Q: The State Quarters program ended in 2008, but the U.S. Mint has been issuing quarters for the territories in 2009. However, we don’t seem to see very many in circulation. Why has the Mint cut back on the number of 2009 quarters distributed? — Richard H. Siegel, Atlanta
A: The Mint is producing fewer numbers of quarters this year because economic activity‚ “the primary driver of coin demand,” is not as high as it was in 2008, said Michael White, spokesman for the U.S. Mint. State quarter production in 2008 was 2.4 billion, and 636.2 million quarters have been produced in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program.
Q: How cold is absolute zero? What is the coldest temperature ever recorded and where? What is the fastest wind speed ever recorded and where? — Jerry F. Brown, Buchanan
A: Absolute zero, the coldest possible temperature, is minus-459.67 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was minus-129 at Vostok Station, Antarctica, on July 21, 1983, according to data provided by The Weather Channel. In the U.S. only, the coldest temperature on record is minus-80 at Prospect Creek, Alaska, on Jan. 23, 1971. In the lower 48, the coldest temperature on record is minus-70 at Rogers Pass, Mont., on Jan. 20, 1954. The fastest surface wind speed recorded was 231 mph on the top of Mount Washington, N.H., (elevation 6,288 feet) on April 12, 1934.
Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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