2024 Jefferson Nickel Mintages.

Denomination            Denver                  Philadelphia            Total
Lincoln Cents           1,311,600,000           1,322,000,000           2,633,600,000
Jefferson 5 Cents          32,880,000              36,720,000              69,600,000
Roosevelt                 182,000,000             191,500,000             373,500,000
Quarter Program           766,000,000             747,000,000           1,513,000,000
Kennedy                    14,800,000              12,300,000              27,100,000
Native American             1,120,000               1,120,000               2,240,000
Total                   2,308,400,000           2,310,640,000           4,619,040,000

Hmm, that's very interesting. At first, I thought maybe it's just too many people turning in their coins, due to bad economic conditions, which is what caused low mintages during the 2007-2008 global financial crisis. But then, it looks like the other denominations weren't affected, so that shot down that theory.

There are only 2 other possibilities I can think of. There was news a while ago that the US Mint was looking at ways to reduce cost. So maybe it's gotten too expensive to make those nickels, which are still 25% nickel and 75% copper. Maybe they are getting ready to switch nickels to nickel-plated zincoins, too, so they're not making too many more of the "good" ones.

The other possibility is that nickels are just falling out favor with consumers. They may be largely replaced by dimes, quarters, etc., as prices go up, and nickels are being relegated to the realm/usefulness of cents. So there may be just not a big demand for nickels. But again, based on the info shared, I didn't see a big drop in nickel mintages until 2024, so this theory may not be workable, either.

Anyway, just a couple of guesses. I'm sure the Mint knows why, but I doubt they'd share.

Cheers!

Step right up, folks!

The nickel has been too expensive the better part of two decades now. It is worse than the cent!

Thank you!

Wow! I'm missed the ride...