United States Mint 

Mission Statement 

The men and women of the United States Mint serve the nation by exclusively and 

efficiently creating the highest quality, most beautiful and inspiring coins and medals that 

enable commerce; reflect American values; advance artistic excellence; educate the 

public by commemorating people, places and events; and fulfill retail demand for coins. 

Program Summary by Budget Activity 

(Dollars in Thousands) 

FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 

Resources Actual Actual Estimated $ Change % Change 

Manufacturing $2,215,183 $1,974,420 $2,013,908 $39,488 2.0% 

Protection $43,318 $47,744 $48,699 $955 2.0%

Total Resources $2,258,501 $2,022,164 $2,062,607 $40,443 2.0% 

Total FTE 

 

1,812 

 

1,955 

 

1,955 

 

- 0.0% 

FY 2011 Priorities 

• Efficiently and effectively produce and distribute approximately 9.5 billion coins to 

meet demand for circulating coins during FY 2011 to enable commerce, an important 

strategic objective for the Department of the Treasury. 

• Mint and issue coins and products required by the America’s Beautiful National Parks 

Quarter-Dollar Coin Act. 

• Mint and issue Presidential $1 Coins for circulation to honor the following Presidents: 

Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes. 

• Mint and issue the Native American $1 Coin. 

• Prepare and distribute recurring numismatic and bullion products and sets, as well as 

other numismatic items, in quantities sufficient to make them accessible, available, 

and affordable to Americans who choose to purchase them. 

• Design, strike and prepare for presentation Congressional Gold Medals, and other 

national medals, as required by law. 

• Continue to secure the nation’s gold reserves, silver and other assets. 

• Mint for sale to the public the United States Army Commemorative Coin and the 

Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin. 

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Table of Contents 

Section 1 – Purpose ........................................................................................................... 2

1A – Description of Bureau Vision and Priorities .......................................................... 2 

1B – Program History and Future Outlook ..................................................................... 2 

1C – Industry Outlook .................................................................................................... 4 

Section 2 – Budget Adjustments and Appropriation Language ................................... 7

2.2 – Operating Levels Table .......................................................................................... 7 

2.3 – Resource Detail Table ............................................................................................ 8 

2B – Appropriations Language and Explanation of Changes ......................................... 9 

2C – Legislative Proposals ............................................................................................. 9 

Section 3 – Budget and Performance Plan ................................................................... 10

3.1 – Budget by Strategic Outcome .............................................................................. 10 

Section 4 – Supporting Materials .................................................................................. 16

4A – Human Capital Strategy Description ................................................................... 16 

4.1 – Summary of IT Resources Table ......................................................................... 18 

4B – Information Technology Strategy ........................................................................ 19 

4.2 – Program Evaluation Table ................................................................................... 20 

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Section 1 – Purpose 

1A – Description of Bureau Vision and Priorities 

The United States Mint manufactures and delivers domestic circulating coinage, 

numismatic coinage, bullion coin products, and national medals. The United States Mint 

provides security for assets, including the government’s stock of gold bullion, silver 

bullion, coins and coinage metals. 

The United States Mint is the world’s largest coin manufacturer with operations in 

California, Colorado, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Its 

vision is “to embody the American spirit through the creation of our nation’s coins and 

medals.” The United States Mint is committed to achieving efficient operations and 

providing value to the American people. To support this commitment, a new strategic 

planning framework which addressed several key questions was implemented in FY 

2008: 

• What does the United States Mint want to be? This question was answered by 

defining the United States Mint’s vision, mission, values, and priorities. 

• How will the United States Mint know when it reached its goals? Key metrics 

and indicators were developed to gauge our progress in meeting our goals. 

• Where is the United States Mint now? The United States Mint performed an 

honest assessment of our strengths and weaknesses in the seven areas outlined in 

the Baldrige Quality Award Criteria for High Performance (criteria used for 

judging within a highly respected award system for industry workplace 

performance). The United States Mint will periodically reassess its position in 

these areas. 

• How does the United States Mint achieve its goals? The United States Mint’s 

five-year plan is broken down into year-by-year action steps. Annually, during 

the strategic cycle, the United States Mint establishes annual action items, and 

implements work plans to make continuous progress in achieving objectives and 

goals. This approach allows the linkage among budgets, all employees’ work 

objectives, and performance plans to the desired outcomes. Through employing 

this strategic framework, the United States Mint will gauge its progress more 

effectively and communicate the results to the American public. 

1B – Program History and Future Outlook 

Since FY 1996, the United States Mint has operated under the United States Mint’s 

Public Enterprise Fund (PEF). As authorized by Public Law 104-52 (codified at 31 

U.S.C. § 5136), the PEF eliminates the need for appropriations. Proceeds from the sales 

of circulating coins to the Federal Reserve Banks (FRB) and numismatic items to the 

public are the source of funding for operations. Both operating expenses and capital 

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investments are associated with the production of circulating and numismatic coins and 

coin-related products, and protective services. Revenues in excess of amounts required 

by the PEF are transferred to the United States Treasury General Fund. By law, all funds 

in the PEF are available without fiscal year limitation. 

