Coin production increased in October for the fourth straight month, according to U.S. Mint figures shared this week with CoinNews, reaching its highest level since August 2023 – the last time it surpassed 1 billion coins – while recording the 14th consecutive month below that threshold, after an earlier streak of eight months above it.
In October, the Mint produced 826.6 million coins for circulation, including cents, dimes, quarters, and half dollars. Dime production resumed after a three-month hiatus, while no nickels were struck for the fourth consecutive month and the sixth time this year. The monthly total reflects a 70.1% increase over September and a 64.7% rise compared to October 2023.
Here’s how the month compares to others in the past year:
October 2023 to October 2024 Circulating Coin Production
| Month | Mintages | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| October 2024 | 826.60 M | 1 |
| September 2024 | 486.00 M | 6 |
| August 2024 | 405.20 M | 7 |
| July 2024 | 235.20 M | 11 |
| June 2024 | 168.22 M | 12 |
| May 2024 | 396.08 M | 8 |
| April 2024 | 368.20 M | 10 |
| March 2024 | 332.70 M | 9 |
| February 2024 | 644.86 M | 3 |
| January 2024 | 755.98 M | 2 |
| December 2023 | 151.80 M | 13 |
| November 2023 | 604.409 M | 4 |
| October 2023 | 501.911 M | 5 |
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 October, the Mint produced 528 million Lincoln cents – the highest monthly total since matching that figure in May 2023 – accounting for 63.9% of all circulating-quality coins minted for the month and marking a 57.1% increase from September’s total.
Meanwhile, quarter production held steady at 150 million, unchanged from the previous month.
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. Nonetheless, this 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 have been produced for general circulation, although it is likely. Half dollar production figures changed in January (+5.7 million), March (+ 1.9 million), April (+2.6 million), May (+3.2 million), June (+4.9 million), July (+3.2 million), and October (+5.6 million) with the latest results showing 12.3 million coins from Philadelphia and 14.8 million from Denver, totaling 27.1 million. 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 were adjusted in February instead of being completed in January. This change was prompted by the absence of reported minting activity for the dollar in Denver throughout January. Since February, the total dollar mintage has remained at 2.24 million coins, with 1.12 million each from Denver and Philadelphia, matching the 2023 total.
On Jan. 29, the U.S. Mint started selling Denver- and Philadelphia-minted rolls, bags, and boxes of 2024 Native American dollars. On April 23, the bureau started offering 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 October 2024
| Denver | Philadelphia | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Cent | 220,000,000 | 308,000,000 | 528,000,000 |
| Jefferson Nickel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Roosevelt Dime | 44,000,000 | 99,000,000 | 143,000,000 |
| Quarters | 75,000,000 | 75,000,000 | 150,000,000 |
| Kennedy Half-Dollar | 3,200,000 | 2,400,000 | 5,600,000 |
| Native American $1 Coin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 342,200,000 | 484,400,000 | 826,600,000 |
In the overall production totals for October, the Denver Mint produced 342.2 million coins, while the Philadelphia Mint produced 484.4 million coins, resulting in the combined total of 826.6 million coins.
YTD Totals
Year-to-date, the Denver Mint has struck 2,308,400,000 coins, and the Philadelphia Mint has made 2,310,640,000 coins, for a combined total to 4,619,040,000 coins – the slowest ten-month start since CoinNews began reporting on monthly production figures in 2011. This marks a 56.5% decline compared to the 10,625,461,000 coins manufactured during the same period in 2023.
If the current production pace were to continue through December, the annual mintage for 2024 would reach 5.5 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 | 1,311.6M | 32.88M | 182M | 766M | 14.8M | 1.12M | 2,308.4M |
| Philadelphia | 1,322M | 36.72M | 191.5M | 747M | 12.3M | 1.12M | 2,310.64M |
| Total | 2,633.6M | 69.6M | 373.5M | 1,513M | 27.1M | 2.24M | 4,619.04M |
Mintages for 2024 Celia Cruz Quarters
In addition to the 2024 Native American dollar with its one-year-only design, the U.S. Mint has also released all five issues for 2024 from their four-year program of American Women Quarters™. These four coins represent the 11th through 15th releases in the series, each featuring a unique design.
The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray quarter, the first quarter design for this year, began circulating on Jan. 2. On Feb. 1, the Mint made rolls and bags of the quarter available for purchase by the public. First reported in March figures and unchanged since, a total of 354.2 million Murray quarters were minted, with 185.8 million coming from Denver and 168.4 million from Philadelphia.
