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Chances are you’ve seen the signs in stores or drive-thrus recently that request using exact change, credit or debit cards for payment. This is due to a national coin shortage which is part of the ripple effect from long-term shutdowns of businesses across the U.S. as a result of COVID-19.
The issue originally began because the U.S. Mint started producing fewer coins than normal this past spring. Now banks, retailers and more are having to ration their coin supply. The Mint has begun to ramp up production, but it likely will take a few months to catch up.
– Abby Watkins, 360 Media, Inc.