The economic environment significantly affects the United States Mint’s financial 

performance. In FY 2009, slowing economic activity reduced demand for circulating 

coins to 5.2 billion coins. Commercial banks and other financial institutions curtailed 

orders for coins and returned excess coins to the Federal Reserve Banks (FRB). The FRB 

decreased orders for newly minted coins in response to these conditions. As a result, 

circulating coin revenue fell sharply in FY 2009. Revenue for FY 2009 totaled $777.6 

million, a decrease of 40 percent from FY 2008. Because of the significant decline in 

circulating revenue, the United States Mint transfers to the Treasury General Fund were 

$475 million (compared to $750 million in FY 2008). 

While prices for copper, nickel and zinc remained below levels experienced in prior fiscal 

years, FY 2009 results showed an upward trend in prices. This increase should continue 

as the global economy improves. Metal prices have had a significant effect on circulating 

coinage results. While declining from last year, the unit cost to manufacture the one-cent 

coin (penny) and 5-cent coin (nickel) denominations remained above face value for the 

third consecutive fiscal year. Changing the composition of all circulating coins to less 

expensive materials would ultimately result in significant taxpayer savings without 

compromising the utility of these coins. Accordingly, the Department of the Treasury 

continues to work with Congress to examine alternatives to mitigate the effect current 

metal prices are having on circulating coinage. 

In FY 2009, demand for the United States Mint’s gold and silver bullion coins remained 

at unprecedented levels. Bullion revenue reached $1.7 billion, a $746 million (78.6 

percent) increase over FY 2008. Efficient use of production capacity allowed the United 

States Mint to achieve significant bullion production volume without incurring additional 

operating costs. The United States Mint expects demand for bullion coins to remain 

strong for a sustained period until economic conditions improve and investors are drawn 

toward alternative investments. Numismatic revenue fell to $440 million from $557 

million in FY 2008. Economic conditions may have suppressed a portion of the public’s 

spending for numismatic products. However, the extent of this is unclear since similar 

product lines were not available for sale this year compared with last year because 

precious metal planchets were diverted to fulfill demand for bullion products. 

The overall financial outlook for the United States Mint is expected to improve in FY 

2011. Circulating revenue and seigniorage are projected to increase as economic activity 

recovers and coin demand grows with increasing cash transactions. Efforts to promote 

the $1 coin circulation and the continuation of the America the Beautiful quarters should 

augment circulating financial results as well. However, economic conditions can 

significantly impact the United States Mint’s financial results. For example, metal and 

fabrication costs typically make up the largest portion of circulating expenses and 

accounted for 53 to 73 percent of total expenses between FY 2004 and FY 2008. Since 

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global economic conditions determine the demand for and market prices of metals, a 

robust global economy tends to increase demand for these commodities. 

Challenges

A changing operating environment is posing new challenges and opportunities for the 

United States Mint. Some of the key challenges the United States Mint expects to face in 

the coming years are the following: 

• Meeting Coin Demand Under any Conditions – Even in a fairly stable economic 

environment, there will always be variations from month-to-month and year-to-year 

in the level of coin production needed to enable commerce. Significant shifts in the 

monthly production levels of circulating coins create an unstable environment that is 

disruptive to the efficient operation of the manufacturing plants. The United States 

Mint is taking measures to ensure inventory levels are appropriate to respond to coin 

demand in any economic environment.

 

• Promoting Robust Circulation of $1 Coins – From the inception of the program, $1 

coin shipments have steadily declined. This is largely attributable to weakening 

collector demand. Depository institutions and retailers consider the $1 coin more a 

collectible than legal tender for commerce. To overcome institutional, attitudinal and 

behavioral barriers to robust circulation of $1 coins, the United States Mint developed 

a three-pronged strategy and tested it in a four-city pilot program. Key lessons 

learned from the pilot experience are being used to develop the United States Mint 

future efforts in this area. Achieving steady and sustained transactional demand for $1 

coins is critical to the long-term success of the $1 Coin Program. 

• Rising Prices of Base Metals Leading to Higher Circulating Production Costs

– As previously stated, the current prices of zinc, copper, and nickel have 

increased the cost of producing circulating coinage. This is causing the penny and 

nickel to cost more than their face value on a per-unit basis. As a result, the 

Department of the Treasury continues to work with Congress on legislation that 

would authorize the Secretary to approve alternative coinage materials to mitigate 

the effect of high metals prices. This legislative package includes an “approach” 

that ensures the United States Mint will employ a process for selecting the 

alternative metal that will seek public and industry comment to ensure that all 

factors relevant to the acceptability of new coinage materials are considered. 

These factors include, but are not limited to, physical, chemical, metallurgical and 

technical characteristics. Once the agency has a comprehensive inventory of 

these factors and their relative significance, the United States Mint would employ 

an objective, competitive, and public process to solicit and evaluate proposals for 

new coinage materials. The United States Mint will continue to produce 

circulating coinage as currently mandated by Congress. 

