Q&A with Mint Director Paul Hollis

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When Paul Hollis was confirmed as the 41st U.S. mint director, he became the first coin collector to hold this prestigious—and challenging—position. His confirmation had widespread bipartisan support, and the collector community embraced him with open arms. It’s clear to see why.

A collector since age 6, Hollis became the youngest salesperson at Blanchard and Company of New Orleans, one of the nation’s largest rare-coin and precious-metals firms, where he worked until 2001. In 2003 he founded Paul Hollis Rare Coins. He was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, where he served the 104th District from 2012 through 2024. He also served on multiple committees and advanced legislation to reform recall elections before leaving office two years ago. He was sworn in as the mint director on January 5, 2026.

I spoke with Hollis in an exclusive interview for the Reading Room earlier this month to chat about his earliest collecting memories, his experience authoring a book about collecting, and how he thinks his work as a coin dealer with a passion for American numismatics gives him an edge over his predecessors.

Louis Golino: What is your favorite American coin series, and why?

Paul Hollis: I think circulated early type coins are super cool. They are rare, they are essentially hand-made, they have production numbers that are tiny compared to what are minted today, and the designs are just amazing! The Heraldic Eagle reverse design is my favorite, and even in low grades, it’s the fact that they were circulated by early Americans that helps tell the story. Also, the early coins with a lettered edge—just wow! It’s so amazing how the United States Mint was able to create such splendid coins just as they opened the doors back in 1792.

LG: Are there any plans to republish your book, American Numismatist, which is apparently out of print now? What is the book’s key message for numismatists?

PH: I loved writing American Numismatist, and it was an opportunity for me to draw the parallels of our nation’s history and the coins that were struck along the way. So many of the stories that “coin people” know about simply do not go beyond the coin-collecting community. The cool factor of the 1943 steel cent and the reasons it was struck, the first time “In God We Trust” was added to coins during the Civil War, and the simple fact that for nearly 140 years, the United States struck gold coins until 1933—it’s lost on the public. However, I believe the public can appreciate these stories, too!

Coins have always been a tangible link to our history, and sharing that history has always been something that I enjoy. I really believe that coin collectors are often storytellers—and our coins share incredible stories of our nation’s past. I think they can help anyone to appreciate our American story and be something special that they can share with others. I hope at some point to publish an updated version. So many cool and exciting stories are forthcoming and deserve to be shared with future generations.

I really believe that coin collectors are often storytellers—and our coins share incredible stories of our nation’s past.

LG: Unlike your predecessors, you are an experienced coin dealer and numismatist. How will that experience and expertise shape your approach to leading the United States Mint?

PH: I think what coin collectors enjoy is a perfect sample pool of the types of coins the larger public would enjoy too. Perhaps something in our DNA that makes us want to collect, but I believe the really awesome coins like the Saint-Gaudens High-Relief double eagle, the 1804 dollar, the frosty black-and-white cameo contrasted proof coins, and all the really amazing coins that collectors enjoy—they will also be appreciated by the American public—they just have not been introduced to them.

My grandmother gave me a coin when I was 7, and I absolutely loved it—its silver composition, weight, design, the fact that the coin was struck to celebrate peace following World War I, and the fact that my grandfather served in World War I. My brothers had to fight to get that coin from my hand. 

The passion that I still have today for all our coins is just as strong as when I was a child. My experience as a professional numismatist, I hope, will allow me to share the stories of our coins with a large audience. I hope that others can enjoy a hobby that they can have throughout their entire life, with any budget, at any age, that connects them to people, our nation’s history, and events that we celebrate. E Pluribus Unum (“out of many, one”) is on just about every U.S. coin struck. It’s such an incredible phrase to embrace. I hope that our coins can be a uniting factor during our America 250, and always.

I hope that our coins can be a uniting factor during our America 250, and always.

LG: Has the U.S. Mint considered implementing a pricing system for silver coins that is better able to adjust to swings in the spot price than the current system? For example, could prices be updated weekly using a grid system as is the case with gold coins?

PH: The mint is evaluating a pricing grid for silver products analogous to what we currently use for gold, platinum, and palladium products. While in theory a grid of this nature would better keep silver product prices aligned with spot silver prices, it probably still could not deal with the extreme price spikes we saw in January.

LG: The U.S. Mint’s prices for clad coins were increased significantly about the same time that silver coin prices increased in response to higher spot silver. For example, the 2026 uncirculated coin set will cost $124.50 compared to $33.25 last year. What are the reasons for the increases in clad issues?

PH: The U.S. Mint does not receive tax dollars to operate its business. Instead, it covers all costs through product sales. We monitor costs constantly and may make price adjustments that reflect price changes in materials, production, and shipping. The updated prices reflect these changes, and it allows the mint to continue producing high-quality products for collectors.

LG: I’ve heard there are more surprises in store for 2026, such as U.S. Mint products that have yet to be announced. Are you able to provide any hints? And does the mint plan to mark the 40th anniversary of the silver and gold American Eagle programs?

PH: We do have a few special products that we have yet to announce. More information is coming soon. Since this is such a monumental year for our nation, we have no plans at this time to do anything to mark the 40th anniversary of the silver and gold American Eagle programs.

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The author and the American Numismatic Association would like to extend their thanks to Director Hollis and the U.S. Mint for making this interview possible.