I live in Western New York and except for the 2003 state quarters (and those have not been too plentiful) I have found only 1 single 2003 cent in my change, and that was found in early November. No nickels, no dimes, not 1. I find this really strange. Is this occuring anywhere else?
Prompted by your inquiry, I looked over my recent change in the jar on top of my dresser. This is not a scientific sample of change here in east-central Ohio since I have travelled to New York City and California in the past four months. But here is what I found in about $5 worth of change (I usually separate out the quarters and spend them.) Among 2003 coinage: Cent: (1) 2003-P Nickel: (1) 2003-P Dime: (2) 2003-P, (1) 2003-D Quarter: (1) 2003-D Alabama From here, it looks like it’s all out there in circulation, although not in huge numbers. Maybe the Federal Reserve does not directly supply your local banks. They do this only when requested. It could be that no banking institutions near you have expressed a need for new coin, and so the old stuff continues to re-circulate. Incidentally, in doing this exercise I also found a 1954-P dime, reminding me that I should check my change more often. I'm all smiles over that. Thanks for your inquiry.