• Volatile Precious Metal Markets - Record growth and volatility in the prices of 

gold, silver, and platinum present unique challenges to our bullion and 

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numismatic operations. The bullion markets continued the unprecedented growth 

that began in FY 2008. Weak equity markets and declines in the United States 

dollar against most foreign currencies drove investors to commodities as safe 

havens, especially gold and silver. The United States Mint is one of the world’s 

largest producers of gold and silver coins. However, production capacity and the 

volume of precious metal blanks provided by suppliers have constrained the 

number of bullion products the United States Mint can produce and sell in the 

past. 

1C – Industry Outlook 

The United States Mint’s future outlook is impacted by a variety of factors including the 

price of metals, circulating coin demand, customers’ interest in numismatic and bullion 

products, and economic trends. For example, the recent economic trends have prompted 

a comprehensive appraisal of circulating coin production and distribution operations. 

The United States Mint is taking measures to ensure inventory levels are appropriate to 

respond to coin demand in any economic environment. Furthermore, the enactment of 

legislation in recent years has allowed the United States Mint to expand product lines in 

both numismatic and circulating segments. While sales of new and core recurring 

products has been strong, the United States Mint recognizes the need to continually 

improve its portfolio of products. This includes utilizing more efficient production 

capacity, developing additional production techniques and accommodating new designs 

and products, while analyzing the market and communicating with the public. 

The United States Mint has established the following goals as our underlying foundation 

to address these challenges, today and in the future: 

Enable commerce by efficiently meeting public demand for coins through cost effective 

and high quality production 

The United States Mint continually strives for efficient coin manufacturing and sales 

operations. Greater efficiency benefits the American public as well as our customers. 

The United States Mint is researching and developing new technologies and new 

materials to achieve greater capabilities and efficiencies, and to meet higher quality 

standards, in the design and manufacturing processes. For example in FY 2009, the 

United States Mint researched a state-of-the-art visual inspection system for circulating 

coin production. The goal is to use the system to continuously scan circulating coins for 

obvious visual and dimensional defects. By reducing production and administrative 

costs, the United States Mint is able to transfer a larger amount of its excess proceeds 

from circulating coins to the Treasury General Fund. Greater productivity and efficiency 

also allow us to keep the sale price of our numismatic products as low as practicable for 

our customers. 

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Establish and reinforce the exclusive brand identity of the United States Mint 

The United States Mint is a well-known brand within the numismatic and coin collecting 

community. However, the United States Mint believes there are opportunities to improve 

its brand identity among members of the general public. Strengthening the United States 

Mint brand is essential to making numismatic products more accessible to the public and 

to the efforts to move $1 coins from collectors’ items to robust general circulation. The 

current strategic planning process encompasses the design and development of costeffective programs to reinforce the United States Mint brand. 

Create and execute the most effective numismatic and bullion coin and medal portfolio 

that satisfies public and investor demand 

The United States Mint has achieved substantial growth in its numismatic operations over 

the past several years. Recent legislation has established new coin programs that include 

products for circulation and for numismatic customers. A key element of the United 

States Mint strategy is to analyze current and historic products, reassess customer 

demand, and explore ethnic and geographic markets to develop the optimal product 

portfolio. A more optimal product portfolio will allow the United States Mint to better 

serve the needs of the collector marketplace. 

Achieve greater excellence in coin and medal design 

The United States Mint recognizes and embraces its responsibility to do more than 

merely produce coins and medals. Coins are one of the most visible, tangible 

representations of a nation. Thus, the United States Mint believes its products are 

exceptional artistic mediums for expressing the national character, memorializing the 

past, and embodying the future. While prior successes in coin and medal design are 

noteworthy, the United States Mint strives to reach new levels in design excellence. A 

concerted, agency-wide plan is necessary to enhance successful programs and realize 

greater achievements. 

Develop optimal workforce and workplace culture

The United States Mint continues to strive to develop its workforce to ensure that each 

employee has the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively and 

meaningfully contribute to the mission. The United States Mint’s Human Capital 

Strategy focuses on the President’s key issues such as hiring reform, employee 

satisfaction and wellness requirements. Simultaneously, the Mint is committed to 

providing its employees with a healthy and safe workplace that enables them to meet 

mission requirements in the most efficient and effective manner possible. 
Section 2 – Budget Adjustments and Appropriation Language 

2.2 – Operating Levels Table 

(Dollars in thousands) 

 FY 2009 

Actual 

FY 2010 

Estimated 

FY 2011 

Estimated 

% Change 

FY2010-

FY2011 

FTE 

1,812 

 

1,955 

 

1,955 0.0% 

Object Classification: 

 

11.1 Full-Time Permanent Positions 129,600 143,860 146,738 2.0% 

 

11.1 Other than Full-Time Permanent Positions 799 46 47 2.1% 

 

11.5 Other Personnel Compensation 16,965 11,307 11,533 2.0% 

 

12.0 Personnel Benefits 37,611 45,921 46,840 2.0% 

 

13.0 Benefits to Former Personnel 381 1,050 1,071 2.0% 

 

21.0 Travel 3,370 3,920 3,999 2.0% 

 