Patsy Takemoto Mink quarters entered circulation on March 25, and on March 28, the U.S. Mint began selling rolls and bags of them to the public. The latest figures show Patsy Takemoto Mink quarter mintages at 187.2 million from Denver and 210.2 million from Philadelphia, for a combined 397.4 million.
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker quarters entered circulation on June 3, and on June 17, the U.S. Mint started selling rolls and bags of them to the public. The latest figures show Dr. Mary Edwards quarter mintages at 159.4 million from Denver and 141.2 million from Philadelphia, for a combined 300.6 million. This marks the lowest mintage total for any quarter in the series to date. In terms of production by facility across the series, both the 2024-P and the 2024-D also rank as the scarcest.
For the first time, the U.S. Mint has released mintage figures for the Celia Cruz quarter. Cruz quarters entered circulation on Aug. 5, with U.S. Mint rolls and bags of them offered to the public on Aug. 7. According to the latest data, Celia Cruz quarter mintages stand at 156.2 million from the Denver Mint and 149.6 million from the Philadelphia Mint, for a combined total of 305.8 million. This represents the second-lowest combined mintage total for any quarter in the series, with the Dr. Mary Edwards Walker quarter still holding the lowest overall total. Notably, the 2024-P Celia Cruz quarter is now the scarcest in the series from the Philadelphia Mint, with a mintage of 156.2 million. Conversely, the 2024-D Dr. Mary Edwards Walker quarter remains the scarcest in the series from the Denver Mint, with a mintage of 141.2 million.
CoinNews also received mintage figures for this year’s final quarter design, featuring Zitkala-Ša. However, these figures are likely preliminary. Zitkala-Ša quarters entered circulation on Oct. 21, and on Oct. 28, the U.S. Mint began selling rolls and bags of them to the public. The provided data shows 77.4 million quarters struck in Denver and 77.6 million in Philadelphia, for a combined total of 155 million.
2024 Circulating Coin Production by Design
This last table offers a breakdown of this year’s mintages that have been reported by coin design, including the first three quarters:
| Denver | Philadelphia | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Cent | 1,311,600,000 | 1,322,000,000 | 2,633,600,000 |
| Jefferson Nickel | 32,880,000 | 36,720,000 | 69,600,000 |
| Roosevelt Dime | 182,000,000 | 191,500,000 | 373,500,000 |
| Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray Quarter | 185,800,000 | 168,400,000 | 354,200,000 |
| Patsy Takemoto Mink Quarter | 187,200,000 | 210,200,000 | 397,400,000 |
| Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Quarter | 159,400,000 | 141,200,000 | 300,600,000 |
| Celia Cruz Quarter | 156,200,000 | 149,600,000 | 305,800,000 |
| Zitkala-Ša Quarter (expected release on Oct. 28) | 77,400,000 | 77,600,000 | 155,000,000 |
| Kennedy Half-Dollar | 14,800,000 | 12,300,000 | 27,100,000 |
| Native American $1 Coin | 1,120,000 | 1,120,000 | 2,240,000 |
| Total | 2,308,400,000 | 2,310,640,000 | 4,619,040,000 |
I’m sorry but this looks like a Native from Africa or some other Asian country on the obverse of this coin. It’s waaay to “busy”! I’d be willing to bet she’s much more attractive than this coin illustrates. It doesn’t even look like a coin other than it’s shape! It’s just not an attractive coin. If it was on a 5 oz planchette it would be a much nicer coin, JMHO, of course. I need to look and see if it’s any better in a Proof version! It probably is nicer than a mint state/uncirculated version. Well, as always, Good… Read more »
AKBob,
It has occurred to me that the face looks very much like a Japanese Kabuki mask.
Fellas – the Jefferson Nickel uncirculated set – mint set – is looking like a VERY wise buy!
Tony@GA,
I don’t know, but 69.6 million Nickels minted so far this year is nothing to sneeze at.
Kaiser,
Has it gotten so bad that people are hawking nickels as an investment? Nickels? Lol
Craig,
Per Coinflation website, each nickel contains more than 5 cents’ worth of metal; currently almost 5.3 cents at 75/25 cupronickel alloy. Eventually, they will be in a similar situation as 90% silver coins were in the late ’60’s. I see very few in circulation these days, since most change can be made with quarters, dimes and pennies. I suspect I’m not the only nickel hoarder.
https://www.coinflation.com/
Craig,
Don’t most people use credit or debit cards nowadays anyways?
Oops, the above was supposed to be addressed to Sam-I-am!
