In 2024, U.S. Mint data showed a fourth straight year of declining coin production, with annual output reaching its lowest level since the post-Great Recession recovery.
Mint facilities delivered just over 5.613 billion coins to Federal Reserve Banks for circulation, marking a 50.7% decrease from the 11.381 billion coins struck in 2023. This was the lowest annual total since 2009, when 3.548 billion coins were minted for circulation during a year heavily impacted by the Great Recession, which ended mid-year.
US Mint Annual Coin Production (2024 vs 2023)
| Year 2023 | Year 2024 | 2024 Unit Gain / Loss | 2024 % Gain / Loss | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cents | 4,522,800,000 | 3,225,200,000 | -1,297,600,000 | -28.7% |
| Nickels | 1,427,530,000 | 112,800,000 | -1,314,730,000 | -92.1% |
| Dimes | 2,705,500,000 | 555,000,000 | -2,150,500,000 | -79.5% |
| Quarters | 2,665,600,000 | 1,680,800,000 | -984,800,000 | -36.9% |
| Half Dollars | 58,000,000 | 37,600,000 | -20,400,000 | -35.2% |
| Native American $1 | 2,240,000 | 2,240,000 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Total | 11,381,670,000 | 5,613,640,000 | -5,768,030,000 | -50.7% |
The U.S. Mint’s primary mission is to manufacture coins in response to public demand. It produces, sells, and delivers circulating coins to Federal Reserve Banks and their coin terminals, enabling these entities to meet the needs of commercial banks and other financial institutions.
YTD 2024 Circulating Coin Production by Denomination
| 1 ¢ | 5 ¢ | 10 ¢ | 25 ¢ | 50 ¢ | N.A. $1 | Total: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 1,513.2M | 32.88M | 248M | 858.8M | 21.9M | 1.12M | 2,675.9M |
| Philadelphia | 1,712M | 79.92M | 307M | 822M | 15.7M | 1.12M | 2,937.74M |
| Total | 3,225.2M | 112.8M | 555M | 1,680.8M | 37.6M | 2.24M | 5,613.64M |
Minting facilities in Philadelphia and Denver are responsible for manufacturing all U.S. coins for commerce. In 2024, the Philadelphia Mint produced 2,937,740,000 coins, while the Denver Mint made 2,675,900,000 coins.
Mintages of Cents, Nickels, and Dimes Lowest Since 2009
Despite costing the Mint 3.07 cents to produce and distribute each 1-cent coin, the Federal Reserve consistently orders more pennies than any other denomination.
Last year, the Mint struck over 3.2 billion cents, the lowest annual total since more than 2.3 billion Lincoln Bicentennial cents were produced in 2009. These cents accounted for 57.5% of the total coin production for 2024.
In contrast, 2023 saw over 4.5 billion cents minted – the lowest annual total since 4 billion were struck in 2010 – making up 39.7% of the year’s total coin production. In 2022, more than 6.3 billion cents were struck, representing 46.7% of the combined production total. A year earlier, in 2021, the Mint produced over 7.9 billion cents, accounting for 54.6% of all circulating coins. Among recent years, 2024 and 2021 are the most representative of the historical ratio of cents to overall production.
In 2024, the Mint experienced a stretch of four consecutive months without producing any nickels and another three months without minting dimes. Similar to the cent, both denominations recorded their lowest annual mintages since 2009.
Mintages of Native American Dollars and Kennedy Halves
The U.S. Mint also produces other circulating-quality coins, including half dollars and dollars. While Native American $1 coins are no longer ordered by the Federal Reserve, they continue to be struck in circulating quality for collectors. This was also true for Kennedy half dollars until recent years – 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Typically, the Mint produces both denominations in January to meet the expected demand for the entire year. However, this pattern was disrupted for Kennedy half dollars over the past years, as the Federal Reserve unexpectedly ordered additional coins for circulation – approximately 12 million in 2021, 7 million in 2022, and 18 million in 2023.
In 2024, Kennedy half dollars were once again minted for general circulation. Production figures increased incrementally across several months: January (+5.7 million), March (+1.9 million), April (+2.6 million), May (+3.2 million), June (+4.9 million), July (+3.2 million), October (+5.6 million), November (+7.3 million), and December (+3.2 million). The latest totals show 15.7 million coins from Philadelphia and 21.9 million from Denver, combining for 37.6 million. This is notably lower than the 2023 production run, which reached 27.8 million from Denver and 30.2 million from Philadelphia, totaling 58 million – the highest since 1983’s mintage of 66.6 million.
