Vending

US Mint urges consumers to use exact change to relieve coin shortage

Image courtesy of iStock

August 7, 2020

The United States Mint is issuing a public service announcement asking citizens to use exact change to relieve the nation's coin shortage.

Mint Director David J. Ryder wants the public to "help get coins moving by using exact change when making purchases, taking your coins to financial institutions, or turning them in for cash at coin recycling kiosks," according to a press release. Ryder also advises that people "remember to follow all health and safety guidelines when you are out spending or recycling your coins."

Coins are not circulating through the economy as quickly as they were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ryder said, which means sometimes coins are not readily available where needed.

For an update on how the coronavirus has affected convenience services, click here.