God, Gold, Guns, Guts! ......and Nickels!
Excerpted from MintNews Blog| 2012 US Mint Coin Production Figures | ||||
| June 2012 | YTD 2012 | |||
| Lincoln Cent – Denver | 321.20 M | 1,475.60 M | ||
| Lincoln Cent – Phil. | 310.40 M | 1,647.20 M | ||
| Jefferson Nickel – Denver | 70.56 M | 323.28 M | ||
| Jefferson Nickel – Phil. | 51.04 M | 283.12 M | ||
| Roosevelt Dime – Denver | 101.00 M | 445.00 M | ||
| Roosevelt Dime – Phil. | 123.50 M | 454.00 M | ||
| Quarters – Denver | (5.19 M) | 63.81 M | ||
| Quarters – Phil. | 0 | 72.60 M | ||
| Kennedy Half – Denver | 0 | 1.70 M | ||
| Kennedy Half – Phil. | 0 | 1.80 M | ||
| Native Am Dollar – Denver | 0 | 2.80 M | ||
| Native Am Dollar – Phil. | 0 | 2.80 M | ||
| Pres Dollar – Denver | 3.08 M | 15.96 M | ||
| Pres Dollar – Phil. | 0 | 27.88 M | ||
| Total | 975.59 | 4,817.55 M | ||
Since we are at the halfway point of the year, I thought it would be worthwhile to run a comparison of the circulating coin production figures from the first half of 2012 compared to the figures from the first half of 2011.
| 2012 US Mint Coin Production Figures | |||
| First Half 2012 | First Half 2011 | Change | |
| Lincoln Cent – Denver | 1,475.60 M | 1,252.94 M | 17.77% |
| Lincoln Cent – Phil. | 1,647.20 M | 1,151.20 M | 43.09% |
| Jefferson Nickel – Denver | 323.28 M | 276.96 M | 16.72% |
| Jefferson Nickel – Phil. | 283.12 M | 211.20 M | 34.05% |
| Roosevelt Dime – Denver | 445.00 M | 393.00 M | 13.23% |
| Roosevelt Dime – Phil. | 454.00 M | 425.00 M | 6.82% |
| Quarters – Denver | 63.81 M | 92.20 M | -30.79% |
| Quarters – Phil. | 72.60 M | 91.60 M | -20.74% |
| Kennedy Half – Denver | 1.70 M | 1.70 M | 0.00% |
| Kennedy Half – Phil. | 1.80 M | 1.75 M | 2.86% |
| Native Am Dollar – Denver | 2.80 M | 18.06 M | -84.50% |
| Native Am Dollar – Phil. | 2.80 M | 9.66 M | -71.01% |
| Pres Dollar – Denver | 15.96 M | 97.58 M | -83.64% |
| Pres Dollar – Phil. | 27.88 M | 100.66 M | -72.30% |
| Total | 4,817.55 M | 4,124.01 M | 16.82% |
From the standpoint of seigniorage generation, the shift in coin production is perilous. As I have explored earlier this year, the US Mint is being forced to produce its two most unprofitable denominations in greater numbers, while severely curtailing production of the most profitable denomination. The higher production levels for cents and nickels are driven by orders from Federal Reserve Banks, while the reduced production of $1 coins follows the decision announced by Vice President Biden and Treasury Secretary Geithner.
A breakdown of year to date 2012 coin production by design is indicated below. As mentioned in the past, the US Mint has reserved the right to re-start production of any design within the calendar year.
