United States Mint
| Type | Government facility, mint |
|---|---|
| Address | 151 North Independence Mall East |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Old City |
| Phone | (215) 408-0112 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1792 |
| Founder | United States Congress |
| Owner | United States Government |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (self-guided tours) |
| Products | U.S. coinage production |
| Status | Active |
The United States Mint at Philadelphia ranks as the largest of the four operating facilities in the U.S. Mint system. It's the main producer of American coinage, located at 151 North Independence Mall East in Old City. Every year, billions of coins roll off the production lines here for everyday circulation, and it's the only U.S. Mint that makes all denominations of circulating coins. The building you see today opened in 1969. That's actually the fourth facility the Mint has occupied in Philadelphia since Congress established it in 1792.[1]
The Mint runs free self-guided tours. Visitors watch the coin production process through big glass windows, which is as close as the public gets to the actual factory floor. Philadelphia's facility stands alone among U.S. Mints because it doesn't stamp a mint mark on regular circulating coins. The "P" mark does show up on commemorative and proof coins made after 1980, but that's it.[2]
History
Founding
Congress established the United States Mint through the Coinage Act of 1792. This made it one of the earliest federal agencies the new nation created. Philadelphia made perfect sense as the location. It was the capital back then.
The first building went up at 7th Street and Arch Street in 1792. This was the first structure the federal government built under the Constitution. President George Washington supposedly donated silver from his own collection so it could be melted down into the nation's first coins. A nice symbolic touch for a new country.
The Four Philadelphia Mints
| Mint | Location | Years | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Mint | 7th & Arch Streets | 1792-1833 | Demolished |
| Second Mint | Juniper & Chestnut Streets | 1833-1901 | Demolished 1907 |
| Third Mint | Spring Garden & 17th Streets | 1901-1969 | Now Community College of Philadelphia |
| Fourth Mint | 5th & Arch Streets | 1969-present | Active |
First Mint (1792-1833)
The First Mint wasn't much to look at. Just a modest three-story brick building. But it turned out the nation's first coins here, including the famous 1793 Chain Cent. Everything was hand-operated in those early days. The work was grueling.
Second Mint (1833-1901)
William Strickland designed the Second Mint in the Greek Revival style. It became one of the finest examples of that architectural style in the country. Still, someone tore it down in 1907. Preservation advocates fought hard, but they lost.
Third Mint (1901-1969)
The Third Mint was an imposing granite structure. It had to be big to handle the growing demand for coins. When the operation moved in 1969, the building didn't sit empty for long. The Community College of Philadelphia took it over and still uses it today.
Current Mint (1969-Present)
Vincent Kling designed the Fourth and current Mint, which opened in 1969. It's a modernist building that takes up an entire city block right next to Independence Mall. Every aspect of the design focused on one thing: efficiency. The place was built to churn out coins at massive scale.
Coin Production
Capacity
The Philadelphia Mint's capacity is staggering. Over 1 million coins per hour. Billions every year. It's the main source of circulating U.S. coins, producing all five denominations:
- Pennies (one cent)
- Nickels (five cents)
- Dimes (ten cents)
- Quarters (twenty-five cents)
- Dollar coins
The "P" Mint Mark
For most of its history, coins from Philadelphia had no mint mark at all. This set them apart from Denver coins (marked "D"), San Francisco coins ("S"), and West Point coins ("W"). But in 1979, they started adding the "P" mark to dollar coins. Now you'll find it on most Philadelphia-minted coins. Pennies are the exception.
Commemorative and Proof Coins
Beyond regular circulating coins, the Mint also produces:
- Congressional Gold Medals
- National medals
- Commemorative coins
- Uncirculated coin sets
Visiting the Mint
Self-Guided Tours
The Philadelphia Mint offers free self-guided tours open to the public:
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with the last tour starting at 4:30 PM
- Closed: Weekends and federal holidays
- Admission: Free
- Duration: Roughly 30-45 minutes
You can walk in anytime during business hours. Don't expect a short wait during the busy tourist season, though.
What You'll See
The tour takes you through several key areas:
- Coin production floor: Large observation windows let you watch coins being struck
- Exhibits: Historical displays covering U.S. coinage and the Philadelphia Mint's past
- Interactive displays: Hands-on learning about coin design and how coins get made
- David Rittenhouse Gallery: Historic coins and medals on display
There's a catch. Security restrictions mean you won't actually set foot on the production floor itself.
Gift Shop
The Mint runs a gift shop selling:
- Uncirculated coin sets
- Commemorative coins and medals
- Merchandise branded with the Mint's logo
- Numismatic books and publications
Security
It's a federal facility, so don't be surprised by tight security:
- Photo ID required for adults
- Metal detectors and bag checks
- No weapons, oversized bags, or outside food and drink allowed
- Photography's okay in the gallery areas
Getting There
- SEPTA Market-Frankford Line: 5th Street Station sits right next door
- SEPTA Bus: Routes 5, 17, 33, and 48 all stop nearby
- Walking: It's directly adjacent to Independence Mall
Nearby Attractions
You're right in the heart of historic Philadelphia:
- Independence Hall (across the street)
- Liberty Bell (across the street)
- National Constitution Center (one block away)
- Benjamin Franklin Museum (one block away)
Numismatic Interest
Key Philadelphia-Minted Coins
Collectors know that Philadelphia has produced some truly important coins:
- 1793 Chain Cent: The nation's first regular coin
- 1909 VDB Cent: The debut of the Lincoln cent
- 1976 Bicentennial Quarter: Celebrating 200 years of American independence
Mint Visits for Collectors
Serious coin enthusiasts visit the Philadelphia Mint for several reasons:
- Pick up limited-edition coins straight from the source
- Watch their coins being made in person
- Examine rare numismatic pieces in the museum collection
See Also
- Old City, Philadelphia
- Independence Mall
- Benjamin Franklin
- Federal Government in Philadelphia
- Colonial Philadelphia
References
- ↑ "Philadelphia Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved December 30, 2025
- ↑ "United States Mint". Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025