Originally I thought that the economy might be picking up a bit, but it now seems more like the Mint’s production was so low that new coins are finally needed. I’m still finding loads of older-date coins and bills in circulation which would seem to indicate people have been going through drawers, couch seams, etc. to find any extra money that was squirreled away.

I’ve seen the same pattern in every recession. My wife even received a few common-date silver coins in change – OK for me but I feel bad for anyone who didn’t know what they were spending. They probably needed the 20X premium a lot more, Herman Cain’s opinions notwithstanding.