Patent ID: 8645231

Claim:
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer- executable instructions which, when executed by a processor on a computer system, perform a method for distributing coins in a coin distribution system, the method comprising: a coin consortium receiving a first request to adjust a first coin inventory at a first institution; the coin consortium receiving a second request to adjust a second coin inventory at a second institution; the coin consortium, in response to receiving the second request: adjusting the second coin inventory by initiating a transfer of a first penny from a U.S. Federal Reserve Branch to the second institution; and maintaining a second penny in the first coin inventory, thereby imposing a storage cost on the first institution; the coin consortium receiving a third request to adjust the second coin inventory at the second institution; and the coin consortium, in response to receiving the third request, reducing the storage cost by: bypassing the U.S. Federal Reserve Branch; and initiating a transfer of the second penny from the first institution to the second institution; wherein neither the first institution nor the second institution is the U.S. Federal Reserve Branch.