose striking time has already passed sets a bad precedent. That should not have been allowed to happen.
Looks like the Lincoln “Gold” Dollars’ mintages will be 39.2M for Denver and 39.9M for Philly. Does anyone feel that these will have collectablity at these mintage levels?
The U.S. mint does not seem to be concerned about perceived value of the products they sell. They place a premium on the items, often much more than they will eventually be worth, and now they are going back to mint additional ATB quarters! I guess after the 2009 dime debacle, they want to ensure that premium is only paid to the mint rather than to collectors!