22.0 Transportation of Things 32,209 31,470 32,100 2.0% 

 

23.1 Rental Payments to GSA 389 394 394 0.0% 

 

23.2 Rent Payments to Others 21,091 22,987 23,446 2.0% 

 

23.3 Communications, Utilities, & Misc 14,389 16,252 16,586 2.0% 

 

24.0 Printing and Reproduction 4,138 4,803 4,899 2.0% 

 

25.1 Advisory & Assistance Services 30,346 58,670 59,843 2.0% 

 

25.2 Other Services 51,879 62,099 63,338 2.0% 

 

25.3 Purchase of Goods/Serv. from Govt. Accts 19,708 8,768 8,943 2.0% 

 

25.5 Research & Development Contracts 830 1,876 1,914 2.0% 

 

25.7 Operation & Maintenance of Equipment 13,863 12,783 13,039 2.0% 

 

26.0 Supplies and Materials 1,878,752 1,592,344 1,624,192 2.0% 

 

31.0 Equipment 2,179 3,608 3,680 2.0% 

 

42.0 Insurance Claims & Indemn 2 5 5 0.0% 

Total Budget Authority $2,258,501 2,022,164 $2,062,607 2.0% 

Budget Activities: 

Manufacturing 2,215,183 1,974,420 2,013,908 2.0%

Protection 43,318 47,744 48,699 2.0%

Total Budget Authority $2,258,501 $2,022,164 $2,062,607 2.0% 

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2.3 – Resource Detail Table 

(Dollars in Thousands) 

 

FY 2009 

Actual 

FY 2010 

Estimated 

FY 2011 

Estimated 

% Change 

FY 2010 

to FY 2011 

FTE Amount FTE Amount FTE Amount FTE Amount

Budgetary Resources: 

Revenue / Offsetting Collections 

Circulating $536,350 $616,000 $868,440 40.98%

- DC & Territories Quarters 180,938 - - 0.00%

Commemorative Quarters (50 States) 60,312 - - 0.00%

Numismatic 2,134,800 1,750,400 1,349,218 -22.92%

Total Revenue / Offsetting Collections $2,912,400 $2,366,400 $2,217,658 23.07%

 Unobligated balances, Start of year 0 0 0 0.00%

 Recoveries of prior year obligations 0 0 0 0.00%

BA: Offsetting Collections - Anticipated, 

without advance 0 0 0 0.00%

Total budgetary resources available $2,912,400 $2,366,400 $2,217,658 23.07%

Expenditures/Obligations 

Circulating 381 106,387 724 587,234 724 711,878 0.00% 21.23%

- DC & Territories Quarters 218 35,770 0 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00%

Commemorative Quarters (50 States) 72 12,026 0 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00%

Numismatic 815 2,061,000 881 1,387,186 881 1,302,030 0.00% -6.14%

Protection 326 43,318 350 47,744 350 48,699 0.00% 2.00%

Total Expenditures / Obligations 1,812 $2,258,501 1,955 $2,022,164 1,955 $2,062,607 0.00% 2.00%

 Capital Investments $23,996 $49,948 $54,600 

Net Results $653,899 $344,236 $155,051 21.07%

 Coin Shipments (In Millions) 

Circulating: 

One-Cent 3,218 3,600 5,874

5-Cent 207 100 1,013

Dime 358 1,000 1,208

Quarter 965 300 1,013

Half-Dollar - - -

Dollar 459 400 385

Total Circulating 5,207 5,400 9,493 

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2B – Appropriations Language and Explanation of Changes 

Appropriations Language Explanation of 

Changes 

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 

UNITED STATES MINT PUBLIC ENTERPRISE FUND 

Federal Funds 

Pursuant to section 5136 of title 31, United States Code, the 

United States Mint is provided funding through the United States 

Mint Public Enterprise Fund for costs associated with the 

production of circulating coins, numismatic coins, and protective 

services, including both operating expenses and capital 

investments. The aggregate amount of new liabilities and 

obligations incurred during fiscal year [2010] 2011 under such 

section 5136 for circulating coinage and protective service capital 

investments of the United States Mint shall not exceed 

[$26,750,000] $25,000,000. 

2C – Legislative Proposals 

This legislative proposal would authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to approve 

alternative coinage materials to mitigate the effect of high metals prices. Specifically, 

the proposal would allow the Secretary to explore, analyze, and approve new, less 

expensive materials for all circulating coins based on factors that he determines to be 

appropriate. These factors include, but are not limited to, the physical, chemical, 

metallurgical and technical characteristics of the coins, as well as any other factors 

necessary to ensure the coins' utility and integrity. Once the agency has a 

comprehensive inventory of factors and their relative significance, the United States 

Mint would employ an objective, competitive, and public process to solicit and 

evaluate proposals for new coinage materials. The United States Mint will continue 

to produce circulating coinage as currently mandated by Congress. 

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Section 3 – Budget and Performance Plan 

This table lists all FY 2011 resources by strategic goal, objective and outcome outlined in 

the FY 2007-2012 Treasury Department Strategic Plan. The Treasury Strategic Plan is a 

corporate level plan for the Department that provides a description of what the agency 

intends to accomplish over a five year time period. 

