The amount of U.S. coins produced for circulation in November topped one billion for a tenth month in a row, but the monthly pace was the slowest since January, according to the latest manufacturing figures published by the United States Mint.
A touch over 1.1 billion coins made their way into circulation last month, marking declines of 9% from October and 5.2% from November of last year. Here’s how the month compares to others in the past year:
November 2020 to November 2021 Circulating Coin Production
| Month | Mintages | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| November 2021 | 1,104.7 M | 11 |
| October 2021 | 1,213.86 M | 5 |
| September 2021 | 1,169.28 M | 7 |
| August 2021 | 1,187.32 M | 6 |
| July 2021 | 1,505.24 M | 1 |
| June 2021 | 1,348.60 M | 3 |
| May 2021 | 1,473.06 M | 2 |
| April 2021 | 1,320.28 M | 4 |
| March 2021 | 1,134.84 M | 10 |
| February 2021 | 1,163.40 M | 9 |
| January 2021 | 919.52 M | 12 |
| December 2020 | 903.50 M | 13 |
| November 2020 | 1,165.10 M | 8 |
The Federal Reserve orders more 1-cent coins from the U.S. Mint than any other denomination even as available data shows it costs 1.76 cents to make and distribute each one. The Mint made 666 million Lincoln cents last month, representing 60.3% of the circulating-quality coins produced.
Month-Over-Month
In month-over month comparisons for coins used daily by Americans, production totals in November saw:
- 4.7% fewer Lincoln cents,
- 39.2% more Jefferson nickels,
- 28.3% fewer Roosevelt dimes, and
- 20.8% fewer quarters.
Native American $1 coins and Kennedy half-dollars are no longer ordered by Federal Reserve Banks, but they are still made in circulating quality for coin collectors. Often in January, the U.S. Mint strikes both coins to the expected amounts needed for the entire year.
That wasn’t the case for 2021 halves. Mint data shows none were produced until February, and then only 1.6 million from Denver. Philadelphia finally showed up in March at 1.9 million. Then in April, amounts for both facilities advanced by 5.2 million from Denver and 2.9 million from Philadelphia. In May, production increased by 900,000 from Denver and 300,000 from Philadelphia. Finally, the Philadelphia Mint in August produced another 300,000.
Together, the months add to a combined 13.1 million halves — the most for a year since 2001. Last year’s half-dollar ended with 3.4 million from Denver and 2.3 million from Philadelphia for a total of 5.7 million halves.
Published mintages of 2021 Native American dollars have remained unchanged since January with equal splits of 1.26 million from Denver and 1.26 million from Philadelphia for a combined 2.52 million coins. In contrast, the 2020 dollar saw 1.26 million for Denver and 1.4 million for Philadelphia for 2.66 million coins.
The U.S. Mint started selling rolls and bags of 2021 Native American dollars on Feb. 16. Rolls and bags of 2021 Kennedy half dollars debuted on May 11.
Here’s a summary of all circulating-quality coins produced last month:
US Mint Circulating Coin Production in November 2021
| Denomination | Denver | Philadelphia | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Cents | 340,000,000 | 326,000,000 | 666,000,000 |
| Jefferson Nickels | 58,560,000 | 53,040,000 | 111,600,000 |
| Roosevelt Dimes | 77,000,000 | 90,500,000 | 167,500,000 |
| Quarters | 97,400,000 | 62,200,000 | 159,600,000 |
| Kennedy Half Dollars | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Native American $1s | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 572,960,000 | 531,740,000 | 1,104,700,000 |
U.S. Mint plants in Denver and Philadelphia manufacture all of America’s coins for commerce. Last month, the Denver Mint made 572.96 million coins and the Philadelphia Mint made 531.74 million coins for the combined 1,104,700,000 coins.
YTD Totals
Year to date, the Denver Mint has struck 6,955,740,000 coins and the Philadelphia Mint has struck 6,584,360,000 coins for a total of 13,540,100,000 coins, which is 2.4% fewer than the 13,870,880,000 coins minted through the same period in 2020.
