U.S. Mint Produces 644.86 Million Coins for Circulation in February

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Lincoln cents stacked on money
The United States Mint produced 644.86 million coins for circulation in February. 63.3% of them were Lincoln cents.

In February, the pace of striking U.S. coins for circulation slowed, according to manufacturing figures published by the United States Mint, and fell below the 1 billion mark for the sixth consecutive month after eight straight months above that level.

The U.S. Mint struck 644.86 million coins for commerce, including cents, nickels, dimes, quarters, and half dollars, registering drops of 14.7% from January and 38.8% from February 2023.

Here’s how the month compares to others in the past year:

February 2023 to February  2024 Circulating Coin Production

Month Mintages Rank
February 2024 644.86 M 9
January 2024 755.98 M 8
December 2023 151.8 M 13
November 2023 604.409 M 10
October 2023 501.911 M 12
September 2023 546.03 M 11
August 2023 1,030.38 M 7
July 2023 1,139.30 M 5
June 2023 1,297.18 M 2
May 2023 1,417.78 M 1
April 2023 1,250.32 M 3
March 2023 1,187.94 M 4
February 2023 1,054.16 M 6

 

The primary mission of the U.S. Mint is to manufacture coins in response to public demand. The Mint produces, sells, and subsequently delivers circulating coins to Federal Reserve Banks and their coin terminals to support their services to commercial banks and other financial institutions.

Even though it costs the Mint 3.07 cents to make and distribute each 1-cent coin, the Federal Reserve always orders more of them than any other denomination. In February, the Mint struck 408.4 million Lincoln cents, accounting for 63.3% of all circulating-quality coins produced for the month.

Month-Over-Month

In month-over-month comparisons for coins used daily by Americans, production totals in February saw:

  • 1.1% fewer Lincoln cents,
  • 14.3% more Jefferson nickels,
  • 35.1% fewer Roosevelt dimes, and
  • 33.5% fewer quarters.

Mintages of Native American Dollars and Kennedy Halves

The U.S. Mint also strikes other coins in circulating quality, namely half dollars and dollars. Native American $1 coins are no longer ordered by the Federal Reserve, but they are still made in circulating quality for coin collectors. The same was true for Kennedy half dollars until recently — years 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Usually, in January, the U.S. Mint produces both denominations to the expected amounts needed for the entire year. However, that has not been the case for Kennedy halves in each of the three prior years, as the Federal Reserve unexpectedly ordered millions more for circulation — roughly 12 million, 7 million, and 18 million in fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023.

It has not been disclosed whether any 2024 Kennedy half dollars will be produced for general circulation. Figures to date remain unchanged from January, showing this year’s halves at 2.9 million from the Denver Mint and 2.8 million from the Philadelphia Mint, for a total of 5.7 million coins. These figures compare to production runs in 2023 totaling 27.8 million from Denver and 30.2 million from Philadelphia, amounting to 58 million coins — the highest since 1983, when it reached 66.6 million.

Unlike the usual practice, the mintages of the Native American dollar changed in February instead of having already been completed for the year. This adjustment arose because none were reported minted in Denver in January. Totals through February now show the dollar’s mintages at 1.12 million from Denver and the same 1.12 million from Philadelphia, for a combined 2.24 million coins, exactly matching the splits and total in 2023.

On Jan. 29, the U.S. Mint started selling Denver- and Philadelphia-minted rolls, bags, and boxes of 2024 Native American dollars. On May 7, the bureau is expected to offer collectors rolls and bags of circulating 2024 Kennedy halves.

This next table shows 2024 circulating coin mintages by production facility, denomination, and design.

U.S. Mint Circulating Coin Production in February 2024

Denver Philadelphia Total
Lincoln Cent 168,400,000 240,000,000 408,400,000
Jefferson Nickel 15,120,000 17,520,000 32,640,000
Roosevelt Dime 34,600,000 43,500,000 78,100,000
Quarters 56,600,000 68,000,000 124,600,000
Kennedy Half-Dollar 0 0 0
Native American $1 Coin 1,120,000 0 1,120,000
Total 275,840,000 369,020,000 644,860,000

 

In the overall production totals for February, the Denver Mint produced 275.84 million coins, while the Philadelphia Mint produced 369.02 million coins, resulting in a combined total of 644.86 million coins.

For the year to date, the Denver Mint has struck 711.58 million coins, and the Philadelphia Mint has made 689.26 million coins, bringing the total to 1,400,840,000 coins. This is 37.9% fewer than the 2,254,620,000 coins manufactured during the first two months of 2023.

If the current production pace were to continue through December, the annual mintage for 2024 would reach 8.4 billion coins. In comparison, the U.S. Mint manufactured over 11.38 billion coins for circulation in 2023, marking the lowest output since 2012.