Meanwhile, the Native American dollar’s production schedule deviated from the norm. Instead of being completed in January, mintages were adjusted in February due to no reported production activity in Denver during January. Since February, the total mintage has remained at 2.24 million coins, evenly split with 1.12 million from both Denver and Philadelphia, matching the 2023 total.
2024 Quarter Mintages
In addition to the 2024 Native American dollar with its one-year-only design, the U.S. also released the five coins for 2024 from its four-year program of American Women Quarters™. These third-year issues represent the 11th through 15th coins in the series, each showcasing a distinct design.
The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray quarter, the first quarter design for the 2024, began circulating on Jan. 2. On Feb. 1, the Mint made rolls and bags of them 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.
Celia 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 marks the second-lowest mintage for any quarter in the series.
Zitkala-Ša quarters entered circulation on Oct. 21, followed by the U.S. Mint’s release of rolls and bags to the public on Oct. 28. Production data indicates 170.2 million quarters were struck at the Denver Mint and 152.6 million at the Philadelphia Mint, combining for a total of 322.8 million. This marks the third-lowest mintage for any quarter in the series.
Combined quarter production for 2024 totaled 1.68 billion, the lowest annual figure since 1.65 billion were minted in 2019.
Lowest Quarters Mintages in Series
Notably, the 2024-D Zitkala-Ša quarter, with a mintage of 152.6 million, is the scarcest in the series from the Denver Mint. Meanwhile, the 2024-P Dr. Mary Edwards Walker quarter holds the distinction of being the scarcest from the Philadelphia Mint, with a mintage of 141.2 million.
This next table shows all American Women quarter dollar mintages by production facility, denomination, and design.
2022-2024 America Women Quarter Mintages
| Denver | Philadelphia | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray Quarter | 185,800,000 | 168,400,000 | 354,200,000 |
| 2024 Patsy Takemoto Mink Quarter | 187,200,000 | 210,200,000 | 397,400,000 |
| 2024 Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Quarter | 159,400,000 | 141,200,000 | 300,600,000 |
| 2024 Celia Cruz Quarter | 156,200,000 | 149,600,000 | 305,800,000 |
| 2024 Zitkala-Ša Quarter | 170,200,000 | 152,600,000 | 322,800,000 |
| 2023 Bessie Coleman Quarter | 317,200,000 | 302,000,000 | 619,200,000 |
| 2023 Edith Kanaka’Ole Quarter | 368,600,000 | 372,800,000 | 741,400,000 |
| 2023 Eleanor Roosevelt Quarter | 271,800,000 | 284,000,000 | 555,800,000 |
| 2023 Jovita Idar Quarter | 188,000,000 | 190,600,000 | 378,600,000 |
| 2023 Maria Tallchief Quarter | 184,800,000 | 185,800,000 | 370,600,000 |
| 2022 Maya Angelou Quarter | 258,200,000 | 237,600,000 | 495,800,000 |
| 2022 Dr. Sally Ride Quarter | 278,000,000 | 275,200,000 | 553,200,000 |
| 2022 Wilma Mankiller Quarter | 296,800,000 | 310,000,000 | 606,800,000 |
| 2022 Nina Otero-Warren Quarter | 219,200,000 | 225,000,000 | 444,200,000 |
| 2022 Anna May Wong Quarter | 240,800,000 | 226,800,000 | 467,600,000 |
| Total | 3,482,200,000 | 3,431,800,000 | 6,914,000,000 |
This next table offers a breakdown of this year’s mintages that have been reported by coin design, including the five quarters:
2024 Circulating Coin Production by Design
| Denver | Philadelphia | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Cent | 1,513,200,000 | 1,712,000,000 | 3,225,200,000 |
| Jefferson Nickel | 32,880,000 | 79,920,000 | 112,800,000 |
| Roosevelt Dime | 248,000,000 | 307,000,000 | 555,000,000 |
| 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 | 170,200,000 | 152,600,000 | 322,800,000 |
| Kennedy Half-Dollar | 21,900,000 | 15,700,000 | 37,600,000 |
| Native American $1 Coin | 1,120,000 | 1,120,000 | 2,240,000 |
| Total | 2,675,900,000 | 2,937,740,000 | 5,613,640,000 |
Coin Production in December 2024
In December, total production remained below 1 billion coins for the 16th straight month, following an earlier run of eight months exceeding that mark.