For detailed information about the FY 2007-2012 Treasury Strategic Plan, please go to: 

http://www.treasury.gov/offices/management/budget/strategic_plan.shtml

3.1 – Budget by Strategic Outcome 

(Dollars in Thousands) 

Treasury Strategic Outcome FY 2010 FY 2011 Percent 

Estimated Estimated Change 

U.S. notes & coins $2,022,164 $2,062,607 2.0% 

Total $2,022,164 $2,062,607 2.0% 

3A – Manufacturing ($2,013,908,000 from reimbursable programs): 

The United States Mint manufactures and sells products. For budget reporting purposes, 

these products are grouped into two programs: Circulating Coinage and Numismatic 

Program. 

Circulating Coinage 

The primary mission of the United States Mint is to enable commerce by minting and 

issuing circulating coinage to meet the needs of the United States. Circulating coinage 

includes the penny, five-cent, dime, quarter-dollar, half-dollar and dollar. The United 

States Mint delivers the circulating coinage to the Federal Reserve Banks, at face value, 

for distribution as demanded by commerce. 

The current FY 2011 budget estimate includes resource needs of $712 million to produce 

and ship 9.5 billion coins and generate $868 million in face value. 

By spending $712 million on circulating coinage in FY 2011, the United States Mint will 

produce and ship approximately: 

• 5.9 billion one-cent coins, generating face value of $58.6 million, 

• 1.0 billion five-cent coins, generating face value of $50.7 million, 

• 1.2 billion dime coins, generating face value of $120.8 million, 

• 1.0 billion quarter-dollar coins, generating face value of $253.3 million, 

• 385 million dollar coins, generating face value of $385 million. 

America the Beautiful Quarters Program 

Beginning in 2010 through 2020, the United States Mint will mint and issue 

commemorative quarter-dollar coins honoring our national parks and other national sites, 

in accordance with the America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 

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2008 (Public Law 110-456). This program honors national parks and sites in the order in 

which they were first established as a national park or site. Similar to the issuance of 

coins under the 50 State Quarters Program, quarter-dollar coins featuring five different 

coin designs will be issued each year of this program. 

The United States Mint recently completed the process to select national sites that will be 

honored through this program. National sites for consideration include any site under the 

supervision, management, or conservancy of the National Park Service, the United States 

Forest Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or any similar department or 

agency of the Federal government. The United States Mint consulted with the chief 

executive of each jurisdiction (State/District of Columbia/Territory) and the Secretary of 

the Interior to ensure the appropriateness of each of the 56 national site recommendations 

and to validate the date on which each recommended site was established as a national 

site. The United States Mint then recommended a final candidate list determined to be 

the most appropriate in terms of natural and historic significance to the Secretary of the 

Treasury, who approved the final national site list in August 2009. The approved list also 

established the order in which each quarter-dollar is released. 

Numismatic Program 

The United States Mint prepares and distributes numismatic products, including proof 

and uncirculated versions of coins, directly to the public. For some numismatic products, 

authorizing legislation specifies program requirements, such as design theme, mintage 

level and duration of product availability. Other programs are structured by law to grant 

the Secretary of the Treasury discretion in determining product specifications. The 

Numismatic Program includes the American Eagle Program, the American Buffalo 

Program, the recurring programs, commemorative coins, and medals. (All American 

Eagle and American Buffalo numismatic product sales were suspended following the first 

quarter of FY 2009 in order to divert planchets to meet bullion demand.) The United 

States Mint also produces bullion coins under American Eagle and American Buffalo 

Programs to fulfill investor demand. The current FY 2011 budget estimate includes 

resource needs of $1,302 million to generate $1,350 million in revenues from the sale of 

these products. 

The American Eagle Program consists of the United States Mint’s premier collectible 

products. These coins contain platinum, gold, and silver and are issued in proof or 

uncirculated quality. Gold proof coins are issued with one-tenth, one-quarter, one-half or 

one ounce precious metal content. Gold uncirculated coins are issued with one ounce of 

gold content. Silver proof and uncirculated coins are issued with one ounce of silver 

metal content. Platinum proof coins are issued with one ounce of platinum metal content. 

Recurring programs include high quality, specially presented products based on 

circulating coinage. These products include proof sets, uncirculated sets, quarter-dollar 

coin sets, and $1 Coin sets. These products are designed for mass appeal. 

Commemorative coins are authorized by Congress to celebrate and honor American 

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people, places, events, and institutions. Each is minted and issued by the United States 

Mint in limited quantity and is available only for a limited time. Included in the price is a 

surcharge that is authorized to be paid to the designated recipient organizations for 

projects that benefit the community. In FY 2011, the United States Mint will produce the 

United States Army Commemorative Coin (P.L. 110-450). 

Bullion coins are largely bought by precious metal dealers and sold to consumers who 

desire precious metals as part of an investment portfolio. The demand for bullion coins is 

greatly influenced by the performance of other investment options such as equities 

markets or currency markets and therefore is highly unpredictable. The content and 

purity of bullion coins are backed by the United States Government. 

