Newspaper Page Text
Minting
Nation’s
Money
by TRACY "
LEINBERGER-LEONARDI
To establish a mint in America, it took
a revolution and an act of Congress.
In the mid-1600s, currency in
America was scarce and colonists unsuccess
fully petitioned King Charles I of England to
create their own mint. When Civil War broke
out and England existed the king in 1649, Bos
ton citizens took advantage of the lull in leader
ship and created their own currency—the Pine
Tree Shilling—minted in 1652. Even as a new
king was seated in 1667, Bostonians continued
to secretly make their shilling.
It wasn't until the American Revolution
ended that Americans were able to freely cre
ate their own currency. Unfortunately, each
state was producing its own unique money,
which led to widespread monetary confusion.
In 1775, North Guolina alone had 17 differ
ent forms of money.
Finally in 1782, Robert Morris, who head
ed America's newly formed finance depart
ment, presented Congress with a plan for
their new country’s coins. Congress embraced
the idea and instructed Secretary of the
Treasury Alexander Hamilton to create a
plan for a national mint. Ten years later, on
April 2, 1792, President George Washington
approved the plan.
The Mint, built in Philadelphia, was the
first federal structure erected in the United
States under the Constitution. In March 1793,
11,178 copper U.S. cents rolled out of the
Mint with a value of SI 11.78. Gold and silver
coins soon would follow.
Today, the United States Mint, which
makes more coins and medals than any other
mint in the world, operates six facilities: its
headquarters in Washington, D.C., and mints
in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, West
Point, N.Y., and the U.S. Bullion Depository
in Fort Knox, Ky. The U.S. Mint produces
billions of regular and commemorative coins,
including coins for other countries, and med
als of great honor and distinction. On a typi
cal day, the U.S. Mint produces 30 million
coins worth about SI million.
Free tours are offered at l>xh the Philadel
phia and Denver mints, where curious visitors
can see firsthand how coins are made and learn
the amazing history of the U.S. Mint.
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Visit www.usmint.gov to learn more.
www.americanprofile.com •
THE 2006 UNITED STATES MINT PROOF SET® IS HERE. JUST 522.95.
Imagine the superheroes of our nation in deep-mirrored, super-sharp relief.
Pristine examples of mint craftsmanship sealed in a special display case,
these extraordinarily brilliant coins are a great way to commemorate a
birthday or milestone. Best of all, they'll keep these action figures for years
FOR GENUINE UNITED STATES MINT PRODUCTS,
VISIT WWW.USMINT.GOV OR CALL I.BOO.USA.MINT.
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Tell him they’re little, shiny,
round, historic action figures.
GENU IN kLY WORTHWHILE
UNI FED MAI I S MINI