The United States Mints and Their First Coin(s): Photo courtesy of Virtual Tourist and Frank Canfly. The U.S. Mint at Philadelphia: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/14469e/ Philadelphia Mint's 1972 Pattern Coins: Photo courtesy of US Patterns (uspatterns.com): http://uspatterns.com/unstatpatcoi.html The United States Mint at Charlotte: Photo courtesy of American Rarities Archive. Scroll down for photos and text of the mint's coinage (click photos for enlargements): http://www.blanchardonline.com/AmericanRarities/archive-08/char.html The Charlotte Mint, closed in 1861 because of the Civl War, and never reopened. The building now houses The Mint Museum. Photo courtesy of Yelp (yelp.com): http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/767U9ayo6pEyY1NaAlbfgg?select=ya3EaAfVCqDkY2U78PAYEQ The United States Mint at Dahlonega: Photo courtesy of US Coin Values, Scroll down to photo of Mint and a little further for photos of the mint's first coinage. http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/dahlonega-georgia.html The United States Mint at New Orleans: Photo courtesy of Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1907_NOMintpostcard.jpg In 1837, coining presses and other minting machinery were shipped to New Orleans from Philadelphia. The next year, May 1838 to be precise, the first New Orleans Mint coins were struck, bearing the characteristic "O" mintmark. A total of 30 dimes were struck the first day (Coin Community Photo): 1838-O Seated Liberty Dime: http://www.coincommunity.com/us_dimes/1838_o_seated_liberty_dime.asp The United States Mint at San Francisco : http://sanfrancisco.about.com/od/photogalleries/ig/Photo-Tour--Barbary-Coast/SF-Old-Mint.htm http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/images/Carson-City-Mint-drawing.jpg The San Francisco Mint's first coins were Gold $1, $2.50 (Quarter-Eagle), $5.00 (Half Eagle), $10.00 (Eagle) and $20.00 (Double Eagle) bearing the date (1854) and the "S" mint mark. Here's a photo of a 1854-S $10.00 (Gold Eagle) courtesy of Reisbord Auctions Archive: http://www.reisbord.com/goldrush1854sten.htm The United States Mint at Carson City http://www.visitcarsoncity.com/attractions/museums.php Would you like to see Alfred B. Mullet's original architectural drawing of the proposed Carson City Mint's front elevation? Image courtesy of Library of Congress. The very first Carson City Mint coin to debut was the 1870-CC Liberty Seated silver dollar. On February 11, 1870, Mr. A. Wright, an individual who had earlier deposited silver at the Mint, received 2303 of these dollars. 1870-CC Liberty Seated Silver Dollar: US Coin Values Photo: http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/images/silver dollar 1870-CC rev.jpg Three days later, gold eagles ($10 gold coins) were struck, followed closely by half eagles ($5 gold) and double eagles ($20 gold). The 1870 $20 Liberty had an original mintage of only 3,786 total pieces. 1870-CC $20 Gold Double Eagle Reverse (Austin Rare Coins photo): http://rarecoins.org/Coins/Liberty_20_Reverse_Fantastic_2_10.jpg Later in the year silver coins were struck. Here's a photo the Half Dollar (us-coin-values-advisor.com photo): 1877-CC Seated Liberty Half Dollar: http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/image-files/1870-cc-seated-liberty-half-dollar-obv.jpg Guess which US Branch Mint is next? Some of its coinage bears the "M" mint mark. If you guessed Manila, The Philippines, you are Right! A branch of the U.S. mint (Manila Mint) was established in 1920 in Manila in the Philippines, which was then a U.S. colony. The Secretary of Finance set in motion plans to create the first United States Branch Mint located outside the continental United States. It was decided to locate the branch mint in Manila, now the capitol of The Philippines. Since a large space would be needed to house the mint's equipment, a very large building was needed. The old Itendencia Building was chosen to fill the need. Here's a rare photo courtesy of Numismatic Blog: http://numismaticblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/scan0037.jpg The first coins minted carried no mint mark, but after 1925 all coins minted in the United States Mint at Manila bore a "M" mint mark. Here's a photo of the 1920 Coins: The following Philippines coin photos are courtesy of Philippines Coins Website. While the links connect you to a coin for sale, I include it only so you can view the coin. It is not an endorsement of the coin, its price, the Philippines Coins Company, nor is it a disapproval of the coin, price, or company: 1920 Bronze Centavo http://philippinecoins.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=51&products_id=305 No Peso Coins were struck in 1920. The United States Mint at West Point: Photo and text courtesy of United States Mint: http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/mint_facilities/?flash=yes&action=WP_facilities Erected in 1937 as the West Point Bullion Depository, this was originally a storage facility for silver bullion and was nicknamed "The Fort Knox of Silver." From 1973 to 1986, West Point produced cents, and in 1980 began striking gold medallions. Shortly afterward, approximately 20 billion dollars worth of gold was stored in its vaults, making it second only to Fort Knox for gold storage. Today, it is also the major producer of gold coins. NOTE: The Cents minted during 1973 - 1986 did not bear a mint mark so thgere is no way to distinguish a West Point Mint produced Cent from one struck at Philadelphia. Hope you enjoyed the mints and their first coins... Clinker
Don't forget this US Mint The Dales, Oregon Authorized and the funds for construction appropriated in 1864 the Mint was built but then never opened. Today it is used for a winery (Erin Glenn Winery) and tasting room.
Hi Conder101: Thanks for the photo and info on the Dales, Oregon Mint. I didn't include it in my article because of the fact (you point out) it never produced coins. Clinker
