Mint output drops

U.S. Mint coin production dropped from June to July, but it still notched the second highest production rate for the year.

Almost 822 million circulating coins were struck at the facilities in Denver and Philadelphia in July, compared to 903 million pieces in June.

So far in 2011, the Mint has turned out almost 4.95 billion coins.

The entire output decline in July was attributable to Denver as Philadelphia actually produced almost 11 million more coins in July compared to June.

Most of that decline occurred in the cent denomination where Denver struck 210 million pieces in July compared to 269.2 million in June.

Both mints saw a net gain in quarter production as the small July totals of 25 million in Philadelphia and 25.2 million in Denver are both up from zero.

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Quarter output continues to be depressed by the huge numbers turned out during the state quarter program 1999-2008.

So far in 2011, the Mint has produced a combined 234 million quarters at the Philadelphia and Denver facilities.

Had it not been for the necessity of striking quarters of the Vicksburg National Military Park design, the denomination could very well have remained dormant for another month.

Dormant is the word for the half dollar and the Native American dollar, which the Mint calls the Golden dollar. None of these has been produced since March.

Presidential dollar coin output also declined in July, but not all the way to zero as some in Congress would like to see. The nearly 25 million coins struck in July is about half the June output.

So far in 2011, 223.16 million Presidential dollars have been produced.