This next table lists coin production totals by denomination and by U.S. Mint facility:

YTD 2024 Circulating Coin Production by Denomination

1 ¢ 5 ¢ 10 ¢ 25 ¢ 50 ¢ N.A. $1 Total:
Denver 404.8M 29.76M 123M 150M 2.9M 1.12M 711.58M
Philadelphia 416.4M 31.44M 75.5M 162M 2.8M 1.12M 689.26M
Total 821.2M 61.2M 198.5M 312M 5.7M 2.24M 1400.84M

 

Lastly, U.S. Mint figures show that 312 million quarters have been manufactured since January. These are Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray quarters, with more yet to be minted. As a part of the Mint’s series of American Women Quarters™, the Murray quarter is the eleventh issue overall and the first of five for 2024. Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray quarters started circulating Jan. 2. On Feb. 1, the Mint released rolls and bags of them for sale to the public. Quarters commemorating the Honorable Patsy Takemoto Mink will enter circulation on March 25, with rolls and bags of them available from the Mint on March 28.

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Rick

Thank you Mike Unser, These charts & figures, while they can seem mundane and boring, can be informative and thought provoking. Something we have sorely missed over at MNB for a WHILE now.. Ok, so they’re below the Billion coins mark, but 645 M coins is no chump change either? And it’s just Feb….Look for millions & millions more coming down the pike.. Ok so it takes $.03 to make $.01 cent, got it. When will that madness ever end? The nickels? Yeah all of mine go into the copper jar, like the copper cents(Gresham’s Law).. The Kennedys, where are… Read more »

Rick

Well March technically, but anyway…

Major D

They’re only circulating coins if the Fed gives them to the banks. A few days ago, I asked for cent rolls from my bank and received $10 in shiny new Fed rolls. Unfortunately, the dates were all 2021. What in the world is the Fed doing sitting on 2021 coin rolls when there was a shortage? I still haven’t seen any 2024 coins of any denomination in the wild.

Frankie Fontaine

Been very active with 2024D coins, many cents prooflike, and nickels, then the other day I got a sharp dime @CVS Looked 24dl asked if they had a roll…yup….banks suck for getting rolls, Kroger, CVS, markets, homely cashiers, all places to score- rolls

Domenic Vaiasicca

So technically a one cent is a modern 3 cent piece… woohooo…lol. i think its time to give ol abe a retirement….that or change its metal

Government Drone

There’s no metal that would fix the penny; it’s the manufacturing costs that’re over $.01.

Some metals are out of consideration anyway; the US doesn’t like steel nor aluminum.

sharks2th

Stopped by the bank today while out running errands and asked if they had any Halves or two dollar bills. The teller said they had some Halves, but it was a whole box. I told him I’d take them. I figured I’d spend the evening going through them, but when I opened the box they were all 2023-D new Loomis rolls. That’s the first box of halves I’ve gotten in the last 10 years. I was surprised they were new. Usually the boxes are mixed. I’ve even gotten circulated proof Halves in boxes before. The other odd fact is I’m… Read more »

Rick

sharks2th said” “ I know years ago the Atlantic city slots used real coins.” They did(Quarters)the last time I went up to Central City & Black Hawk, CO after they allowed small stakes gambling. But that was around 1990 or so(man time flies) I guess that now qualifies for “years ago” lol… Brings up an old memory though, It was so long ago but I’m sure it happened? Someone can verify if I’m correct or not if you had a similar experience.. I was on a road trip with my parents from Scottsdale(long before it’s hype)to Las Vegas in 1973(I had… Read more »

sharks2th

@Rick – The last time I went to Atlantic city was over 24 years ago and I remember using quarters in the gaming machines there. This was one of those day trip excursions where you leave at 6am and get home at midnight.

As a side note I counted the faces on the rolls in the half box. 12 rolls were double obverses, 12 rolls were double reverses, and 26 rolls were one face and 1 tail. It’s funny this box hit the statistics perfectly with 50 heads showing and 50 tails showing.

c_q

1.1% fewer Lincoln cents oh golly really just stop making them already – this denomination is the most money-losing and least re-circulated. i’m quite sure everyone will adapt if we can just round transactions to nearest 5 cents, as many other countries have already done without too much hysteria. we can keep making them for collector sets and even mint circulated rolls provided they are sold at least as much as the cost of production, not face value. there aren’t many easy ways to save the government budget millions of dollars, but this has to be the lowest-hanging of fruit… Read more »

Tony@GA

Guys just had to share – at the car wash today and I always pick up pennys as I see them.

I got 3 today – AND – nabbed a 1956 D Wheatie in very good shape.

Been a long while since I happened up on anything of note!

Tony@GA

The picture!

image
sharks2th

Nice find!

CaliSkier

Thanks for the share and pic, Tony! I always like finding these little treasures in the wild.

3CE1ECA2-5098-4E42-8842-C4E2CA70CD26
E 1

Cali,

Still sitting on that 2014-S Enhanced Kennedy. If it is PL, then it is a waste of time. If it is DMPL, then it is big money. It is not a priority right now.

IMG_0587-Copy
CaliSkier

Thanks for response E1! Big, big difference according to the PCGS Price guide. That 2014 S Enhanced Silver Kennedy in MS70 is a $90 coin in PL and it’s an $1,850 coin in MS70 DMPL. Boy, that would be something, if you happen to be holding a 70 DMPL. Pics can be deceiving, however yours(3rd coin from left) does, at the very least appear to be PL? Thx again. PS Sounds like, if you weren’t able to receive a DMPL Grade, the attached pic would apply. Still a cool coin if it’s “only” a PL IMO, regardless of submission fees.

