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The History and Locations of the United States Mints
by D. L. Crane
The United States mints
were created by congress in 1792 and its main
function is to produce coinages for circulation
in the United States. It is responsible for the
design and development of coinages and bank
notes mainly for the use of the people in the
United States of America. There are currently
five minting facilities in the United States
involved in producing all circulating coins and
currency in the country, from gold and silver
coins to commemorative coins.
Philadelphia Mint
– it is the first minting facility created,
during the American Revolution, the newly formed
congress decided to create a minting facility to
produce the currency for the new nation. The
Philadelphia Minting facility was first located
at 7th and Arch
streets and was called “Ye old mint”. The first
currencies made were coins in denominations of
10, 5, 2.50, half dime and half cents. Coins
minted from this facility have a “P” mint mark
for Philadelphia to indicate where it was
minted.
Denver Mint
– this minting facility started as an Assay
office in Denver Colorado in 1863 after gold was
discovered five years earlier. An Assay office
is where precious metals are tested for purity;
this was its sole function. It was not until
1903, when the Assay office in Denver was
converted into a minting facility. Its current
location is in West Colfax Avenue and Delaware
street, and is currently producing 50 million
coins a day. “D” is the minting facility’s mint
mark.
San Francisco Mint
– During the gold rush in California during the
late 1840’s, the San Francisco Mint was created
to speedily use the gold mined in the area to
produce coins. The minting facility outgrew its
small brick house and relocated in fifth and
Mission streets, San Francisco. Production
continued until it was temporarily halted due to
the great earthquake of 1906, its sturdy design
saved it from destruction. After which the San
Francisco mint facility again relocated to its
current location at 155 Herman Street.
West Point Mint
– This minting facility was erected in 1937
inside the US Military facility. It was formerly
a storage vault for silver bullions. After which
it was converted into a minting facility that
produces gold and silver commemorative coins.
This minting facility was also the first to
strike the first bi-metallic gold and platinum
coin in 2000.
There are other minting
facilities that were erected like the minting
facility at Carson City Nevada, Dahlonega, New
Orleans and the Manila mint, the only overseas
US minting facility erected. Though these are
now closed, most of the memorable coins were
minted in these facilities; one example is the
famous Morgan Silver dollar.
Currency is the nation’s
lifeblood and all economic transactions are made
through currency. Every country has its ways and
means in creating currency; the United States
mints are responsible for the production of all
circulating coins in the country. Each coin is
painstakingly designed by artisans that focus in
creating memorable coins that will embody the
American Nation.
Mint Marks
United States Proof Sets
United States Mint Sets
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