The United States Mint is the official national Mint of the United States of America. It is renowned for crafting the highly sought-after American Eagle gold and silver bullion coins and overseeing the safekeeping of the nation’s official gold reserves. The Mint is the foremost global producer of gold and silver coins and the largest manufacturer of coins and medals.

In addition to crafting gold and silver bullion coins and commemorative pieces, the US Mint operates multiple facilities dedicated to minting coins for everyday legal tender circulation, medals, proofs, and other forms of numismatic coinage.

History of the United States Mint

The US Mint’s inception dates back to April 1792, marked by the enactment of the US Coinage Act, which formalized the creation of “a mint for the purpose of a national coinage.” This legislation also delineated the value of a US dollar, pegging it to 371.25 grains of silver, and established the gold-silver ratio at 15 to 1. Philadelphia housed the inaugural minting facility, inaugurated in the same year.

As gold discoveries proliferated across various regions of the United States, new mint facilities emerged in their vicinity. Notably, following the gold rushes in Georgia and North Carolina, minting facilities were established there. The year 1854 saw the advent of the San Francisco Mint, prompted by the gold finds in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Subsequently, in 1862, Denver became home to another minting facility. However, many of these facilities eventually ceased operations.

In 1938, the US Mint inaugurated the West Point bullion facility two years after establishing the Fort Knox depository. Renowned for their stringent security measures, both facilities serve as custodians of the US official gold reserves and enjoy international recognition. The Philadelphia Mint and Denver Mint remain active in producing coins for circulation, while the US Mint has previously manufactured foreign coins.

American Eagle coin series

The American Eagle coin series represents the official bullion coins the United States Mint minted. Initiated in 1986, these coins maintain consistent designs across their gold and silver variants. The obverse side displays August Saint-Gaudens’ rendition of Lady Liberty holding a torch and olive branch, with the Capitol building in the backdrop, mirroring the iconic $20 Saint-Gaudens gold coin, first commissioned by Theodore Roosevelt.

Formerly, until 2021, the coin’s reverse showcased a depiction of a male bald eagle carrying an olive branch, soaring over a nest housing a female eagle and eaglet. This design, by sculptor Miley Busiek Frost, symbolized homage to the American family, senior citizens, and youth. However, in 2021, a new reverse design by Jennie Noris was introduced, featuring a striking close-up portrait of an eagle’s intense gaze.

American Gold Eagle coins

American Gold Eagle coins were initially issued in 1986 across various denominations, ranging from the small 1/10 oz to the larger ½ oz and 1 oz versions. Crafted from 22-karat gold with .9167 purity, they transitioned from dating designs with Roman numerals to Arabic numerals in 1992. Additionally, proof and burnished variants are available.

American Silver Eagle coins

Launched alongside the Gold Eagle in 1986, Silver American Eagle coins instantly gained international acclaim. Solely available in a 1 oz denomination, these coins are minted from 99.9% pure silver, possessing a nominal face value of $1 but surpassing it significantly in intrinsic worth.

American Platinum Eagle coins

The Platinum American Eagle coins, introduced in 1997, consist of .9995 pure platinum. Initially offered in fractional denominations until 2008, they are now solely available in a 1 oz denomination. Distinguished by a unique design, the obverse features John Mercanti’s depiction of the Statue of Liberty. At the same time, the reverse showcases Thomas D. Rogers’ portrayal of an eagle in flight over the US. Notably, the platinum-proof versions display a fresh reverse design annually.

American Palladium Eagle coins

The American Palladium Eagle debuted in 2017, featuring .9995 pure palladium in a 1 oz denomination. It was adorned with Adolph A. Weinman’s Winger Liberty design on the obverse and the same American Gold Eagle design on the reverse as seen on the American Institute of Architects’ annual Gold Medal.

Other bullion products by the United States Mint

Renowned globally as the leading producer of gold and silver coins, the US Mint is esteemed for its extensive array of bullion products. Alongside its production of historic US gold and silver circulation coins, the mint crafts bullion coins in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Here are some notable examples:

American Buffalo

Debuting in 2006, the American Gold Buffalo coin marked a historic milestone as the United States Mint’s inaugural 24-karat gold coin. Crafted with .9999 pure gold, these coins feature a striking design: the obverse showcases a profile portrait of a Native American tribal member, while the reverse depicts the iconic American bison.

America the Beautiful

The America the Beautiful silver bullion coin series, initiated in 2010, offers collectors and investors alike 5 oz silver coins with a purity of .999. From 2010 to 2021, this series comprises 56 distinct designs, grouped in sets of five each year. Each design pays homage to the nation’s rich tapestry of historic monuments, national parks, and lakeshores, representing every US state, the five overseas territories, and the federal district of Washington, DC.