Economic conditions caused a significant decline in the need for the United States Mint's circulating coins. Shipments to Federal Reserve Banks declined significantly, resulting in a corresponding decline in seigniorage. This article continues the coverage of the United States Mint 2009 Financial Results.
The United States Mint is responsible for producing and issuing circulating coins in amounts necessary to meet the needs of the United States. The coins are shipped to Federal Reserve Banks to replenish inventory and fulfill commercial demand. Revenue is recognized based on the face value of the coins as they are shipped. Seigniorage arises from the difference between the face value of the coins and the gross cost to produce and distribute the coins.
Circulating Coins Shipped to Federal Reserve Banks
| (in millions) | FY2009 | FY2008 | Change |
| Cents | 3,218 | 5,272 | (38.96%) |
| Nickels | 207 | 647 | (68.01%) |
| Dimes | 358 | 1,070 | (66.54%) |
| Quarters | 965 | 2,510 | (61.55%) |
| Dollars | 459 | 475 | (3.37%) |
| Total Coins | 5,207 | 9,974 | (47.79%) |
Shipments to the federal reserve fell from nearly 10 billion coins shipped in the prior year to 5.2 billion coins for fiscal year 2010, representing a decline of 48%.
The heaviest declines in shipments occurred for the five cent, ten cent, and twenty five cent denominations, which each fell by more than 60%. Shipments of one cent coins fell by 38.96%. The Annual Report attributed the smaller decline to the popularity of the rotating designs issued for the 2009 Lincoln Cents, although the rotating designs for the twenty five cent denomination under the District of Columbia and United States Territories Quarters Program failed to yield similar benefits.
Shipments of dollar coins fell by only 3.4% from the prior year. Interestingly, 18.6% of the shipments of dollar coins occurred through the US Mint's Circulating $1 Coin Direct Ship Program. Under this program individuals, businesses, and financial institutions can purchase quantities of dollar coins directly from the United States Mint at face value with no charge for shipping. This bypasses the distribution system through the Federal Reserve Banks.
Seigniorage from Circulating Coin Shipments
| (dollars in millions) | FY2009 | FY2008 | Change |
| Value of Shipments | $ 777.6 | $ 1,294.5 | (39.93%) |
| Gross Cost | $ 349.8 | $ 588.3 | (40.54%) |
| Seigniorage | $ 427.8 | $ 706.2 | (39.42%) |
The total value of circulating coin shipments was 777.6 million compared to 1,294.5 million in the prior year, representing a decline of 38.96%. The relatively smaller decline in the value of shipments was the result of a higher proportion of dollar coins shipped compared to the prior year.
Seigniorage declined by39.42% to $427.8 million, representing the lowest total seigniorage in 12 years. Seigniorage margins were supported by declines in the prices of base metals and the higher proportion of dollar coins within total shipments, which helped offset production costs which were spread over fewer units.
Circulating Coin Unit Cost by Denomination
| FY2009 | FY2008 | Change | |
| Cents | 0.0162 | 0.0142 | 14.08% |
| Nickels | 0.0603 | 0.0883 | (31.71%) |
| Dimes | 0.0565 | 0.0436 | 29.59% |
| Quarters | 0.1131 | 0.1090 | 3.76% |
| Dollars | 0.3040 | 0.2641 | 15.11% |
The cost of producing each denomination except for the five cent coin rose compared to the prior fiscal year. The individual cost of producing the one cent and five cent coins once again exceeded their face value. It cost 1.62 cents to produce each penny and 6.03 cents to produce each nickel. The amount of seigniorage lost through the production of the cent was $19.8 million with an additional $2.2 million lost on the nickel.
The Federal Reserve Banks and United States Mint expect continued low demand for circulating coins in fiscal year 2010.
Related posts:
how can I buy these coins from a federal reserve bank? I want to collect coins but can’t afford to buy from a big dealer, who jacks the price up to make a profit. I usually collect pennies nickels, dimes, but the mint doesn’t offer them. The banks in the small town that i live in doesn’t get shipments of new coins from the federal reserve.
How can a normal person buy these circulating coins from the federal reserve, since they “appear” to be uncirculated coins. How do the Big coin deaalers get them to sell at a profit, if I can’t buy them from the mint.
As far as I know, the Federal Reserve Banks only distribute coins to financial institutions and not individuals. You may be able to get your bank to order some for you, if you are willing to pay for the entire order. However, there are only some cases where your bank will be able to specifically order new coins only.
Currently, the FRB has special ordering procedures for the new releases of the Presidential Dollars as they are issued. Banks can order new, unmixed quantities of the coins in $1,000 increments.
Another option is the US Mint’s direct ship program. This currently includes several different dollar coins. You can order these at face value in $250 increments.
http://catalog.usmint.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&identifier=8100