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List of Coin Mints

Following the Revolutionary War and the ensuing establishment of a standard U.S. governmental process and hierarchy, there was a need for a monetary standard. The U.S. Treasury was entrusted to oversee and produce a currency for financial exchange. The silver coin was the first official piece to be produced and offered into public use. During various times in history, production facilities to mint coins have been established in several U.S. cities.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--in 1790--was the first city designated as the capital of the United States. Because of that distinction, it was a natural location to host the first U.S. Mint, which was established in 1792. According to the U.S. Mint, "Legend states that President George and Mrs. Martha Washington donated their personal silver for the production of the half-dime."
  
  Coins made here carry the letter "P" mint mark; which identifies the mint in which they were produced. Philadelphia still mints coins for general public circulation--as of 2009--and offers free public tours. Located less than a mile from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, it is conveniently located to be included in a day of sightseeing in historic Philadelphia.
  
  U.S. Mint Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  151 N. Independence Mall E
  Philadelphia, PA
  (215) 408-0114
  usmint.gov
San Francisco, California
- Massive gold discoveries in 1849 prompted the need for a U.S. Mint branch to be established in San Francisco. This discovery was of massive proportions compared to gold finds made later in Colorado. Philadelphia was the only established mint and treks to haul gold across the country were dangerous and cumbersome. According to the Mint, "In 1854, the San Francisco Mint opened its doors and began converting miners' gold into coins, producing $4,084,207 in gold pieces by December of that first year alone." Coins produced in San Francisco carry the mint mark "S".
  
  As of 2009, San Francisco's branch does not produce coins meant for general circulation--it produces "proof" coins, which are created more as art pieces, coveted by collectors and investors. The pieces are created with more artistic precision and brilliance than standard circulation coins. Proof coins can be spent for face value, but that greatly devalues them. The San Francisco branch is not open to the public.
  
  United States Mint at San Francisco, California
  San Francisco, CA 94103
  (415) 575-8000
  usmint.gov
Denver, Colorado
- Congress established a branch mint at Denver, Colorado as early as 1862; however, it was nearly 44 years later that the U.S. Mint at Denver began to actively mint coins. The Denver branch was originally opened in 1863 as an assay office. Assay offices were responsible for testing purity of metals such as gold, silver and platinum. The U.S. Mint states, "The need for this new facility was because of the discovery of gold at the Platte River near Denver." Also, "Coin production operations...began in the facilities of Clark, Gruber and Company--a private mint then located at 16th and Market Streets."
  
  The 21st-century incarnation of the U.S. Mint at Denver still remains where it was moved in 1904 for assaying; it started coin production in 1906 of gold and silver pieces. The mint mark of this facility is "D". The Denver location still produces coins and offers free public tours. This branch requires that tour reservations be made.
  
  United States Mint at Denver, Colorado
  320 West Colfax Avenue
  Denver, Colorado 80204
  (303) 405-4761
  usmint.gov

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