By Clyde Noel

Town Crier Correspondent

The United States Mint’s popular state coin production started in 1999, but the slump in the economy over the last year has dampened the demand for the coins.

The coins are released to the Federal Reserve Bank then distributed to other banks. While the schedule has not changed (the mint issues a new coin approximately every 10 weeks), not as many state quarters are circulated now. Statistics issued by the U.S. Mint show production peaked in 2000 and has declined since.

Many collectors hold on to the coins, but the vast majority of the state quarters are used in commerce and are circulating. They can be found in areas with high populations and/or heavy demand for quarters in coin slots.

The 50 state program will be completed in 2008. The latest coin, Louisiana, was released last week; Indiana and Mississippi will follow this year.

Rolls and bags can be ordered directly from the mint. For example, a two-roll set containing 80 coins costs $32, and a 100-coin bag is $35.50.

The coins are minted in the order that the states joined the Union. The following state coins have been issued:

1999: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Connecticut;

2000: Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire and Virginia;

2001: New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont and Kentucky;

2002: Tennessee, Ohio and Louisiana.

For more information, call-1(800)872-6468 or logon to www.usmint.gov.