US Mint Philadelphia

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Location: 151 North Independence Mall East, Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a city of firsts, and the US Mint is no exception. Because Philadelphia was the capital of the country in 1792 when the Congress called for an establishment of a national mint, the first US Mint was built in the city.

The first coins printed were made of gold, silver, and copper and the first denominations were a cent and a half-cent. All early coins were made by hand or by horsepower until 1836 when Philadelphia got its first steam-operated coin press.

The ability to make coins increased greatly with that invention. The Philadelphia Mint has moved three times since the early days and the ultra-modern plant now provides a wide array of coins and manufacturing services, including both circulating coins and collector's coins. Touring the mint is fascinating and children especially love to view the huge vats of pennies or nickels from the windows above the manufacturing floor.

Visitors will learn about how coins are made today as well as the history of coin-making on this self-guided tour. There's also a gift shop that sells commemorative coins, books, games, and US Mint souvenirs.