Kaiser,
My barber only takes cash (I know it’s crazy but there is always someone who holds out from using technology), so I have to use paper money for that throughout the year. She never gives me change back! Aside from that, I believe I used cash to make a commercial transaction 1 or 2 times during the entire year and received a few coins as change. Does that mean for me all coin denominations are rare? Lol.
Craig,
You just reminded me that where I get my haircut it’s the very same system. I hand her the correct amount of money in bills and that’s the end of the transaction. No coins ever involved.
You can hide cash. Commercial rent can be based on a floor amount plus per cent of sales revenue. And then there’s IRS.
Major D,
I suppose hiding cash can take a variety of forms: tucked under the mattress, squirreled away below the floorboards, buried in the back yard, stashed in an offshore financial institution or simply deposited in a traditionally tight-lipped Swiss bank.
No your not the only one Sam…
12,000 5C & counting…
30,000 1C 95% Copper & counting…
Gresham’s Law, or doomsday stacker hoarders lol?…Sticks & Stones….
Gee, if we all turned in our change monthly, no need to ever strike anymore circulating coinage! But then again, the USM needs job security!?
Rick,
A couple of random thoughts on stacking or hoarding in preparation for a possible apocalypse. If “the end” happens to be of the nuclear variety those piles of coinage will melt along with everything else. If it comes as a global winter due to an asteroid strike there will be nothing left to buy or barter for. Essentially, the supreme irony appears to be that the hoarding of anything will only serve one well if there is no apocalypse. Go figure.
Indeed, that’s why the stackers call themselves stackers. Apocalypse never enters their minds. They simply carry on with their neverending ROI and enjoy the fruits present & future. The misguided detractors call them apocalypse hoarders, etc. because they were taught to do so.
If only you could’ve saved some “pocket change” from days gone by!? Think of that low hanging fruit!
Rick,
Apparently I didn’t express myself nearly as clearly as I had imagined. The basis of my contention is that while in no way are all hoarders preparing for an apocalypse all those others who are convinced that an apocalypse is coming tend to be hoarders.
Kaiser, I, for one, am NOT preparing for a doomsday event. If either of the two scenario’s you mention would occur (in our lifetime) I’d simply hope to be at ground zero. Gone in a blink of the eye. But exempting an extinction level event, I do like collecting assets for any prolonged economic downturn which does happen from time to time, although I certainly don’t see any at least for another 4 years. Let’s just hope they’re incredibly capable of scanning space for any asteroids such as the one which created the Chicxulub crater. BTW, dig you get any… Read more »
Craig, It’s interesting that you should bring that very subject up. I myself have been a dedicated hoarder at one time or another in my life of just about anything and everything under the sun. That being said, I must say that I have never engaged in that almost impossible to resist habit with an eye toward the approach of some kind of effectively universal existential finality. For me, good old OCD has been a more than sufficient driver serving to propel me toward the seemingly endless and occasionally purposeless accumulation of objects, trinkets and other assorted odds and ends.… Read more »
I used to search boxes of nickels and pull out the silver war ones and those from 1938 to 1952. The rest got returned back to the bank. Otherwise, the only rolls that I kept were the brand-new unwrapped ones (for future numi unc value). I have a box each from 2020-2023. Collecting all nickels for the metal content seems to me like a lot of weight to have sitting around. Plus, based on Coinflation’s values, a box of nickels with a face value of $100 is only worth $107 in metal. Whereas a box of copper cents with a… Read more »
Yes, a lot of dead weight. A very heavy “hedge” lol. Yet, at 75%, and 95% Cu I’m keeping them.
Copper 1C are continuing their scarcity run..
Melting is for morons…
Craig,
“Brother, can you spare a dime (due to devaluation now a nickel instead)?”
The Mint keeps on churning out those 3+ cent pennies as if its life depended on it.
This is worth mentioning…… The Dr. Murray Quarter: The business struck coin, when received in hand – it looks like a woman behind bars. The proof silver coin, when shown on national TV, the word “Hope” boldly looks like the word “HORE.” I was watching TCV last night and noticed this. I sat there and said to myself “WTF.” The Murray family has to be upset with this coin. Some of the other AWQs, when received in hand, the designs are so busy you can’t even tell what they are with the naked eye. Most of them look like foreign… Read more »
These last AWQ designs have been quite cheesy or poorly executed. But, see the proposed Platinum proof designs, they look worse than my High School Design final……..
Cruz is so busy like an exploding engravers studio
E 1,
STOP….you’re killing me! I thought the same when I saw the coin. Glad I stopped after ATB coinage. I see those privy Au FH’s are kind of stuck pricing wise on the auction site. It’ll be interesting to watch next week.
