# Why is there a coin shortage? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 15, 2020, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626 "2020-09-15T00:58:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![breakneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e99b99/32.png) [@breakneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breakneck)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/1 "2020-09-15T00:58:34Z")
Why is there a coin shortage? where are they all going to ? is some nut hoarding all of them? have the mints discontinued minting them ? why ? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/2 "2020-09-15T01:02:31Z")
> **[The Fed - Are U.S. coins in short supply?](https://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/why-do-us-coins-seem-to-be-in-short-supply-coin-shortage.htm)** > > The Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington DC. ---
**Author:** ![breakneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e99b99/32.png) [@breakneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breakneck)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/3 "2020-09-15T01:06:19Z")
thanks for the link \> they explain its because of the closure of banks and business . But wouldnt that just put more coins in the system ? if my business closed I dont think I would sit there with my cash register full of coins i would go trade them in at the bank,coinstar because I would want the paper dollar . ?? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/4 "2020-09-15T02:20:51Z")
This explains a lot. > **[Is There Really A Coin Shortage?](https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/07/20/is-there-really-a-coin-shortage/#6760467ff0a3)** > > As if the earlier demand for toilet paper weren't enough, now there are reports of coin shortages during COVID-19. Or is this merely a disruption in supply? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/5 "2020-09-15T02:38:45Z")
> [@breakneck](#): > > thanks for the link \> they explain its because of the closure of banks and business . But wouldnt that just put more coins in the system ? if my business closed I dont think I would sit there with my cash register full of coins i would go trade them in at the bank,coinstar because I would want the paper dollar . ?? You can’t take your coins to the bank or coin star if the bank or coin star aren’t open, either. It’s not so much there’s a coin _shortage_ as the coins are in the wrong places. It’s like how after a bad storm airplanes are all at the wrong airports to make the schedules work smoothly - the planes are out there, just not conveniently located. Likewise, the coins are out there, just not in the places people want them to be. Eventually it will all work itself out (particularly as people turn in coins to Coinstar and banks that are now open again) but meanwhile there will be shortages in some locations. ---
**Author:** ![breakneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e99b99/32.png) [@breakneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breakneck)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/6 "2020-09-15T09:20:43Z")
Well I found that article to a bit confusing . It stated that business like laundromats because of the pandemic were not operating so there is a shortage from them depositing coins back to the bank. From what I know about laundromats what they take to the bank is the paper money they get in there coin changer machines and teh quarters from the washers and dryers go back in the coin exchange machines. They dont take big bags of coins to the bank they are taking stacks of paper money to deposit .So this professor at columbia university is absolutely incorrect with that statment and who knows what else I stopped reading after that point . Thanks though I appretiate it ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/7 "2020-09-15T13:07:26Z")
Lots more discussion on almost the same topic here: > [@Is the coin shortage happening everywhere, or just in the United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-coin-shortage-happening-everywhere-or-just-in-the-united-states/916762): > > (Inspired by @kayaker’s recent [related thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-shortage-of-coins/913982)) So, it now appears to be an [established fact](https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/18/us/us-coin-shortage-coronavirus-trnd/index.html) that there is a [nationwide](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiPru3CvvPqAhVBHzQIHeLPBIk4ChAWMAJ6BAgDEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mprnews.org%2Fstory%2F2020%2F06%2F21%2Fnpr-latest-pandemic-shortage-banks-running-low-on-coins&usg=AOvVaw107bf23hKDRSMVHhr8HWIW) [coin](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiPru3CvvPqAhVBHzQIHeLPBIk4ChAWMAR6BAgCEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marketplace.org%2F2020%2F07%2F22%2Fwhere-did-all-the-coins-go%2F&usg=AOvVaw25scJhm55TJGFTiC99GttJ) [shortage](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiPru3CvvPqAhVBHzQIHeLPBIk4ChAWMBJ6BAgKEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsaratogatodaynewspaper.com%2Fhome%2Fitem%2F12010-got-change-coin-shortage-hits-home&usg=AOvVaw2lY4qj-tenLXyf9hIJvgz_). I’d been wondering why all of the self-serve checkout terminals, in all of the local markets that I frequent, have switched to card-only transactions–now I know.) It’s long been my assertion that of the four coins in common circulation – penny, nickel, dime, and quarter), not one has a sufficiently high denomination to be conveniently spendable. If you use … Notice that this conversation started in late July and is still going on today. And references an earlier conversation from early July. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/8 "2020-09-15T14:16:17Z")
> [@breakneck](#): > > From what I know about laundromats what they take to the bank is the paper money they get in there coin changer machines and teh quarters from the washers and dryers go back in the coin exchange machines. I know an owner of a laundromat, and she does indeed take large sacks of coins to the bank, because the change machine is owned and run by another company. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/9 "2020-09-15T14:50:09Z")
People are hoarding coins because they are desperate for real change. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/10 "2020-09-15T15:48:46Z")
As opposed to papering over our current cracks in society? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/11 "2020-09-15T20:07:33Z")
So if the government needs more coins, they just make some? I thought that went out with Ludwig II, Mad King of Bavaria. Although I can hang out at the laundromat and sell three quarters for a buck. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/12 "2020-09-15T20:12:18Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > So if the government needs more coins, they just make some? Well, yeah - that’s how coins get made in the first place, after all. But the mint has a limited capacity, and the US Mint has been running less than that due to covid concerns. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/13 "2020-09-15T21:38:00Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I know an owner of a laundromat, and she does indeed take large sacks of coins to the bank, because the change machine is owned and run by another company. Do you know the purpose of this arrangement? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/14 "2020-09-15T21:39:55Z")
I have no idea. I don’t know have the company makes money on a change machine, but I know that she doesn’t have to pay to get it fixed if someone attempts to break into it. ---
**Author:** ![GreaterZamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@GreaterZamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreaterZamboni)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/15 "2020-09-15T21:52:35Z")
Bravo!!! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2020, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/16 "2020-09-16T01:34:58Z")
I’m still going to hang out at the laundromat selling quarters three four a dollar. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2020, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/17 "2020-09-16T02:05:58Z")
Any chance it was money laundering a lot of small bills? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2020, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/18 "2020-09-16T02:11:52Z")
How did they make money on the deal? _Volume_ [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SZcrHNOhhXs/maxresdefault.jpg "SNL First bank change") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZcrHNOhhXs) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2021, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/19 "2021-07-24T02:46:54Z")
I just came back from grocery shopping and had taken our coin bank with me, hoping to exchange the contents at the Coinstar kiosk. That thing is still out of order. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2021, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626/20 "2021-07-24T09:00:04Z")
Sorry to hear that. It’s inconvenient for you and inconvenient for the people on the other end who want/need your coins. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage/920626.md?page=2)