3.2.1 – Manufacturing Budget and Performance Plan 

(Dollars in Thousands) 

Manufacturing Budget Activity 

 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 

Resource Level Actual Actual Actual Estimated Estimated 

Appropriated Resources $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 

Reimbursable Resources 2,002,796 2,014,698 2,215,903 1,974,420 2,013,908 

Total Resources $2,002,796 $2,014,698 $2,215,903 $1,974,420 $2,013,908 

 

Budget Activity Total $2,002,796 $2,014,698 $2,215,903 $1,974,420 $2,013,908 

Measure FY 2007

Actual 

FY 2008 

Actual 

FY 2009 FY 2010 

Target 

FY 2011

Target Actual Target 

Cost per 1000 Coin Equivalents 

($)(E) $8.46 DISC DISC DISC DISC DISC 

Customer Satisfaction Index 

(%)(Oe) 90.5% 87.5% 88.0% 88.3% 88% 88% 

 

Numismatic Customer Base (Ot) 0.97 1.27 1.40 1.06 0.90 1.00 

Numismatic Net Margin (%)(E) 14% 15% 15% 9.4% DISC DISC 

Seigniorage per Dollar Issued 

($)(E) $0.58 $0.55 $0.54 $0.55 $0.53 TBD 

Absolute Value of Production 

Percent Deviation from Net-Pay 

(%) (Oe) N/A N/A B 6.5% DISC DISC 

Circulating On-Time Delivery 

(%) (Oe) N/A N/A N/A N/A B TBD 

Key: Oe - Outcome Measure, E - Efficiency Measure, Ot - Output/Workload Measure, and M – Management/ 

Customer Satisfaction, DISC – Discontinued, B – Baseline, TBD – To be determined 

Description of Performance: 

The United States Mint developed several key performance measures to gauge the 

progress of achieving each of its strategic goals. The following performance measures 

are monitored to assess the United States Mint’s performance by budget activity for 

Manufacturing and Sales. 

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Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) 

A United States Mint contractor conducts a quarterly Customer Satisfaction Measure 

(CSM) Tracking Survey among a random sample of active customers. The CSM Survey 

is intended to capture customer satisfaction with the United States Mint’s performance as 

a coin supplier and the quality of specific products. The CSI is a single quantitative score 

of CSM Survey results. In FY 2009, the United States Mint results were 88.3 percent, 

exceeding the target of 88 percent and increasing slightly from the FY 2008 result of 87.5 

percent. 

Numismatic Customer Base 

The numismatic customer base consists of the total number of unique purchasers (in 

millions) with a purchase of at least one numismatic product during the fiscal year. The 

numismatic customer base measure provides information on the continued and new 

demand for numismatic products. The FY 2009 numismatic customer base totaled 1.06 

million, below the target of 1.40 million. The United States Mint customer retention and 

acquisition performance declined because the bureau was unable to offer several core 

numismatic products for sales after January 2009. Economic conditions may have also 

curtailed customer spending on collectibles from prior years. 

The United States Mint began to full satisfy bullion demand in the later months of the 

fiscal year. Consequently, the bureau hopes to offer some numismatic products for sale 

in FY 2010 that were unavailable in FY 2009. 

Numismatic Net Margin 

Numismatic net margin is the return to numismatic (non-bullion) operations, calculated 

as program net income divided by total program sales. The numismatic program is 

managed to a 15 percent net margin overall to ensure sale prices are as low as practicable 

and returns are sufficient to fund numismatic operating costs. Numismatic net margin 

was 9.4 percent in FY 2009, below the target of 15 percent. Precious metal supply 

constraints prevented the United States Mint from selling some of its core numismatic 

products in FY 2009, significantly inhibiting the bureau’s ability to meet the net margin. 

This measure is discontinued in FY 2010. 

Seigniorage per Dollar Issued 

Seigniorage per dollar issued is the return to circulating operations, calculated as 

seigniorage divided by the total face value of circulated coinage shipped to Federal 

Reserve Banks. Actual results for FY 2009 were $0.55, above the target of $0.54. 

Weakened demand reduced the United States Mint’s return from circulating operations in 

FY 2009. Base metal expenses and the mix of circulating coin ordered by the FRB 

largely determine seigniorage per dollar issued performance. This measure is 

discontinued in FY 2010. 

Circulating On-Time Delivery 

On-time delivery to the Federal Reserve Banks (FRB) is the percentage of total scheduled 

orders shipped on time to the FRB. The United States Mint is responsible for providing 

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the Nation’s coinage in sufficient quantity to meet the needs of commerce. To 

accomplish this mission, the United States Mint must supply coinage in the quantities and 

timelines specified by the FRB. The FRB is then responsible for distributing coinage to 

the commercial banking sector. 

3B – Protection ($48,699,000 from reimbursable programs): The United States Mint 

secures over $240 billion in market value of the nation’s gold reserves, silver, and other 

assets. The United States Mint Police protects United States Mint assets while 

safeguarding its employees against potential threats at its facilities across the country. 