This next table lists coin production totals for 2021 by denomination and by U.S. Mint facility:
YTD 2021 Circulating Coin Production by Denomination
| 1 ¢ | 5 ¢ | 10 ¢ | 25 ¢ | 50 ¢ | N.A. $1 | Total: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 3667.2M | 770.88M | 1411.5M | 1097.2M | 7.7M | 1.26M | 6955.74M |
| Philadelphia | 3637.6M | 731.5M | 1277M | 931.6M | 5.4M | 1.26M | 6584.36M |
| Total | 7304.8M | 1502.38M | 2688.5M | 2028.8M | 13.1M | 2.52M | 13540.1M |
If the current production pace stretched through the end of December, based on a monthly average of 1.2 billion coins, the annual mintage for 2021 would top 14.7 billion coins. The U.S. Mint made over 14.77 billion coins for circulation in 2020.
Mintages by Unique Design
In addition to the Native American dollar, the U.S. Mint released (on Feb. 8) another coin with a one-year-only design — the 2021 Tuskegee Airmen quarter for Alabama. Its mintage remained unchanged in October.
This last table offers a breakdown of this year’s mintages that have been reported by coin design:
2021 Circulating Coin Production by Design
| Denver | Philadelphia | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Cent | 3,667,200,000 | 3,637,600,000 | 7,304,800,000 |
| Jefferson Nickel | 770,880,000 | 731,500,000 | 1,502,380,000 |
| Roosevelt Dime | 1,411,500,000 | 1,277,000,000 | 2,688,500,000 |
| Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site Quarter (Alabama) | 304,000,000 | 160,400,000 | 464,400,000 |
| George Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Kennedy Half-Dollar | 7,700,000 | 5,400,000 | 13,100,000 |
| Native American $1 Coin | 1,260,000 | 1,260,000 | 2,520,000 |
| Total | 6,162,540,000 | 5,813,160,000 | 11,975,700,000 |
There are 1,564,400,000 in quarters that the U.S. Mint has yet to officially assign to a design. These are 2021 George Washington Crossing the Delaware quarters. Not too many more, if any, will be made with the first 2022 American Women quarters soon to be released.
What would it take to change to a sensible group of coins to facilitate commerce? Merchants could list prices as they choose, but in a final cash transaction, the amount would be rounded to the closest??? quarter? Gas stations used to post prices to a tenth of a cent but we only paid to the closest penny and a gallon was 1/20th of today. We could circulate dollars and quarter dollars and save handling nonsense coins and production costs like Kaiser says!
Woa woa woa, ok good topic, as for Kia 99, gas stations still price gas to the .001 of a cent, purely for profit.. KW it’s not a brain freeze if you keep buying gold. Gold is right there, in your hand, to be disposed of at your very own discretion, of course, according to what spot price is at any given moment, in a time of your needs… So, to KW, is saving every penny a definition of insanity? Because saving money works. It all adds up.
Oh… gotcha, also I dont know how this thread about 1.1 billion coins produced got sidetracked, but I guess it did. ok 🙂 KW I always say, it takes longer to think about a problem, rather than just solve it.
Kaiser —
Just saw your posting. But re the Mint losing 0.76 cents on every penny minted, they are actually making it up on all of us collectors. I know they have on me.
— Mike
A bit late to the party, but anyway … My (unrounded) 2¢ is that despite its ubiquity, the quarter is the last coin that should be considered for retention. It’s not even a truly decimal coin because it’s not a multiple of 10, and of course was created only for compatibility with Spanish 8-reales pieces. It’s more a hybrid like the mixed-denomination 2½-shilling coin in Britain’s old £sd* system. Maybe we should do a partial clean-slate reform and have something like New Zealand with 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, and $2. Of course there’d be volcanic screeching about “traditions” not to… Read more »
A socialist coin is an oxymoron. Or as Groucho Marx once put it, “Military justice is to justice what military music is to music.”
