JT10 said:
I think population density is the key. More people = more money in circulation. The east coast has always been heavily populated, so it would stand to reason that when the old coins were minted more of them stayed in the area.
I have a researched answer to that question. And there are three reasons.
First off, back east people lived there a long time ago. So money from way back when is still there. OUt west, people didn't arrive until later. So older coins are not here in the same quantities as back east. Then, when people move from NJ to AZ, or even to FL, they empty their houses in order to move. They get rid of things. Their old coin collectons in jars get cashed in instead of carried long distances to the new home.
I know for antique furniture, there is a lack of things in AZ. I've been to estate sales, and not much is there. But I've been to estate sales in VA, NJ, and PA, and there are lots of old things. Same reason. Talking to the auctionners, when people move from there to here, they sell or give away their old things, and buy new cheap furniture when they move out here. So again the east has it becauase the old people were there a long time ago, and not here a long time ago.
Last reason that adds to it for coins. The bank said that in the west, we are net "users" of coins. They are ordering new coins all the time from the fed. Our population is growing, and people need more coins but there are not a lot of old coins, so we use more than we give back. that means we have newer coins out here, as they order new coins from the fed. Back east, they are net "suppliers" of coins. The banks have more than they use (overall. Not each bank) and routinely give coins back to the fed. Some older ones are destroyed, but most circulate and stay within the banks and don't go back to the fed. The banks swap coins around that have been around for a long time. The coins out here are newly minted and sent here for the needs of the banks that have no coins. So coins ordered for CRH people back east come from circulation, and coins out west come from the fed in new boxes.
Which explains why AGAIN last week about HALF my dime orders were 2010D dimes. :-( Why can't I get some 2009D dimes!
Those three reasons are the answer. 1) Older settlements yield older items, including coins, 2) people putting older coins into ciruclation when they give up their collections to move (Or they die) and 3) net needs of coins at the banks and therefore from the fed out west versus circulating coins from oversupply of other banks to banks back east.
im just kidding, all you east coasters hahaha. but really, i have wondered the SAME EXACT THING ever since i first started, so i too would like to know the answer if anyone has one...keep it up and hh!
