A super quick search on google reveals two causes: - The US mint slowed production to protect workers - The shutdowns slowed circulation of existing coins Gi

A super quick search on google reveals two causes: - The US mint slowed production to protect workers - The shutdowns slowed circulation of existing coins Given that a large percentage of coins are irredeemably damaged or lost each year (I once knew a particularly spoiled college student who would simply throw change away rather than deal with keeping them) it doesnt seem like much explanation is owed beyond that.