How the US Government Circulates Coins

The US Mint does not put money directly into your pocket. Instead, they sell coins to the Federal Reserve, which releases them into the economy based on demand.

It is a common misconception that the Mint handles the flow of cash into daily life. In reality, the Mint acts as a manufacturer that fulfills orders from the Federal Reserve Banks. These banks serve as the middleman, deciding how many coins the public actually needs. If there is a surplus or a shortage, they pull coins from circulation or push new ones out to keep the system balanced.