The United States Mint Police addresses possible threats by ensuring good perimeter 

security at all sites, and increasing coordination with various Federal, state and local law 

enforcement agencies. It also ensures that proper policies are in place, and procedures 

followed, in handling the assets used to produce coinage. Plans include efforts to 

leverage new technology to automate entry and exit procedures at United States Mint 

facilities. Innovative threat assessment strategies will continue to be pursued to 

effectively prevent and counteract any security threats against its operations. 

3.2.2 – Protection Budget and Performance Plan 

(Dollars in Thousands) 

Protection Budget Activity 

 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 

Resource Level Actual Actual Actual Estimated Estimated 

Appropriated Resources $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Reimbursable Resources 47,007 42,598 43,318 47,744 48,699

Total Resources $47,007 $42,598 $43,318 $47,744 $48,699 

 

Budget Activity Total $47,007 $42,598 $43,318 $47,744 $48,699 

Measure FY 2007 

Actual 

FY 2008 

Actual 

FY 2009 FY 2010 

Target 

FY 2011 

Target Actual Target 

Protection Cost Per Square 

Foot ($)(E) $31.29 $31.76 $31.75 $31.57 $31.75 $31.75 

Protection Employee 

Confidence (%)(Oe) 81% 81% 83% 81% DISC DISC

Key: Oe - Outcome Measure, E - Efficiency Measure, Ot - Output/Workload Measure, and M - Management/Cust. Satisfaction,

DISC - Discontinued 

Description of Performance 

Protection Cost per Square Foot 

Protection cost per square foot is the Protection Department’s total operating cost divided 

by the area of usable space of the Untied States Mint. Usable space is defined as 90 

percent of total square footage. Operating costs exclude depreciation. Total square 

footage of usable space is relatively constant and only changes with major events such as 

the addition or removal of a facility. The measure indicates the Protection Department’s 

cost efficiency in safeguarding the United States Mint facilities, employees and assets. 

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Protection cost per square foot decreased to $31.57 in FY 2009 from $31.76 in FY 2008. 

The FY 2009 result was $0.18 below the target of $31.75. 

Employee Confidence in Protection 

The Protection Department is responsible for providing a safe and secure workplace for 

United States Mint employee. The Employee Confidence in Protection measure indicates 

how well the Protection Department is achieving this objective. It is the percentage of 

United States Mint employees reporting a favorable response to their confidence in the 

Protection Department’s performance in safeguarding United Sates Mint assets and assets 

in the custody of the United States Mint. Survey results indicate that 81 percent of 

employees reported confidence in the Protection Department’s ability to safeguard the 

United States Mint in FY 2009. This was consistent with FY 2008 performance but 

below the 83 percent target. This measure is discontinued in FY 2010. 

 

For detailed information about each performance measure, including definition, 

verification and validation, please go to: http://treas.gov/offices/management/budget/

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Section 4 – Supporting Materials 

4A – Human Capital Strategy Description 

In response to the President’s government-wide focus on human capital strategies and 

procedures, the United States Mint’s Human Capital Strategy addresses hiring reform, 

employee satisfaction and wellness requirements. The United States Mint is performing 

its hiring reform initiatives in close coordination with its shared human resources (HR) 

service provider, the Bureau of Public Debt (BPD) Administrative Resource Center 

(ARC). 

Hiring Reform 

1) Map the United States Mint’s current hiring process using the Office of Personnel 

Management’s (OPM's) Process Mapping Model: 

 

The United States Mint is mapping the hiring process for its GS-2210 

(Information Technology Specialist) positions. The Department of Treasury 

identified the GS-2210 series as the benchmark series for modeling its hiring 

process. The OPM Process Mapping Model requires agencies to recruit vacant 

positions within 80 days. The Administrative Resources Center (ARC) completed 

several reports regarding the previous hiring process for GS-2210 (Information 

Technology Specialist) positions and identified several barriers to the hiring 

process. ARC worked with the United States Mint to complete an action plan that 

addressed the barriers. The final results of the initial OPM inquiry and an action 

plan addressing the barriers were submitted to the Department of Treasury prior to 

the November 3, 2009 deadline. 

2) Review and develop plain language and streamlined job opportunity 

announcements (JOAs): 

Last year, the United States Mint, through ARC, participated in the Department of 

the Treasury’s work group to review JOAs, and develop streamlined templates 

using plain language. The United States Mint plans to use this newly revised 

template, as part of its hiring improvement process. 

3) Notify applicants of their status at four points through USAJobs.gov in a timely 

fashion: 

The United States Mint uses the applicant notification status feature in 

“CareerConnector” which automatically posts an applicant's status in USAJobs at 

specified points. Additionally, personalized e-mails are sent to candidates 

informing them of their status at each step of the process as specified by OPM. 

4) Engage hiring managers in all critical phases of the hiring process: 

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The United States Mint, in coordination with ARC, established procedures to 

engage managers in specified phases of the hiring process. Examples include: 

receiving management approval on JOA's before the job announcement is posted, 

receiving management approval for job analysis, providing managers copies of 

new hire letters, etc. Also, ARC personnel and the United States Mint HR staff 

members assist managers and employees throughout the process. This includes 

providing training, issuing written guidance, assisting managers in providing 

“specifics” for announcements (e.g. description of the duties, “marketing” 

material, etc.), and providing reports and data upon request. 

