The 7 Phases of Watch Collecting

 

This video breaks down the 7 Phases of Watch Collecting—from your first Timex to total enlightenment. Discover which phase you’re in right now, the psychology behind each stage, and how to escape the trap that’s quietly draining your wallet.

Proof Coins: Making Money

 

San Francisco Mint Deputy Superintendent Paul Lewis describes the process of minting proof coins and what makes them unique.

What Types of Coins Does the U.S. Mint Make? Let's Find Out!

 

"Ask the Mint" answers real questions from students across the United States! 

The National Medal

In accordance with Public Law 92-229, the United States Mint produced the National Medal commemorating the year 1776 and its significance to American independence. The medal was designed to exacting standards by the Mint's Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro and depicts the Statue of Liberty ringed by 50 stars representing the 50 States and 1776-1976 on the obverse. The reverse bears the Great Seal of the United States and the inscription "We the People."

The National Medal was offered for sale in seven different versions and four sizes between January 1 and July 31, 1975. The $4,000 three-inch gold medal was made-to-order and individually numbered. 424 of those were sold. Two smaller versions in gold were also offered. The Mint sold 30,239 units of the $100 version and 5,383 units of the $400 version. Additionally, the Mint sold 426,459 units of $5 bronze medals, 209,885 units of $25 silver medals, and 47,150 units of $15 gold-plated medals. The Mint also sold 9,425 three-inch silver medals, valued at $150 each. 

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

 

"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.

Mint Marks on Medals

Most medals don’t have mint marks. The Philadelphia Mint makes Congressional Gold Medals and their bronze duplicates, Presidential Medals, and most others. But for certain numismatic silver medals, other Mint facilities may help. The U.S. Mint sometimes places a mint mark on a medal for marketing purposes. The mark can be on the obverse or reverse side, depending on how it fits into the design. Source

Mint Marks

Mint marks are letters that identify where a coin was made. In the past, they held the maker responsible for the quality of a coin. When the U.S. used precious metals such as gold and silver to make circulating coins, a commission evaluated the composition and quality of coins from each of the Mint facilities. These evaluations ensured that each facility produced coins to the correct specifications.

Philadelphia was the only branch in operation in the Mint’s earliest years, so identifying the source of a coin was not necessary. When the Mint opened branches in Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans in 1838, mint marks made their first appearance on U.S. coins.

However, the practice of not identifying Philadelphia’s coins continued even after the first branches were established.

This changed in 1942. When nickel was removed from five-cent coins during World War II, the “P” mint mark first appeared on coins produced in Philadelphia. The mark’s position also moved from the right of Monticello to above the dome to indicate the new metal composition.

After the war, when use of the regular alloy resumed, mint marks returned to their former positions, and the Mint no longer used Philadelphia’s “P.”

The Coinage Act of 1965 eliminated mint marks to discourage collecting while the Mint worked to meet the country’s coinage needs. So, no mint marks appeared on circulating coins from 1965 to 1967.

When mint marks returned in 1968, they were placed on the obverse, after having previously been on the reverse of coins.

In 1979, the Susan B. Anthony Dollar was introduced. Once again, the “P” mint mark appeared. The following year, the “P” appeared on all of the denominations except the cent, which still holds true today.

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