| Through the Coinage Act of 1792, the US Mint | | | | These US Mint coins have different coin |
| was created by Congress. Its first building was | | | | specifications. Some are made with copper-plated |
| located in Philadelphia, within the US Department | | | | zinc, while others are made from cupro-nickel and |
| of State, with the scientist David Rittenhouse as | | | | manganese-brass. These also have variations in |
| its first director. When the demand for coins | | | | weight, diameter, thickness and edge. But even |
| increased, the facilities for US Mint also expanded. | | | | though these coins have different specifications, all |
| Now, there is several US Mint facilities located in | | | | have an approximate life span of 30 years. |
| different states in the US. Even though each has | | | | There are also coins that are considered no longer |
| different activities, the main goal of the agency is | | | | fit for circulation, and are often referred to as |
| to produce and distribute US Mint coins. | | | | "uncurrent" coins and mutilated coins. Uncurrent |
| US Mint coins are produced for daily circulation, so | | | | coins are machine countable, while the mutilated |
| they can be used for trade and commerce. | | | | are not. Uncurrent coins are redeemed by the |
| These coins include the Lincoln penny, Jefferson | | | | Federal Banks and forwarded to the US Mint for |
| nickel, Roosevelt dime, 50 State quarters, | | | | disposition, while mutilated coins are redeemed |
| Kennedy half-dollar, and the Golden dollar. All of | | | | through the US Mint facility in Philadelphia. |
| these coins are circulated in the US, and every | | | | However, both are melted and are used to |
| year more than a billion of each is produced to | | | | manufacture coinage strips. |
| cater to people's demand for US Mint coins. | | | | |