Philadelphia Mint
Encyclopedia
The Philadelphia Mint was created from the need to establish a national identity and the needs of commerce in the United States
. This led the Founding Fathers of the United States
to make an establishment of a continental national mint
a main priority after the ratification of the Constitution of the United States.
The Coinage Act of 1792 was entered into law on April 2. Within, it proclaimed the creation of the United States Mint
. Philadelphia at that time was the nation's capital; therefore the first mint facility was to be built there. The Mint Act also instituted a decimal system based on a dollar unit; specified weights, metallic composition and fineness; and required each United States
coin feature "an impression emblematic of liberty".
, an American scientist, was appointed the first Director of the Mint by President George Washington
. Two lots were purchased by Rittenhouse on July 18, 1792, at Seventh Street and 631 Filbert Street in Philadelphia for $4,266.67. The very next day demolition of an abandoned whiskey distillery on the property began. Foundation work began on July 31, and by September 7, the first building was ready for installation of the smelting furnace. The smelt house has gained the honors of being the very first public building erected by the United States government.
A three-story brick structure facing Seventh Street was constructed a few months later. Being the tallest and most visible structure of the mint the words "Ye Olde Mint" were painted on. Measuring nearly 37 feet (11.3 m) wide on the street, it only extended back 33 feet (10.1 m). The gold and silver for the mint was contained in basement vaults. The first floor housed deposit and weighing rooms, along with the press room, where striking coins took place. Mint official offices were on the second floor, and the assay
office was located on the third floor.
Between the smelt house and "Ye Olde Mint" a mill house was built. Horses in the basement turned a rolling mill located on the first floor.
January 1816 saw the destruction of the smelt and mill houses from a fire. The smelt house was never repaired and all smelting was done elsewhere. The mill house, which was completely destroyed, was soon replaced with a large brick building. It included a new steam engine in the basement to power the machinery above.
Until 1833, these three buildings dutifully provided America
with spendable hard currency to undertake the exploration and growth of a nation. Operations moved to the second Philadelphia mint in 1833 and the land housing the first mint was sold. In the late 19th or early 20th century, the property was sold to Frank Stewart, who approached the city asking them to preserve or relocate the historic buildings. With no governmental help "Ye Olde Mint" was demolished between 1907 and 1911. A small plaque now is the only thing memorializing the spot upon which the largest economy to date was conceived.
. The second Philadelphia Mint, the "Grecian Temple", was constructed of white marble with classic Greek
style columns on front and back. Measuring 150 feet (45.7 m) wide in front by 204 feet (62.2 m) deep, it was a huge improvement over the first facility, in space as well as image. Opening for business in January 1833, its production was constrained by the outdated machinery salvaged from "Ye Olde Mint". Franklin Peale was sent to Europe
to study advanced coin making technologies which were brought back and implemented, increasing productivity and quality.
The second Philadelphia mint pounded out coins through the American Civil War
, three presidential assassinations, growth from sea to sea, the telegraph and telephone, and the incandescent light bulb. The nation exploded from 13 million people to 76 million by 1900, and demand soon outpaced production.
In 1901, the third Philadelphia Mint was to begin coining operations. Sold in 1902, the second mint was quickly demolished. The cornerstone buried in 1833 was unearthed and contained a candy jar with a petrified cork stoppering it. Inside the jar were three coins, a couple of newspapers, and a scroll with information on the first mint and the creation of the second.
. It was a block from the United States Smelting Company was at Broad and Spring Garden Streets. In one year alone the mint produced 501,000,000 coins (5/7 of the U.S. currency minted) as well as 90,000,000 coins for foreign countries.
A massive structure nearly a full city block, it was an instant landmark. Characterized by a Roman temple facade, visitors were to marvel at seven themed glass mosaics designed by Louis C. Tiffany in a gold backed vaulted ceiling. The mosaics depicted ancient Roman coin making methods. This mint still stands intact with much of the interior as well. It was acquired by the Community College of Philadelphia
in 1973.
A mere two blocks from the site of "Ye Olde Mint", the fourth and current Philadelphia Mint opened its doors in 1969. It was designed by Philadelphia architect Vincent G. Kling who would also help design Five Penn Center
, Centre Square
and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
.