Improving Employee Satisfaction and Wellness

To improve employee satisfaction, the United States Mint will establish a Total Rewards 

System with performance being the driving force in determining compensation and 

recognition. All stakeholders (to include management, employees, and the union) will 

have a seat at the table in determining its design and implementation. This system will be 

built on the principles of fairness and equity. The overall goal of the Total Rewards 

approach will be to improve operational performance and employee engagement. 

 

Also, the United States Mint has improved supervisory and managerial competencies 

through its two-year, award-winning Leadership Development Program. This Program 

fostered skills in coaching, systems thinking, fundamental Human Resource practices 

(e.g., employee and labor relations), situational leadership and values clarification. 

 

In 2010, the United States Mint will highlight and expand the benefits of working for the 

federal government. The United States Mint’s ability to recruit, develop, and retain a 

diverse workforce to execute its mission depends on a fully integrated, corporate-wide 

human capital program. The human capital goal is to provide a blueprint for the future to 

ensure the United States Mint hires and retains employees with the right skills to excel in 

meeting current and future challenges. Successful recruiting, training, career 

management, compensation, promotion management, performance management, and 

leadership will contribute toward growing a competent and diverse workforce. Through 

the strategic management of our human capital, the United States Mint will conduct 

workforce and succession planning, prioritize and invest in closing skill gaps, align 

performance with strategic goals, and fully engage its employees in strengthening the 

workforce. 

 

As a manufacturing entity, the United States Mint also focuses heavily on ensuring 

employee wellness and safety. Accident rates have decreased dramatically as a result of 

the United States Mint’s efforts for ensuring a strong and regular emphasis on safety and 

accident prevention. In the areas of telework, work/life balance and wellness, the United 

States Mint’s senior leadership is committed to increasing its participation as 

appropriate. 
4.1 – Summary of IT Resources Table 

Dollars in Thousands 

FY 2009 % Change FY 2010 % Chang

from FY08 to from FY0

Major IT Investments / Funding Source Budget Activity Actual FY09 Estimated FY10 

Manufacturing and Retail Sales System Sales $8,978 -9.5% $11,812 31

Subtotal, Major IT Investments $8,978 -9.5% $11,812 31Non-Major IT Investments $3,065 -31.4% $3,829 24Infrastructure Investments $31,177 7.4% $37,573 20Enterprise Architecture $1,800 -12.6% $1,459 -18Total IT Investments $45,020 -15.6% $54,673 21

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4B – Information Technology Strategy 

The United States Mint is a manufacturing agency whose primary mission is to produce 

coinage to effectively enable commerce. As such, capital investment requirements are 

predominantly for manufacturing-type equipment, rather than information technology 

(IT) purchases, as reflected in the chart below. 

The United States Mint’s capital projects are focused on improving manufacturing 

operating efficiencies such as developing new coin design capabilities, automating 

packaging lines, and expanding information handling. These investments are designed to 

reduce costs, shorten the overall time from product concept to production, and achieve 

greater flexibility to respond to shifts in market demands. The following major 

investments are planned for 2011: 

FY 2010 FY 2011 Major Investments FY 2009 Actual Estimated Estimated

Circulating & Protection Capital Investments

Circulating Information Technology 656.3 2,808.4 3,931.5

Circulating Building Improvements 4,142.5 5,808.0 7,055.2

Circulating Equipment 1,457.4 8,885.0 5,460.0

Protection 4,622.1 8,559.0 8,500.0

Total Circulating and Protection 10,878.3 26,060.4 24,946.7 

Numismatic Capital Investments

Numismatic Information Technology 185.1 2,478.0 1,003.0

Numismatic Building Improvements 3,886.4 9,045.0 14,560.3

Numismatic Equipment 9,046.3 12,365.0 14,090.0

Total Numismatic 13,117.8 23,888.0 29,653.3 

Total Capital Investments 23,996.1 49,948.4 54,600.0 

The United States Mint’s FY 2011 circulating and protection capital request is $24.9 

million, which is less than the projected circulating and protection depreciation (capital 

limit) amount of $25.0 million. Therefore, no additional budget authority is needed in 

FY 2011 for capital investments. 

Each year, the United States Mint commits funds for capital projects to maintain, upgrade 

or acquire physical structures, equipment, physical security, and information technology 

systems. Total capital projects are estimated to be $54.6 million in FY 2011. This 

includes approximately $16.4 million for circulating projects, $8.5 million for security 

improvement projects, and $29.7 million for numismatic projects. 

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4.2 – Program Assessment 

In accordance with former OMB guidance, the United States Mint’s programs were 

assessed as follows: 

 Coin Production Program – Assessed in 2002 

 Numismatic Program – Assessed in 2004 

 Protection Program – Assessed in 2005 

The United States Mint continues to explore opportunities to improve efficiency and 

streamline its business processes.