Yes, any change will be hit with incredible resistance. If you don’t like my two bits, I could live with a 50 cent piece if it were smaller than the dollar coin, there is a good reason the current massive 50 cent piece doesn’t circulate!
fyi,appears last of the ASE 2021 “S” mint PROOF dollars is headed for a sellout….145 left and dropping as of 8PM PST. I went ahead and snagged another one since i decided to pass on unc. law enforcement dollar
Can i chime in? I on occasion collect commemorative coins (dollars) too.The problem is, in my opinion, what appears to be poor choices in subject and design for many of them. Yes, most of us jumped on the Morgan and Peace dollar bandwagon….they are very beloved coins. Again, with next years subjects i find them pretty ho hum…. In previous years i loved March of Dimes promotion, Mark Twain dollar, and the big Kennedy set etc. NOW when it comes to next years quarters and the ladies who will grace them…..that has me totally excited and i enrolled in their… Read more »
Valid observations! Rarity alone does not create value. Consider the “First Spouse” series. Most commemoratives have a short temporal appeal and the art work is seldom of a level that adds lasting appeal. Still I buy some that appeal to me; if I value the people or events and the coins become a representation of history. But isn’t it even more enjoyable when the coins you enjoy go up in value?
Absolutely
Any thoughts on the $5 Gold Commemorative coins… Do you think Rube Foster will be the new Jackie Robinson?
PICK YOUR HEROES CAREFULLY
Kaiz,
Your coinwordory is so elequent I’m shocked that you would buy into either party – even the most out of touch Dem lovers now know the whole thing is a mafioso Ponzi, Stong-Arm and Raid-The-Cookie_Jar SCAM – but I guess we all have to believe in something.
If your a FED recipient more power to you Bro but I’m sure not.
Jim Cramer “I coward’ under my desk on 911”
Mission Accomplished
The Truth Matters or Not
Read my Lips No New Taxes OK maybe
oops
LOOKY WHAT CAFFEINE MIKE CAME UP WITH
WOW, even comes with a pouch! That is the first reference I have seen of 2022 NGC “First Allocation” as opposed to the 2021 NGC “Advance Releases” and PCGS “Advance Release” release type designation. Wonder if NGC is replacing one for the other of will carry both types next year, similar to their NGC “Early Releases” and “First Release” which basically designate the same type of release. Sure to be a Money Maker.
… and yet another iteration of that trope for Sir Kaiser…
It’s all still the most corrupt Network of Mafioso Madness rooted with the US Mint and spreading like a plague via HSN NGC and all the other accomplices – the gift of a mere Ryder, resignation is their hope that the Dirty Deeds will continue unobstructed but I am here to make sure this is the beginning of their exposure leading to the end of their corruption. The sleeping giant is awakening in the rage of the people who can’t even ignore it with eye wide shut.
Apples and Oranges Kaiz, but it’s all Government corruption anyway you slice them and they are all dirty rotten scoundrels in my little world. Have you not noticed Brandon and Trumpy are vaccine warriors and Jan 6 never happened – just look a little harder and you will see thru the fog of fake parties……
HAPPY NEW YEARS
CHEERS TO SHUTTING DOWN THE US MINT AND NGC MAFIA OPERATION IN 2022 OR AT LEAST MAKING THEM ALL RESIGN
Ready to Ring in the New Year!
HERE LITTLE HOBBIT
Mostly, I just shoot to thrill.
Totally, Sir Kaiser! Ten Years After is one of the all-time best Rock N Roll bands. And keeping on topic, how about their song “The Hobbit.” And like the tune goes, I May Be Wrong But I Won’t Be Wrong Always…
Most excellent choice Sir Kaiser RIP Alvin but I really like the Strat on this one and I hope you will too – as I always suggest TURN IT UP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5DNEpmfvpo
Hells Bells Rich you always say the right thing
SENZA, What’s Words Worth?
Arnold says a waste of Ammo but if you ever ventured into a strip club in the 80’s you just had to love them
UNTIL NEXT TIME I ONCE AGAIN SALUTE YOU HINT THAT’S ME SIDE STAGE
Choices
When I was on a tour at the US Mint a few years ago, the mint guide told us that although the penny costs more than its face value, the government still makes plenty of money (in the millions) from the sales of all the other circulating coins to cover the losses. So there is no need to ax the penny, or the nickel.