December is often a slower month for coin production as the U.S. Mint prepares tooling for the upcoming year’s coins. This trend was especially evident in December 2023, with a modest output of 151.8 million coins. In contrast, December 2024 saw a higher production figure of 391.7 million coins. However, the three Decembers prior to 2023 significantly exceeded these numbers, with totals of 846.5 million coins in 2022, 953.37 million in 2021, and 903.5 million in 2020.
More typical December production levels were observed between 2011 and 2019, with annual outputs ranging from a low of 245.34 million coins in 2012 to a peak of 878.84 million in 2014. Other years in this period included 431.78 million in 2011, 285.96 million in 2013, 707.79 million in 2015, 696.68 million in 2016, 762.86 million in 2017, 560.64 million in 2018, and 400.88 million in 2019. These figures illustrate the more predictable seasonal slowdown typical of December.
Here’s how the month compares to others in the past year:
December 2023 to December 2024 Circulating Coin Production
| Month | Mintages | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 391.70 M | 8 |
| November 2024 | 602.90 M | 4 |
| October 2024 | 826.60 M | 1 |
| September 2024 | 486.00 M | 5 |
| August 2024 | 405.20 M | 6 |
| July 2024 | 235.20 M | 11 |
| June 2024 | 168.22 M | 12 |
| May 2024 | 396.08 M | 7 |
| 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 |
This final table summarizes all circulating-quality coins produced in the past month:
U.S. Mint Circulating Coin Production in December 2024
| Denver | Philadelphia | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Cent | 57,600,000 | 210,000,000 | 267,600,000 |
| Jefferson Nickel | 0 | 21,600,000 | 21,600,000 |
| Roosevelt Dime | 29,000,000 | 52,500,000 | 81,500,000 |
| Quarters | 17,800,000 | 0 | 17,800,000 |
| Kennedy Half-Dollar | 3,200,000 | 0 | 3,200,000 |
| Native American $1 Coin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 107,600,000 | 284,100,000 | 391,700,000 |
The design of that HOPE reverse is enough to stop anyone from collecting USM modern pieces
Yep, a really bad design.
I really CCAC is on crack
Uh oh…
Talk about gettin’ tied to the Whippin’ Post…
Thanks.
No wonder the 2024 Jefferson’s are like the dodo of current circulation coins…..
They might try thinking out of the box this year.
Bring in some new customers for product production…
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-5-8-in-Zinc-Flat-Washer-804606/204633122#overlay
All those wa$hers have real value…. Slug no more
I was sort of hoping for a nice die clash out of the HOPE reverse.
I was referring to the technical features of the design (lots of incuse flat spaces and raised features) not the aesthetic design. The only die clash I seen reported is a portion of the “5” from 25c clashing near Washington’s eye on obverse side.
More people using plastic. It’s not rocket science. But don’t worry, they will keep up the revenue by charging more for numismatic products… at least until they kill that golden goose.
True, but, hypnotically, if they sell 16,000 proof gold coins with an almost $1000 premium over spot they get $16 Million. If they sell at least 250K one ounce proof silver coins, with a $65 over spot, they get $16.25 million. Simple calculations to be sure, but if you kill off the small collector, the question is will they still support those with the deep pockets?
I would buy one for $65 but not for $65 over spot…and I have no desire at all to pay $1000 for the privilege of buying a Au coin from this mint. I have plenty of both from previous years tucked away and I’ll let those with continuous collections pay for these.
I realize there are a lot of variables, so in no way is it infallible.
Tomorrow Treasury Secretary nominee Mr. Scott Bessent will testify at his Senate confirmation hearing. Here is a hypothetical Senate Question to Mr. Bessent… Senator: The United States Mint transferred $50M of seigniorage to the United States Treasury in FY2024. In the past 9 fiscal years the United States Mint has transferred $2.235 Billion of seigniorage to the United States Treasury. In the past 9 fiscal years the United States Mint has transferred $194 Million of income to the United States Treasury. Here is the Question, Mr. Bessent would you rather receive $2.235 Billion in seigniorage or $194 Million in income?… Read more »
Cag,
He didn’t receive the rhetorical question you present, but made his case for the job anyway, knocked it out of the park.
