US coin output fell by 30% last year to the lowest level in 10 years as the economy struggled.  In 2008 the US Mint produced a mere 10.1 billion coins.  Reduced demand from coin collectors is partly to blame:  the Mint cites diminishing consumer interest in collecting the quarters issued for each of the 50 states.  However the struggling economy is also playing a part since fewer cash register transactions mean less need to provide change.  Increasing use of debit and credit cards may also be contributing to a long term decline in the number of coins produced.

The Denver Mint accounts for just over half of US coin production with the rest from Philadelphia.

Lincoln Silver Dollar

Later this month the US Mint will issue a new silver dollar with a portrait of a youthful Lincoln on the head side and a short extract from the Gettysburg Address on the reverse side.  Production of presidential $1 coins is expected to increase as the US Government undertakes a marketing push to get them accepted.

Get the Lincoln silver dollar from the US Mint