The answer to that is yes, there has been. This was due to the COVID 19 Pandemic. During early March, the U.S. Mint had to shut down to protect their employees, as many businesses did across America. Therefore, while their employees were off, the need for coins in the Country’s monetary system continued. As a result, banks were limited to the amount of coins they could purchase from the Federal Reserve therefore resulting in less coins in circulation. As of this week, that limit has been eased somewhat and banks can now get more coins than in the past few weeks as the employees of the Mint have gone back to work. It was simply the supply chain was interrupted as was the case with many other consumables across the country.

According to the Local Banker we spoke with, this would be a good time to roll your loose change and take it to your bank to exchange for the folding money and get the coins back into circulation.

We asked the Banker about the Social Media Rumor of Businesses not accepting cash for purchases and requesting debit or credit card payment. He said he was not aware of any businesses not accepting cash but said he was aware some did ask for exact change for purchase due to coin shortage earlier.

Hopefully, the coin issue will be resolved as more coins get back into circulation.