US Mint History & the Story of American Coinage
The fascinating history of the US Mint — from Philadelphia's first coins in 1792 to modern minting technology, iconic designers, and landmark coinage acts.
10 parts · Free to read
The Birth of the US Mint: Philadelphia 1792
How America got its own money — the Coinage Act of 1792, the first Philadelphia Mint, and the earliest US coins struck by hand.
Branch Mints: Charlotte, Dahlonega & New Orleans
The Gold Rush era branch mints — why they were established, what they produced, and why their coins command premium prices today.
The Legendary Carson City Mint
The most collectible mint mark in numismatics — the Comstock Lode, Carson City's brief but storied history, and why CC coins are treasured.
San Francisco & Denver: The Western Mints
Two mints that shaped American coinage — San Francisco's Gold Rush origins, Denver's role as the modern workhorse, and notable coins from each.
West Point & Modern Mint Operations
The newest US Mint facility — West Point's evolution from bullion depository to premier proof and commemorative producer.
Mint Marks Explained: What They Mean and Where to Look
A practical guide to mint marks on US coins — where to find them on each denomination, what each letter means, and periods without mint marks.
The Great Coinage Acts: How US Money Changed Over Time
Landmark legislation that shaped American money — from the 1792 Coinage Act to the 1965 Coinage Act that ended silver in circulation.
Iconic Coin Designers: Saint-Gaudens, Weinman, Fraser & More
The artists behind America's most beautiful coins — Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Adolph Weinman, James Earle Fraser, and modern designers.
The Gold Standard, Silver Certificates & Modern Clad Coinage
How US coinage metals evolved — gold and silver standards, the great silver meltdowns, and the transition to copper-nickel clad in 1965.
How Modern US Coins Are Made: From Blank to Bag
Inside a modern US Mint facility — blanking, annealing, upsetting, striking, inspection, and counting, with production statistics.
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