The Mint Swamp will be disinfected under his limited watch, with minimal positive effects for the Core Collectors in the end I’m sure. We’ll see what DOGE can do to help him out.
A positive outcome for some Collectors during his tenure could be the continuation of the Armed Forces Medal Program. Specifically the U.S. Space Force One-Ounce Silver Medal. It was put on the back burner for obvious reasons, but it will be re-ignited soon enough.
Rick,
I listened to his entire hearing. I thought he did an outstanding job. Anytime you can get Elizabeth Warren and Donald Trump to agree…the planets must be in alignment…
https://starwalk.space/en/news/what-is-planet-parade
I only this month found my first Pauli Murray quarter in a roll of quarters, more than a year after they were first released into circulation.
On another note, the Mint is still selling 2023 silver dollars (ASE, Morgan and Peace), if anyone is still interested. They’re going for the new prices though.
Personally, I believe we lost our identity as far as quarters go, ever since the start of the America the Beautiful program. Sure it was fun and fresh at the time, but now there are so many different designs floating around, it’s like a load of tokens IMO. I personally believe they should have put all these designs on a half dollar, a bigger canvas, and might draw some interest in their use (though I wouldn’t hold my breath). I’m all for design changes in time, but not four or five in a year. The dime and the half are… Read more »
The half dollar is so innovative, the Presidential Seal! Brilliant!
Fully agree sir!
Yes. Sometimes too much is simply too much. After the state quarters wrapped, there shouldn’t have been any more than one (at most, two) new reverse designs on any coin.
Finding Wheatie Cents, Buffalo Nickels, Mercury Dimes, Standing Liberty Quarters and silver Roosevelt Dimes and Washington Quarters was fun and made circulation coin collecting challenging and fun. From then, I had to go to dealers and coin shows to find the coins missing from my collection. Then I went back further and started collecting 19th century coins. Now I’m mainly collecting circulating cents, quarters and bullion coins. Ah the wonder of youth and a time when obsolete designs were still circulating.
True.
Agreed.
In 2024, Kennedy Half Dollars were once again minted for general circulation. Has anyone found any? I’ve been buying rolls and they’re still from the ’70s to 2001. Maybe my bank isn’t ordering new rolls of half dollars or they’re being sent elsewhere, just not in my neck of the woods.
Because no one wanted them in 2001 either, so there are plenty at the banks. I can’t recall getting a half in change this century.
It’t rare for me to even get change these days let alone find a specific coin. The fallout of plastic.
Sounds like an old friend of mine before credit cards. He brought little $ because if he brought it he spent it.
I’m just tired of making the banks rich from the interchange fees that they charge. It seem like the small players don’t like it either. I rarely see credit card transaction at coin shows and the big bullion dealers seem to pass the fees on to the customer.
Cash AND coins!
Indeed many took cards, but a lot who didn’t took…CHECKS….what is this 1964. Cash baby
I’m the other way around. I exclusively use cash for personal use unless it’s not accepted. I use cards for business if I need a receipt. Even then, if a fee is charged for the transaction, I’ll use a check or EFT. As Rubber Duck said in that great life advice song of the 70s, “We just ain’t a-gonna pay no toll”.
It seems the only places that charge a fee to use CC’s is our government institutions. I’m in agreement with you in that I’ll pay with a check vs paying a $3-$5 fee to use said CC’s. As Forrest said: ‘stupid is as stupid does.’
None of the ones I frequent do and I realise we all incur a cost for using CC’s, albeit a small amount.
Bakery
I ate a meal here months ago, a little cash only note onthe menu. AFTER eating marginal chow I put a $20 down, they said no cash. I said that’s all I got, I read the legend “…valid for all DEBTS public and private…”. They called the cops?! WTF. I talked intelligently while thanking them for their service, and showed and told office that legend…..he said it was a civil matter they could sue me but law enforcement has better things to do. They took it grudgingly. Today that restaurant is …OUT OF BUSINESS. H@ha…. Sucked anyway the chicken came… Read more »
I remember one restaurant I went to several years ago on a trip home. We ONLY had credit cards with us and they ONLY took cash or check. I didn’t see that when we went in and ordered. We apologized after the meal and offered to send them a check. They agreed to it. We mailed a check with extra for the hassle and everything worked out fine. As for pink chicken, on my first date with my wife, I got served undercooked chicken. She had talked before the meal about one of her relatives who always complained about meals.… Read more »
I sort of hate using checks unless I know who I am paying really well. The check has all the information (routing number and account number) to effect an EFT authorized or unauthorized.