It was the world's largest mint when it was built and still held that distinction as of January 2009.
The Philadelphia mint can produce up to one million coins in thirty minutes. It took three years for the original mint to produce that many. The mint also produces medals and awards for military, governmental and civil services. Engraving of all dies and strikers only occurs here. Uncirculated coins minted here have the "P" mint mark
, while circulated coins from before 1980 carried no mint mark except the Jefferson nickels minted from 1942–1945 and the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar
coins. Since 1980, all coins minted there have the "P" mint mark except pennies.
Tours can be taken where all stages of minting are explained, along with displays of past equipment.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. This led the Founding Fathers of the United States
Founding Fathers of the United States
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were political leaders and statesmen who participated in the American Revolution by signing the United States Declaration of Independence, taking part in the American Revolutionary War, establishing the United States Constitution, or by some...
to make an establishment of a continental national mint
Mint (coin)
A mint is an industrial facility which manufactures coins for currency.The history of mints correlates closely with the history of coins. One difference is that the history of the mint is usually closely tied to the political situation of an era...
a main priority after the ratification of the Constitution of the United States.
The Coinage Act of 1792 was entered into law on April 2. Within, it proclaimed the creation of the United States Mint
United States Mint
The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint was created by Congress with the Coinage Act of 1792, and placed within the Department of State...
. Philadelphia at that time was the nation's capital; therefore the first mint facility was to be built there. The Mint Act also instituted a decimal system based on a dollar unit; specified weights, metallic composition and fineness; and required each United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
coin feature "an impression emblematic of liberty".
First Building (1792-1833)
David RittenhouseDavid Rittenhouse
David Rittenhouse was a renowned American astronomer, inventor, clockmaker, mathematician, surveyor, scientific instrument craftsman and public official...
, an American scientist, was appointed the first Director of the Mint by President George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. Two lots were purchased by Rittenhouse on July 18, 1792, at Seventh Street and 631 Filbert Street in Philadelphia for $4,266.67. The very next day demolition of an abandoned whiskey distillery on the property began. Foundation work began on July 31, and by September 7, the first building was ready for installation of the smelting furnace. The smelt house has gained the honors of being the very first public building erected by the United States government.
A three-story brick structure facing Seventh Street was constructed a few months later. Being the tallest and most visible structure of the mint the words "Ye Olde Mint" were painted on. Measuring nearly 37 feet (11.3 m) wide on the street, it only extended back 33 feet (10.1 m). The gold and silver for the mint was contained in basement vaults. The first floor housed deposit and weighing rooms, along with the press room, where striking coins took place. Mint official offices were on the second floor, and the assay
Assay
An assay is a procedure in molecular biology for testing or measuring the activity of a drug or biochemical in an organism or organic sample. A quantitative assay may also measure the amount of a substance in a sample. Bioassays and immunoassays are among the many varieties of specialized...
office was located on the third floor.
Between the smelt house and "Ye Olde Mint" a mill house was built. Horses in the basement turned a rolling mill located on the first floor.
January 1816 saw the destruction of the smelt and mill houses from a fire. The smelt house was never repaired and all smelting was done elsewhere. The mill house, which was completely destroyed, was soon replaced with a large brick building. It included a new steam engine in the basement to power the machinery above.
Until 1833, these three buildings dutifully provided America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with spendable hard currency to undertake the exploration and growth of a nation. Operations moved to the second Philadelphia mint in 1833 and the land housing the first mint was sold. In the late 19th or early 20th century, the property was sold to Frank Stewart, who approached the city asking them to preserve or relocate the historic buildings. With no governmental help "Ye Olde Mint" was demolished between 1907 and 1911. A small plaque now is the only thing memorializing the spot upon which the largest economy to date was conceived.
Second Building (1833-1901)
On July 4, 1829, a cornerstone was laid at the intersection of Chestnut and Juniper. It was designed by William StricklandWilliam Strickland (architect)
William Strickland , was a noted architect in nineteenth-century Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Nashville, Tennessee.-Life and career:...