Craig, E 1, et al;
I’m looking forward to the 12/12/24 auction, as well. After all, the Romans enjoyed the games at the Colosseum, too!
E 1,
I don’t know…it still looks to me like she’s behind bars as in imprisoned.
E 1,
I must be losing it. You said that very thing in your comment above. Sorry.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauli_Murray
E 1,
What an incredibly amazing woman to be the first ever in accomplishing and achieving so many different things. If I wore a hat I’d be the first to tip it to her.
Kaiser,
Yes, she had an interesting legal background. Highly determined. But that coin serves her no aesthetic justice.
E 1,
You make a good point. Considering how much determination and effort she put into the cause of justice that coin ironically serves her none.
Rich in the previous thread, referenced a quote by President Theodore Roosevelt, taken from what apparently has become to be known as the “Genesis Letter”(1904). Here is a link to an article/website with a timeline of events that had led up to President Roosevelt’s desire to hire Augustus St Gaudens to redesign our coinage, kickstarting what many believe to be a true renaissance of American coinage. From the “Intelligent Collector”, titled: “Get to Know Augustus Saint-Gaudens” by Rhonda Reinhart. The quote in context to the letter written by President Roosevelt, referencing our coinage at the time: “I think our coinage… Read more »
Cali,
A great piece and a great quote. Most appropriate.
“I think our coinage is artistically of atrocious hideousness. Would it be possible, without asking the permission of Congress, to employ a man like St. Gaudens to give us a coinage that would have some beauty? (FDR).”
The mint needs another savior and a few less designs.
Thanks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Saint-Gaudens
You’re welcome E1, however in order to provide complete clarity, the brilliance of this quote is attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt vs FDR, who would not become President of the United States(1933), until 29 years after the “Genesis Letter”, which had been penned by his 5th cousin Theodore in 1904.
Cali, I know, my bad. I grew up in Hyde Park New York and every time I see the name Roosevelt I auto-think FDR. Yes, it was Teddy Roosevelt (T.D.) the Rough Rider that penned the Genesis Letter.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt
Cheers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Gaudens_double_eagle
E 1,
This is still, to my mind, the most beautiful American coin obverse ever designed. So glad this was chosen for the AGE.
Sam,
Tiz, I had a few. Boating Accident though. I did replace some with Proof AGEs.
Cheers
Below are additional notable quotes attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt. Of particular interest, at least to me and of extreme importance IMHO. T.R., who also came to be known as the “Conservation President”, was a true champion of our countries Natural Resources and preservation thereof! Below quotes/excerpts from the National Park Service dot gov website, with link below. Many of the quotes: “are from Theodore Roosevelt’s popular books Hunting Trips of a Ranchman and The Wilderness Hunter.” I truly rever, honor and respect the Great Outdoors, as this is where I feel most alive. Taking in the grand splendor, sights… Read more »
He also objected to putting “In God We Trust” on coins. That alone deserves a place on Mount Rushmore.
Please cite your source.
Long Island Bible Society in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt declared that: Every thinking man, when he thinks, realizes what a very large number of people tend to forget, that the teachings of the Bible are so interwoven and entwined with our whole civic and social life that it would be literally—I do not mean figuratively, I mean literally—impossible for us to figure to ourselves what that life would be if these teachings were removed. We would lose almost all the standards by which we now judge both public and private morals; all the standards toward which we, with more or less… Read more »
Common knowledge among coin collectors.
Google.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_God_We_Trust “My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good, but does positive harm, and is in effect irreverence, which comes dangerously close to sacrilege. … Any use which tends to cheapen it, and, above all, any use which tends to secure its being treated in a spirit of levity, is from every standpoint profoundly to be regretted. … it seems to me eminently unwise to cheapen such a motto by use on coins …… Read more »
I assume this helps you make some point?
From all that is written, I am of the opinion that T.D. was not an atheist and his removal of “In God We Trust” was not a pinnacle moment for all of the atheists in America. In fact, his writings and his actions suggest a man whose golden core, his belief system, was built upon Judeo-Christian values. However, he was a man known to have a given hierarchy to his values. Even though he had strong spiritual convictions, he did place Country above God. His reasons for removing “In God We Trust” from our coinage and money goes as follows…….… Read more »
Who said anything about him being an atheist?
Not him FOOL.
E 1,
Thanks for taking the time to share those articles on TR. As they say, I’ve learned something today.
You’re welcome Craig. That is why most of us are here. To share knowledge and information.
You’ve resorted to name calling. I’m not surprised.
