The United States Mint, established in 1792, is a Treasury Department agency responsible for producing, selling, and distributing circulating, numismatic (collector), and bullion coins, as well as national medals. Operating at four main facilities (Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point), the Mint is the nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender, and is self-sustaining.

Core Functions and Products

Circulating Coins: Manufactures all authorized legal tender coins for commerce.

Numismatic Coins: Produces specialized coins for collectors, including proof and uncirculated sets.

Bullion Coins: Produces gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins for investors.

Medals: Strikes Congressional Gold Medals and other national medals.

Asset Protection: Maintains physical custody and protection of the nation’s gold and silver reserves.

Production Facilities & Mint Marks

Philadelphia (P): Produces circulating coins, medals, and the annual uncirculated set.
Denver (D): Produces the majority of circulating coins.
San Francisco (S): Primarily strikes proof coins.
West Point (W): Primarily strikes bullion coins.

Key Historical and Operational Details

Origins: Founded by Congress under the Coinage Act of 1792.

Self-Funding: The Mint's operations are self-sustaining, covering costs through coin sales rather than tax dollars.

Design Process: Medallic artists transform approved designs into three-dimensional, digitized, or hand-sculpted models to create production dies.

Mint Marks: Letters on coins (P, D, S, W) identify which facility produced them.

The U.S. Mint also operates sales centers and offers public tours at the Philadelphia and Denver facilities.