Coins have been minted in Philadelphia as long as the federal government has produced coins. First authorized by Congress in 1792, the U.S. Mint’s Philadelphia facility continues to be the nation’s largest producer of coins.
The first mint, founded in 1792, was located on Seventh Street between Arch and Filbert Streets. President Washington appointed David Rittenhouse to be the first Director of the Mint. It was a 3 story brick building, with "Ye Olde Mint" painted on the facade. (1st photo)
As the United States grew, the mint could not keep up with the demand for coins. In 1833 the mint moved to a new, larger building at Juniper and Chestnut Streets. The building was built in the Greek revival style with white marble and Ionic columns. (2nd photo)
The second Philadelphia mint increased the output of coins with advanced metal-refining methods and steam-powered coin presses. Despite the increased output, there were frequent coin shortages, so, to ease pressure on the Philadelphia mint and reduce transportation costs, the U.S. government established other mints around the nation.
Toward the end of the nineteenth century, the Philadelphia mint began producing coins for other nations, including Panama, the Philippines, and Cuba. However, the size of the second Philadelphia mint’s facility hindered its production capabilities. To increase output and improve efficiency, the mint moved in 1901 to an even larger facility at 1700 Spring Garden Street. The 2nd mint was demolished in 1902, but 6 of it's columns were preserved and stand at the entrance of Einstein Medical Center on N Broad St. (3rd photo)
Located near the United States Smelting Company, several machine shops, and railroad tracks, the third Philadelphia mint (4th photo) had an ideal location for receiving raw supplies and transporting finished coins. Because of its size and location, the third Philadelphia mint quickly became one of the most productive coin manufacturing facilities in the world.
1st mint building, long after 2nd Mint, torn down in 1902 2nd mint's columns in front the "mint" moved out. of Albert Einstein Medical Center
3rd Mint at 17th & Spring Garden St.
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