4E32CE5F-A069-45D8-93E9-B09061A913C1
E 1

Cali,

Coin certification, currency certification, and stamp certification. Those are all cheap compared to Art Certification at $300 a pop minimum. Here is one that I have in the hopper right now (Salvador Dali). Authentication of any kind is a big money business. It always pays to be an expert in something and it takes decades to become an expert.

Cheers

Queens_Croquet_Grounds-Copy
E 1

JQC,

EFOs, I know you are an expert.

A “Double Eagle.”

Is it real or is it a fake?

Only a few exist. Contemplating authentication.

Please advise.

E1

IMG_0590-Copy
John Q. Coinage

Funny stuff! Savior Dali better get 2 certifications, the most forged painter in History….

E 1

JQC,

True dat. If it is a real Dali, it goes on the wall. If it is a fake, it goes in the fireplace. High risk, high reward. Those “Artful Dodgers.”

Great to have you here JQC!

Cheers

E 1

JQC, Any thoughts on the ‘Double Eagle”?

E 1

Scott 2541 EFO (1991)

1 of only 20 known to exist.

Is it real or is it a fake?

Any experts out there?

E 1

My EFO expert on the East Coast says “It is Genuine.”

Well, that is good news.

Cheers

Rick

I can’t find it except for the ‘Single Eagles’ If it’s the real deal and only 20?!…

The Eagle has Landed…

E 1

Copy that!

Rick

Are you taking applications for a Security Guard?
I’m looking to move to a warmer climate too.
I can be your driver, or perhaps a lawn care trustee? Your grass will always be green on YOUR side E1, c’mon man! (★‿★)

E 1

Rick,

Enticing offer. Its been cold and rainy here lately though. Due to the recent change in the demographics, there are dozens of buenos hombres to do my yard work and I only trust my own driving in this crazy town. You don’t want to drive here. Worst than snow. But, thanks for the offer Rick.

E 1

Any Currency Experts out there?

Is it real or is it a fake?

Contemplating authentication.

Please advise.

E1

E 1

Oops.

IMG_0594-Copy
CaliSkier

Not an expert, however after a little research, the bill is real. Are you wondering if it’s an error(cutting) or miscut sheet? I’m fairly confident that this is the top left(A1) bill, from an uncut(32?) currency sheet(originally), sold as a souvenir by the BEP. Then it was cut like this by somebody(?),“after” receiving the whole “uncut sheet”. Real, yes, error, no. Someone feel free to correct me if I’m incorrect. “32-subject uncut sheets Uncut sheets of 32 subjects were first sold in 1981, and are still sold today in all denominations except the $1. In most cases, the uncut sheets… Read more »

40F520D2-5F79-4A7B-AC19-79C34ADE53F3
Rick

Somehow I knew you would chime in Cali !!
Thanks for the background, my guess was just a guess..

This is why you are “CaliPedia” Respectfully!

E 1

Cali,

Wow! Darn it! I can’t leave this to anyone in my family. I kind of thought it came from an uncut sheet. Been holding that thing for a long time. I shall personally cremate it in my fireplace tonight. Can’t be to careful. Thanks Cali. A great piece of info. Much appreciated.

Cheers

CaliSkier

Just to be clear E1, the bill is real and legal tender. You could just spend it or take to your bank and then exchange or deposit. The bills contained on uncut currency sheets are legal tender and can be cut and spent technically, by the purchaser or secondary market owner.

Rick

It looks pretty real to me?(no expert)..I guess it would depend on the amount of errors that they let go? Is it an error from one sheet? Or one of hundreds/thousands of sheets that slipped by? Only a guess but my guess is that it’s fairly common, given it’s presentation holder…

The cashier at CVS will reject it..But it is indeed Legal Tender IMO..

Rick

E1,
You may just have a shot, very similar to my coin…
It was you, and Cali that brought this very coin(below) to my attention a few months ago…
I had to have it, right down to the tiny carbon spot between his ear and the ‘T’, in his hair…
It is my favorite Kennedy coin that’s in my limited Kennedy collection…
Thanks for the recommendation to check it out, as usual…

https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/2014-s-50c-enhanced-silver-50th-anniversary-set-dmpl/535117/70

E 1

Rick,

They look pretty close. Maybe I should send it in. If it goes anywheres, it goes to PGGS. NGC does that “star”, “W”, and “+” thing when they should just simply give it a DMPL or a DCAM.

Cheers

CaliSkier

Major D suggests in a previous thread: “I recommend searching the Coin News articles if you ever want to know the release date pricing. They go back pretty far.” When attempting to find out an “Original Government Price/Original Issue Price”(OIP/or OGP, BTW, OGP is most often used for, “Original Government Packaging). Thanks Major D for chiming in and definitely one of the top 2-3 ways, of finding out the OIP. Another I often use is a search(search engine) for the product adding “US Mint Press Release” at the end of the search criteria. Also, another way to possibly find, is… Read more »