The exit is on the left.
Have a nice day.
E 1, we are all but guests here.
Excluding the trolls.
Cali, another connection to President Theodore Roosevelt and the United States’ Semiquincentennial in 2026 is the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library which is expected to open on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of America and the Declaration of Independence. Nearly 106 years after his death, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation plans to celebrate and honor that connection between the man and the land that shaped him by opening a massive state-of-the-art presidential library built on over 90 acres in the North Dakota Badlands.
Rich, thank you for sharing that bit of information, much appreciated. With my moniker as well as close ties to the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, I am thankful and have gratitude beyond my ability to express, for the dedication to furthering preservation, so justly petitioned and fought for by Ansel Adams, John Muir, both President Roosevelt’s, the Sierra Club and many others, the Sierra Club, and many, many others. It’ll be interesting to see what $450 million buys/produces regarding the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library?
https://www.trlibrary.com/funding
Still wondering where those Kennedy halves are going. Despite a couple years of mintages for general circulation, I’ve yet to be paid with one. Well, with a new one anyway. Pretty rare these days for someone to dump a half or some dollar coins on me (I’m a cashier)…happened more often before debit cards and smartphones took over seemingly everything…but with some coins actually being made to get out there among us, I should think one of them would’ve made it to my hands by now. I see more $2 bills (and that’s a rare occurrence nowadays too!)
Here you go, make an offer! Lol. You knew they’d show up eventually…
https://www.ebay.com/itm/235851962640
Seller says the coin will be sent in2025. Has a regular FHG for $3,000,000.00…..
A PR69 for $50K? I think I’ll pass on this golden opportunity of a lifetime. I wonder if the 69’s will go for $25K and under. I’ll be watching.
Did this seller just drop his asking price from $50K to $30K for the privy Au FH in 96 grade?
And, a historical piece with a fascinating story,
I didn’t know about these…click [full] just above the bidding count…
https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/1702239/1912-RMS-Carpathia-Crew-SS-Titanic-Rescuers-Gold-Medal-on-Original-Ribbon-and-Pin-With-Original-Leatherette-Case-PCGS-Genuine
Rick,
I knew of the medals given to the crew of Carpathia, having an interest in the Titanic disaster, but had no idea that any would be available, even at auction. I would have chosen to keep such a family memento in the family at extravagant cost. It’s truly in the category of “irreplaceable”.
Sam-I-am,
I understand your point completely, but apparently not everyone feels this way.
How did you get the circulating production numbers since the website is totally hosed?
Wonder what’s flushing precious metal prices down the drain so fast now?
The Strengthening Dollar and the recent $83B Gold discovery in Hunan China.
E 1,
That’s precisely what I thought was the case, but then I also read that this immense gold find in China is anticipated to increase interest in the purchasing of gold, so I’m somewhat perplexed now.
Kaiser, I think the recent strengthening of the US dollar is negatively affecting the price of gold as we speak. The recent massive find in China is not part of the above ground supply just yet. But in time, it will have an influence on the international supply and demand equation. As supply becomes rapidly abundant, the price will go down. Also, China, who has been hoarding gold recently from the world market, will not have to buy gold abroad in the years ahead. It is also possible that the BRICS, specifically China, may try to create a Gold backed… Read more »
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/world-s-largest-gold-deposit-found-worth-over-us-80-billion/ar-AA1v3LiQ
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/geologists-might-have-stumbled-upon-the-largest-gold-mine-in-the-world/ar-AA1vgggN
And not to mention, tariff concerns
Gold (XAU) Daily Forecast: Inflation, Tariff Concerns Weigh on Gold Prices | FXEmpire
E 1, from a previous thread, speaking of TR I really like the 2015 medal from the 2013 coin&chronicle set. I believe there’s also a silver version of this, but I’m not sure.
oh, and this gold one that I wish I had
Major D,
Way cool. Now that coin has some meaning. El Capitan in Yosemite. Cali might like that one too.
Peace out
My bad – “Half Dome” in Yosemite. I’ve been to Yosemite about 20 times. Skied Glacier Point a number of times with its incredible view of “Half Dome.” I can’t believe I made that mistake. My brain must be hardening with old age. I beat you to it this time Cali. Always a good idea to have a genuine fact checker in the house when this geriatric is at the keyboard.
Later
You know MD, that is actually a great looking gold coin. T.D., John Muir, and Half Dome. I am a big fan of all coins related to California. I think I’m gonna try to find one. Thanks for sharing.
my bad, from this thread of course…. thought I was posting on the newest article.