Focus Question: What is the money supply of the United States?

Topics on the Page

• Money Supply
• Videos on: U.S. monetary policy, the U.S. Federal Reserve, and money and finance

• U.S. Money Circulation

• Making Money at the U.S Mint! 

• Janet Yellen, 78th Secretary of Treasury

• Lesson Plans

 Cross-Links

• Functions of Money

• Money in American Politics

Money Supply

What is the Money Supply? Is it important?, from the Federal Reserve

A description of what the money supply is and various concepts associated with it can be found here.

• This video from Khan Academy provides a quick and insightful definition of what the money supply is and how it works.

• Click here to watch a Crash Course Economics YouTube video that focuses onJanet Yellen, U.S. monetary policy, and the U.S. Federal Reserve.
  
  
• Click here to watch another Crash Course Economics YouTube video that focuses on money and finance within the United States

• Click here to watch a video which visually explains what money supply is. 

Inflation Calculator

Money in America History 

U.S. Money Circulation

How Much Money Is In Circulation?

• How does U.S. currency get into circulation?

Fiat Currency Video  

Interest Rate Timeline

Making Money at the U.S. Mint!

All of our coins in the United States are produced at the one of the six U.S. Mint locations in our country. Taken directly from the U.S. Mint’s website,

“The mission of the U.S. Mint is to serve the American people by manufacturing and distributing circulating, precious metal and collectible coins and national medals, and providing security over assets entrusted to us.Since our institution’s founding in 1792, the Mint has taken great pride in rendering the story of our nation in coins. To hold a coin or medal produced by the Mint is to connect to the founding principles of our nation and the makings of our economy. The Mint is the nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces coin-related products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. The Mint’s programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to the taxpayer.”

As stated, the Mint produces limited coins, including dollars and half dollars, to honor key figures in American history. After looking at these current examples of the “American Women’s Quarter Program” design a coin with a key figure from American history that you believed should be honored at the Mint. 

Visit the links below to take a virtual tour of the Mint, see how the coins are made and sculpted, and explore the Mint’s official website for interactive games and complete history.

Mint Minute

Philly Mint Virtual Tour

The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia Circulating Coin Production B-Roll

Sculpting Coins at the U.S. Mint

Games | U.S. Mint for Kids

Janet Yellen, 2017

Janet Yellen

•  Click here to listen to an NPR podcast about Janet Yellen, the first woman to be the Chair of the United States Federal Reserve.

 She has been the 78th United States secretary of the treasury since January 26, 2021, the first woman in that role.

• Click here to read a New York Times article detailing Janet Yellen's legacy on the U.S. economy.

For an perspective on a different role, that of Treasurer of the United States

• Why Have All the U.S. Treasurers Since 1949 Been Women?

Learning Plans

• Click here for a lesson plan that focuses on the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

• After the lesson students will be able to:
• Define the money supply as currency and coin in circulation and balances held in checking accounts.
• Describe how the money supply in circulation increases when banks make loans, and how it decreases when loans are paid off.
• Discuss the purpose of reserve requirements.
• Use the money multiplier to calculate potential money creation from a starting deposit.
• Give reasons for the establishment of the Federal Reserve Bank and explain its three basic functions.