Coins

United States Mint

https://www.usmint.gov "Connecting America through Coins" The mission of the U.S. Mint is to serve the American people by manufacturing and distributing circulating, precious metal and collectible coins and national medals, and providing security over assets entrusted to us. 

Since our institution’s founding in 1792, the Mint has taken great pride in rendering the story of our nation in coins. To hold a coin or medal produced by the Mint is to connect to the founding principles of our nation and the makings of our economy.

The Mint is the nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the nation to conduct its trade and commerce.

The Mint also produces coin-related products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. The Mint’s programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to the taxpayer.

Browse our History section to learn about the Mint’s history as one of the oldest agencies in the federal government.

Coinage Act of April 2, 1792 U.S. Mint Historical Documents

• https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/historical-documents/coinage-act-of-april-2-1792 Apr 19, 2017 "Establishing a mint and regulating the coins of the United States. SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, and it is hereby enacted and declared, That a Mint for the purpose of a national coinage be, and the same is established; to be situated and carried on at the seat of the Government of the United States, for the time being: And that for the well conducting of the business of the said Mint, there shall be the following officers and persons, namely, – a Director, an assayer, a chief coiner, an engraver, a treasurer...SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That there shall be from time to time struck and coined at the said mint, coins of gold, silver, and copper, of the following denominations, values and descriptions, viz. Eagles—each to be of the value of ten dollars or units, and to contain two hundred fort-seven grains and four eighths of a grain of pure, or two hundred and seventy grains of standard gold." United States Mint

Circulating Coins

• https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-medal-programs/circulating-coins Circulating coins are the coins that the United States Mint produces for everyday transactions. Circulating coins are also included in the United States Mint’s annual coin sets, which are the staple of coin collecting. Find measurements and metal content information on the Coin Specifications table.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

• https://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/currency_12771.htm explains how much it costs to produce currency and coin in 2019.

Mint Minute 1:01

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSunulSur1Y Apr 3, 2017 Explore the storied history of the United States Mint, from 1792 to the present. USMINT

Circulating Coins: Making Money Episode 3 2:42

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqPvKxJXC_Y Jun 28, 2016 Episode 3 of the "Making Money" series looks at how the United States Mint makes circulating coins. Jun 28, 2016 Episode 3 of the "Making Money" series looks at how the United States Mint makes circulating coins. The video series explores the U.S. Mint's production of circulating, commemorative and collectible coins. USMINT

What Do You Know About America's First Coins? 3:43

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktea_gC_YHQ Oct 27, 2023 "Moments at the Mint" is a series focusing on the intersection of important moments in U.S. history with the work of the United States Mint. In this episode, we explore the creation of the first set of standardized American coins. USMINT

How Did the Discovery of Gold Help the U.S. Mint Expand? 3:40

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-9gQEbCgHI May 30, 2024 "Moments at the Mint" is a series focusing on the intersection of important moments in U.S. history with the work of the United States Mint. In this episode, we explore how the discovery of precious metals influenced current and historic Mint locations across the U.S. Learn More: https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/overview Explore the storied history of the United States Mint, from 1792 to the present. USMINT

Part I: San Francisco History 1:38

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcoU_o5ikXc Nov 27, 2017 Part I of the San Francisco Mint video series looks at Branch Mint and Old Mint operations in the 1800s. USMINT

Part II: San Francisco History 1:18

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nuk5hWzDbkk Nov 27, 2017 Part II of the San Francisco Mint video series looks at the Mint's role in helping the city recover from the 1906 earthquake and fire. USMINT

Best of Pawn Stars: 1715 Spanish Fleet Coin | History 2:44

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHTmJp8l3eg May 22, 2015 Rick thinks a pristine 1700s Spanish Fleet gold coin might be too good to be true in this scene from "Best of Pawn Stars: Fake or Fortune." Pawn Stars​

Pawn Stars: Continental Currency from 1776 (Season 8) | History 3:05

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tz_VEanzZU Apr 2, 2018 A seller brings in what may be an extremely valuable coin, so Rick takes out his scale to weigh his options in this clip from "Sticks and Stones". #PawnStars​

Pawn Stars: 1809 Gold Coin | History 3:32

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI-Kxc5eOZ8 Apr 29, 2018 A collector wants to make a deal on a rare coin from the early part of the 19th century and Rick would hate to lose out on a golden opportunity in this clip from Season 9's episode, "Rock Bottom." #PawnStars​ Pawn Stars

Pawn Stars: 1861 Half Eagle Coin | History 1:59

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOn_7Ug5n94 May 23, 2014 In this scene, a customer brings in a highly collectable 1861 Half Eagle coin.

Pawn Stars: REALLY OLD COIN IS REALLY EXPENSIVE (Season 11) | History 5:04

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3m9ZdxYW7g May 31, 2020