| The United States Mint is the organization that | | | | Denver is also home to another mint facility which |
| has the sole responsibility to produce coins for the | | | | traces it's history back over 100 years ago to |
| Government of the United States. These coins | | | | 1863. Coins made at the Denver facility will have |
| are then sent into circulation for use as legal | | | | the "D" mint mark on each coin. |
| tender in financial transactions. | | | | The San Francisco branch of the mint can be |
| The Coinage Act of 1792 was the starting point | | | | traced back to 1854. Over the past 150+ years |
| for the Unites States Mint and the first U.S Mint | | | | the San Francisco mint has moved a number of |
| location was setup. At the time, Philadelphia was | | | | times to new, larger buildings to help with its |
| the capital of the Unites States and thus the first | | | | growth. The San Francisco mint operated |
| U.S. Mint was built there. Even though the Capital | | | | continuously except for a decade during the late |
| city was eventually changed to Washington, the | | | | 1950's into the late 1960's. The mint mark to |
| U.S. Mint still considers the Philadelphia Mint branch | | | | indicate that a coin was made in San Francisco is |
| to be their main branch. | | | | the "S" mark. |
| Throughout the year there have been various | | | | The fourth of the current U.S. Mint locations is the |
| locations that they mint has operated in, some in | | | | West Point, New York branch. In existence only |
| operation today after many, many years, while | | | | since 1988, having replaced the West Point Bullion |
| others were operated only for a short time and | | | | Depository. These facilities are known mostly for |
| then production ceased. | | | | producing commemorative coins and proof coins |
| After the first Mint was built in Philadelphia, | | | | and all coins produced there are indicated with a |
| branches of the U.S Mint were built in Charlotte, | | | | "W" mark. |
| N.C and also in Dahlonega, GA and New Orleans, | | | | Throughout its over two century history, the |
| LA. By 1909 all of these mints had been closed. | | | | United States Mint has created some of the most |
| During the 1920's the U.S. Mint opened a facility in | | | | beautifully designed coins in the world. It's a |
| Manila, in the Philippines as at the time, this was a | | | | marvel to think that over 200 years ago, gifted |
| U.S Colony. This facility was closed in 1941. | | | | craftsmen were able to produce such beautiful |
| Today, four facilities exist where coins are still | | | | work without the existence of sophisticated |
| produced. Creating coin Philadelphia is still taking | | | | machinery or computers. The history of the U.S. |
| after over 200 years with a new, large building | | | | Mint is one of great detail and could be researched |
| being constructed in 1969. Actually, 4 different | | | | in much more great length than discussed in this |
| buildings have been used since it's inception in the | | | | article. Enjoying the history surrounding coin |
| late 1700's. Coins made at the Philadelphia mint | | | | collecting is one of the reasons why the hobby is |
| may contain no mint mark at all, or may just | | | | so popular even today. |
| have "P," obviously indicating Philadelphia. | | | | |