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 is the largest of the four operating facilities of the United States Mint and the primary producer of American coinage. Located at 151 North Independence Mall East in Old City, the Philadelphia Mint produces billions of coins annually for general circulation and is the only U.S. Mint to produce all denominations of circulating coins. The current building, opened in 1969, is the fourth Philadelphia Mint facility since the institution's founding in 1792.[1]
The Mint offers free self-guided tours that allow visitors to observe the coin production process through large glass windows. Philadelphia's is the only U.S. Mint facility that does not place a mint mark on circulating coins, though the "P" mint mark appears on some commemorative and proof coins produced after 1980.[2]
History
[edit | edit source]Founding
[edit | edit source]The United States Mint was established by the Coinage Act of 1792, making it one of the first federal agencies created by the new nation. Philadelphia, then the nation's capital, was the natural location for the mint.
The first Mint building was constructed at 7th Street and Arch Street in 1792—the first building erected by the federal government under the Constitution. President George Washington reportedly donated silver from his personal collection to be melted into the nation's first coins.
The Four Philadelphia Mints
[edit | edit source]| 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)
[edit | edit source]The First Mint was a modest three-story brick building. It produced the nation's first coins, including the 1793 Chain Cent. The Mint's original equipment was hand-operated, and early coin production was laborious.
Second Mint (1833-1901)
[edit | edit source]The Second Mint was designed by William Strickland in the Greek Revival style. It was considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in America but was demolished in 1907 despite preservation efforts.
Third Mint (1901-1969)
[edit | edit source]The Third Mint was a massive granite structure designed to meet growing coinage demands. After the Mint relocated in 1969, the building was converted into the Community College of Philadelphia, which it remains today.
Current Mint (1969-Present)
[edit | edit source]The Fourth and current Mint was designed by Vincent Kling and opened in 1969. The modernist building occupies an entire city block adjacent to Independence Mall and was designed for efficiency in high-volume coin production.
Coin Production
[edit | edit source]Capacity
[edit | edit source]The Philadelphia Mint can produce over 1 million coins per hour and billions of coins annually. It is the primary facility for circulating U.S. coinage, including:
- Pennies (one cent)
- Nickels (five cents)
- Dimes (ten cents)
- Quarters (twenty-five cents)
- Dollar coins
The "P" Mint Mark
[edit | edit source]Historically, coins produced in Philadelphia bore no mint mark, distinguishing them from coins produced in Denver ("D"), San Francisco ("S"), and West Point ("W"). In 1979, the "P" mint mark was first added to dollar coins, and it now appears on most Philadelphia-minted coins except pennies.
Commemorative and Proof Coins
[edit | edit source]The Philadelphia Mint also produces:
- Congressional Gold Medals
- National medals
- Some commemorative coins
- Uncirculated coin sets
Visiting the Mint
[edit | edit source]Self-Guided Tours
[edit | edit source]The Philadelphia Mint offers free self-guided tours of the production facility:
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (last tour begins at 4:30 PM)
- Closed: Weekends, federal holidays
- Admission: Free
- Duration: Approximately 30-45 minutes
Tours are available on a walk-in basis, though wait times can be lengthy during peak tourist season.
What You'll See
[edit | edit source]The tour includes:
- Coin production floor: Observe coins being struck through large observation windows
- Exhibits: History of U.S. coinage and the Philadelphia Mint
- Interactive displays: Learn about coin design and production
- David Rittenhouse Gallery: Featuring historic coins and medals
Note: Due to security restrictions, visitors cannot access the actual production floor.
Gift Shop
[edit | edit source]The Mint's gift shop offers:
- Uncirculated coin sets
- Commemorative coins and medals
- Mint-branded merchandise
- Numismatic publications
Security
[edit | edit source]As a federal facility, the Mint has strict security requirements:
- Photo ID required for adults
- Metal detectors and bag screening
- No weapons, large bags, or food/drink permitted
- Photography is permitted in the gallery areas
Getting There
[edit | edit source]- SEPTA Market-Frankford Line: 5th Street Station (adjacent)
- SEPTA Bus: Routes 5, 17, 33, 48
- Walking: Directly adjacent to Independence Mall
Nearby Attractions
[edit | edit source]- Independence Hall (across the street)
- Liberty Bell (across the street)
- National Constitution Center (1 block)
- Benjamin Franklin Museum (1 block)
Numismatic Interest
[edit | edit source]Key Philadelphia-Minted Coins
[edit | edit source]Philadelphia has produced many significant coins in American numismatic history:
- 1793 Chain Cent: First regular U.S. coin
- 1909 VDB Cent: First Lincoln cent
- 1976 Bicentennial Quarter: Commemorating 200 years of independence
Mint Visits for Collectors
[edit | edit source]Coin collectors often visit the Philadelphia Mint to:
- Purchase limited-edition coins directly
- See the production process for coins in their collections
- View historic numismatic artifacts in the museum
See Also
[edit | edit source]- Old City, Philadelphia
- Independence Mall
- Benjamin Franklin
- Federal Government in Philadelphia
- Colonial Philadelphia
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Philadelphia Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved December 30, 2025
- ↑ "United States Mint". Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025