History | U.S. Mint (2024)

FAQs

What are the 12 US mints? ›

The Fugio cent, also known as the Franklin cent, is the first official circulation coin of the United States. Consisting of 0.36 oz (10 g) of copper and minted dated 1787, by some accounts it was designed by Benjamin Franklin.

The first United States Mint was created in Philadelphia in 1792, and soon joined by other centers, whose coins were identified by their own mint marks. There are currently four active coin-producing mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point. Washington, D.C., U.S.

There are today four United States mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point. The bullion depository at Fort Knox is also part of the Mint system. On October 19, 1995 — a typical day — the mint produced 30 million coins worth about one million dollars.

The current mint marks on United States coinage are P, D, S, and W for the 4 currently operating US Mints. The letter P is used for the Philadelphia Mint, D for the Denver Mint, S for the San Francisco Mint, and W for the West Point Mint. Over time there have been 9 official United States Mints.

The U.S. Mint makes the nation's circulating coins, as well as bullion and numismatic (collector) coins. The Mint's four production facilities in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point use a variety of machines and processes. Explore the steps of how the Mint makes coins.

Mint was created in 1792 so that America could have one standard form of money. Fun Fact! Coins and paper bills aren't made by the same agency. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) makes paper money.

As a part of the U.S. Department of Treasury, the United States Mint derives its authority from the United States Congress. Congress authorizes every coin and most medals that the U.S. Mint manufactures and oversees the Mint's operations under its Public Enterprise Fund (PEF).

Approximately 30 million pennies are produced each day (U.S. Mint produces >13 billion pennies each year).

What metal are pennies made from? ›

Pennies are made of zinc coated with copper. Only nickels are one solid material—that same 75% copper/25% nickel alloy.

254, enacted July 23, 1965, eliminated silver from the circulating United States dime (ten-cent piece) and quarter dollar coins. It also reduced the silver content of the half dollar from 90 percent to 40 percent; silver in the half dollar was subsequently eliminated by a 1970 law.

Current U.S. mint marks are P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco), and W (West Point). Learn more about mint marks. The part of a coin's design that is raised above the surface. The flat portion of a coin's surface not used for design or inscription.

More than 1,600 employees work at six United States Mint facilities: Philadelphia, PA – Production Facility. San Francisco, CA – Production Facility. Denver, CO – Production Facility.