. The second Philadelphia Mint, the "Grecian Temple", was constructed of white marble with classic Greek
Architecture of Ancient Greece
The architecture of Ancient Greece is the architecture produced by the Greek-speaking people whose culture flourished on the Greek mainland and Peloponnesus, the Aegean Islands, and in colonies in Asia Minor and Italy for a period from about 900 BC until the 1st century AD, with the earliest...
style columns on front and back. Measuring 150 feet (45.7 m) wide in front by 204 feet (62.2 m) deep, it was a huge improvement over the first facility, in space as well as image. Opening for business in January 1833, its production was constrained by the outdated machinery salvaged from "Ye Olde Mint". Franklin Peale was sent to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
to study advanced coin making technologies which were brought back and implemented, increasing productivity and quality.
The second Philadelphia mint pounded out coins through the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, three presidential assassinations, growth from sea to sea, the telegraph and telephone, and the incandescent light bulb. The nation exploded from 13 million people to 76 million by 1900, and demand soon outpaced production.
In 1901, the third Philadelphia Mint was to begin coining operations. Sold in 1902, the second mint was quickly demolished. The cornerstone buried in 1833 was unearthed and contained a candy jar with a petrified cork stoppering it. Inside the jar were three coins, a couple of newspapers, and a scroll with information on the first mint and the creation of the second.
Third Building (1901-1969)
The third Philadelphia Mint was built at 1700 Spring Garden Street and opened in 1901. It was designed by James Knox TaylorJames Knox Taylor
James Knox Taylor was Supervising Architect of the United States Department of the Treasury from 1897 to 1912. His name is listed ex officio as supervising architect of hundreds of federal buildings built throughout the United States during the period.-Early career:The son of H...
. It was a block from the United States Smelting Company was at Broad and Spring Garden Streets. In one year alone the mint produced 501,000,000 coins (5/7 of the U.S. currency minted) as well as 90,000,000 coins for foreign countries.
A massive structure nearly a full city block, it was an instant landmark. Characterized by a Roman temple facade, visitors were to marvel at seven themed glass mosaics designed by Louis C. Tiffany in a gold backed vaulted ceiling. The mosaics depicted ancient Roman coin making methods. This mint still stands intact with much of the interior as well. It was acquired by the Community College of Philadelphia
Community College of Philadelphia
The Community College of Philadelphia is a community college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The main campus is located at 1700 Spring Garden Street in a building that was the former Philadelphia Mint...
in 1973.
Current Building (1969-Present)
Five Penn Center
Five Penn Center is a 36-story highrise in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Penn Center complex designed by Edmund Bacon. The building was one of the tallest in the city until the highrise building boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s and is connected via underground...
, Centre Square
Centre Square
Centre Square is an office complex located in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The complex consists of two high-rise towers: the Centre Square I and the Centre Square II. The concrete towers are the twenty-fourth and fifteenth tallest buildings in Philadelphia,...
and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is a theatre, dance and world music venue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It helped to popularize the works of composers like Steve Reich and Philip Glass; the Center has also hosted shows by performers ranging from the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra to...
.
It was the world's largest mint when it was built and still held that distinction as of January 2009.
The Philadelphia mint can produce up to one million coins in thirty minutes. It took three years for the original mint to produce that many. The mint also produces medals and awards for military, governmental and civil services. Engraving of all dies and strikers only occurs here. Uncirculated coins minted here have the "P" mint mark
Mint mark
A mint mark is an inscription on a coin indicating the mint where the coin was produced.-History:Mint marks were first developed to locate a problem. If a coin was underweight, or overweight, the mint mark would immediately tell where the coin was minted, and the problem could be located and fixed...
, while circulated coins from before 1980 carried no mint mark except the Jefferson nickels minted from 1942–1945 and the 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar
Susan B. Anthony dollar
The Susan B. Anthony dollar is a United States coin minted from 1979 to 1981, and again in 1999. It depicts women's suffrage campaigner Susan B. Anthony on a dollar coin. It was the first circulating U.S. coin with the portrait of an actual woman rather than an allegorical female figure such as...
coins. Since 1980, all coins minted there have the "P" mint mark except pennies.
Tours can be taken where all stages of minting are explained, along with displays of past equipment.