Plus if you look at the condition of circulated coins you’d probably be concerned about procuring some sort of disease. I’ve found some coins with a blackish film on them…what the hell could that be? Lol.
I’ve counted plenty of skunk bills over the past few years.
During Covid, and even today I’ve asked all my doctors have you ever heard of anyone getting sick handling money? Or any Covid cases related back to paper currency or coinage? He looked at me like I was a fool. He said maybe if you licked it, but other than that, not likely.
Did anybody comment on the nickels. That seem to be the discussion of previous threads.
Nickels? What nickels? Where are the 2024 nickels anyway?
I guess Philly made more nickels at the end of the year but Denver flat out stopped. Still 33M nickels are still seems like a lot except when the all get squirreled away.
20,000,000 held by Brinks and BoA tellers no doubt
I may keep my subscriptions as they are through this year. If there are more price rises for 2026, I may reconsider. My thinking is, if the mintages fall, the coin values may rise, making my purchases worth it for the aftermarket benefit. I misplaced my turban and can’t seem to find it anywhere. I don’t seem to be able to see the future without it.
Maybe the available mintages are too high for the market.
Rip off prices
Profit = Revenue – Costs When you produce less and sell at a higher margin, there is more profit. With this manufacturing marketing strategy, there is less labor, less machine time, less procurement, less packaging, less inventory movement, and less transaction time. This is a cost cutting strategy. Since demand for the Proof ASE is inelastic, the Mint is in a highly advantageous position to raise prices significantly for the Proof ASE. They are intentionally reducing the mintage and raising the price of the Proof ASE to make more profit. The US Mint has been in the business of manufacturing… Read more »
You’re just looking at the Revenue. The cost to produce in a lesser quantity is lower until it becomes a very small quantity. Economies of Scale only become beneficial in a very high-volume commodity situation such as petroleum. Add in the higher price that is coming in for the 25EA, and the profit will increase further. The trend is obvious, sell less to reduce the overall production costs, and increase the selling price to increase margin. This reduces the overall size and cost of the production environment inclusive, thus producing a “Lean Manufacturing” environment. If the Mint were to sell… Read more »
Guys, potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto………… Lets call the whole thing (numismatic products) off! If the mint were to produce only circulation coinage and leave the bullion and trinkets to the private sector, we’d all be better off! The mint is not supposed to function as a profit center for the government. That’s the IRS’s job! The cent and nickel have got to go. Worthless denominations. A single decimal digit is all that is required in this day. Dimes ( at current size) and halves (at penny size) plus $1, $5, $10, and $20 ( at increasing sizes) with $100 currency… Read more »
As I said earlier. Just shut the commems, FUGULY quarter etc. down.
SHUT IT DOWN
Ventris. Ack to bookkeeping at USPS, liar anyway
Disagree plan is to jack, jack prices as high until they actually realize their ineptitude
And courses on how to alienate customers and drive away new ones. Fed Reg likely $115 for those $2025 ase, heck Ag could pop to $33
MajorD……. REVERAND
Off a cliff, just SHUT IT DOWN
Without regards to the merits of the USM’s production strategies, any action to remove the 1 cent and 5 cent coins (while easily justifiable from an economic viewpoint), absolutely requires the action of the US Congress. The Mint just doesn’t have the statutory authority to stop making them. If you really want to see something happen along those lines, contact your local Congress critters/Senators and tell them. Working up a lather on this site won’t change a thing. Take it up with Congress.
The Fed could stop ordering them, and the Mint would be obligated to stop production. Done deal.
Seems to me that there is a multi-vested interest to keep them going though.
Welp, Musk’s Washington DOGE effort is considering getting rid of the minting of pennies. Guess we’ll see what comes down the pike on this issue. Kaiser you should be pleased about this