In 1862, an Act of Congress established the United States Mint in Denver as a United States Assay Office. It initially did not perform coinage but instead accepted gold and nuggets from miners for melting, assaying, and stamping into cast gold bars. Over time, the Denver plant became the city’s most substantial structure due to the influx of gold and silver from nearby mining operations.
The United States Mint in Denver plays a significant role in coin production, including the manufacture of coin dies, silver bullion storage, and minting various types of coins:
Coin Types Produced:
- Circulating coins
- Numismatic products, such as annual uncirculated coin sets
- Commemorative coins as authorized by Congress
Historical Background: The Denver Mint has a rich history. Its predecessors were the individuals of Clark, Gruber, and Company, who coined gold dust during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. They later established a private mint in 1860 to save on shipping and insurance costs. This mint produced gold coins representing the rich history of the region.
In 1906, the Denver Mint began coinage operations, producing a variety of coins, including gold and silver denominations. The mint’s status advanced to a Branch Mint, and it remains in operation today. The Denver Mint is known for coins bearing the “D” mint mark.
Today, the Denver Mint continues to produce commemorative coins, coin dies, and uncirculated coin sets. It has a remarkable production capacity, producing more than 50 million coins daily, with approximately 350 employees.
Pop Culture References: The Denver Mint has made appearances in popular culture, including films like Sylvester Stallone’s “Cliffhanger,” where it was featured as the site of stolen money production. Additionally, it has appeared anachronistically in television shows and has been referenced in music, showcasing its enduring significance in American culture.
United States Mint – Denver Mint
320 West Colfax Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80204-2693
Tour Information: Denver takes pride in its historic facility, one of Colorado’s oldest institutions. For detailed tour information, please refer to the “Visiting the Denver Mint” page. U.S. Mint Virtual Tours App: The U.S. Mint Virtual Tours mobile app offers numismatists of all ages a unique opportunity to explore the Denver Mint’s behind-the-scenes operations. Users can navigate the production floors through 360-degree images, providing an experience even closer to coin production than an in-person tour. The app offers interactive content and videos explaining how coins are made, along with a tour of the Philadelphia Mint and additional information about the Mint and its programs.
How can I book a tour of the Denver Mint? : The Denver Mint offers free tours for adults and kids over the age of seven. Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis for six tours daily, and tickets can only be picked up for that day. Visitors can plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled tour time to get their tickets from the Tour Information Window on Cherokee Street between Colfax Avenue and West 14th Avenue. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and is wheelchair accessible. The Denver Mint is the single largest producer of coins in the world, with a production capacity of more than 50 million coins a day and roughly 350 employees. The Mint’s Gift Shop is open to the public and offers a great selection of coins and one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
What is the history of the Denver Mint? The Denver Mint has a rich history dating back to the Colorado gold rush in the mid-1800s. The predecessors of the Denver Mint were the men of Clark, Gruber and Company, who coined gold dust brought from the gold fields by the miners during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush in 1858. The mint in Denver was established by an act of Congress approved on April 21, 1862, exclusively for the coinage of gold. The first Denver Mint opened for business in 1863 as an Assay Office only, and it wasn’t until 1906 that it began producing coins for circulation. The mint struck its first coins on February 1, 1906, and is still operating today, producing coins for circulation, as well as mint sets and commemorative coins. Coins produced at the Denver Mint bear a D mint mark, and it is the single largest producer of coins in the world, with a production capacity of more than 50 million coins a day and roughly 350 employees. The Denver Mint stores 17.5% of the country’s gold reserves. The Denver Mint offers tours to the public, with up to 6 tours a day with a maximum of 50 people on each tour. Visitors can also visit the Mint’s Gift Shop, which offers a great selection of coins and one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
What was the first coin minted at the Denver Mint? : the first coin minted at the Denver Mint was a $20 gold piece, also known as a double eagle, in 1906. The Denver Mint was established by an act of Congress approved on April 21, 1862, exclusively for the coinage of gold. However, the Mint did not begin producing coins until 1906, when it struck its first coins on February 1 of that year. In its first year, the Denver Mint made about 2.1 million gold and silver coins, including the $20 gold piece. Prior to producing coins, the Denver Mint had been an Assay Office, testing and refining gold and silver brought in by miners during the Colorado gold rush in the mid-1800s
What is the Denver Mint’s role in the production of US coins? : The Denver Mint is one of four active coin-producing mints of the United States Mint, along with Philadelphia, San Francisco, and West Point. The Denver Mint’s role in the production of US coins includes manufacturing coin dies, storing silver bullion, and minting coins for circulation, as well as producing numismatic products. The Mint produces millions of circulating coins each day, with a production capacity of more than 40,500 coins per minute using its 54 coin presses. The Denver Mint stores 17.5% of the country’s gold reserves, and it offers tours to the public, allowing visitors to learn about the history of the Mint and how coins are produced.
What types of coins are produced at the Denver Mint? : The Denver Mint produces a variety of coins for circulation and numismatic products, including annual uncirculated coin sets. Coins produced at the Denver Mint bear a D mint mark. The types of coins produced at the Denver Mint include penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, and $1 dollar coins for circulation. Half dollar and $1 coins are also produced as collectibles, although they may still be ordered by the Federal Reserve for circulation and used as legal tender. The Denver Mint is the single largest producer of coins in the world, with a production capacity of more than 50 million coins a day and roughly 350 employees. The Mint also stores 17.5% of the country’s gold reserves.
How many coins does the Denver Mint produce per minute? : the Denver Mint produces 40,500 coins per minute with its 54 coin presses. The Mint’s production capacity is more than 50 million coins a day, and it is the single largest producer of coins in the world. The Mint produces a variety of coins for circulation, including penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, and $1 dollar coins. The Mint also produces commemorative coins, which are legal tender but not minted for general circulation. Commemorative coins are produced in limited quantities, have unique designs, and are often made of precious metals. The Denver Mint’s circulating coin press strikes 750 coins per minute, while commemorative coins are struck on a specialized press and are polished or treated to enhance their appearance.
What is the difference between circulating coins and commemorative coins produced at the Denver Mint? :
Circulating coins and commemorative coins are two types of coins produced at the Denver Mint, but they have different purposes. Here are the differences between circulating coins and commemorative coins:
Circulating coins:
- Produced for everyday transactions and are used as legal tender.
- Include penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, and $1 dollar coins.
- Produced in large quantities for general circulation and are distributed through the Federal Reserve Bank.
- Have a standard design and are not minted for collectors.
- Struck once on a circulating coin press and are not polished or treated to enhance their appearance.
Commemorative coins:
- Authorized by Congress to celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions.
- Produced in limited quantities and sold at a premium to collectors.
- Legal tender, but not minted for general circulation.
- Have unique designs and are often made of precious metals.
- Struck on a specialized press and are polished or treated to enhance their appearance.