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New Orleans Mint – A Civil War SurvivorThe New Orleans Mint, over the many decades of its existence, has accumulated a significant history. It was built because of the great importance of New Orleans to the nation, as well as the need to provide coinage for America’s rapid expansion westward.Accordingly, the New Orleans Mint was the first US branch mint intended for the production of gold and silver. This distinguished New Orleans from the gold-only branches at Charlotte and Dahlonega. All three of these institutions were authorized by Congress in March of 1835. The BuildingThe mint at New Orleans was designed by William Strickland, an experienced architect who had apprenticed under Benjamin Latrobe, Architect of the Capitol in Washington.Construction costs amounted to $300,000 in 1838. Stoutly constructed, the mint has survived the depredations of the American Civil War, and more recently, Hurricane Katrina. During the Cold War it was designated one of New Orleans most secure bomb shelters. StoriesTwo stories from the Civil War period of the mint’s history stand out:The O-Mint Under Three FlagsCoins bearing the “O” mint mark were produced under three flags – the United States, The State of Louisiana, and the Confederate States of America.When Louisiana seceded from the Union on January 26, 1861 the mint ceased production under US Federal authority. An ordinance of Louisiana’s Secession Convention permitted all federal employees of the mint to remain at their posts, now as state employees. Two months later, Louisiana ratified the Confederate States Constitution, which put the Confederate States of America in charge. During 1861 half dollars were produced under all three authorities. A total of 2,532,633 1861-O halves were produced. There is no way to know whether a specific piece was coined under US, Louisiana, or Confederate direction. It is known that the Confederates designed a new reverse for the half dollar during their tenure at the mint. There is no record as to how many of these were struck, but only four are known today, one of which was the possession of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. In April 1861 the bullion inventory ran out. Mint employees’ jobs ended on May 31. Confederate troops were quartered at the mint until New Orleans was recaptured by Union forces in 1862. William B. MumfordThe story of William Mumford began just prior to the Union occupation of New Orleans. US Navy ships, moving toward the port, dispatched a detachment of Marines to haul down Confederate colors on significant buildings such as the New Orleans Mint, then to raise the US flag.Mumford and six others ripped down the US flag from the Mint. Mumford then carried the flag to the Mayor of New Orleans. On the way, the flag was torn to shreds by angry onlookers. Once the occupation was in place, the general in charge ordered Mumford to be hanged in the courtyard of… The New Orleans Mint. The order was carried out, just before noon, on June 7, 1862. The Louisiana Governor issued a statement declaring Mumford a hero. Post Civil War to PresentThe New Orleans mint reopened in 1876 as a US Assay Office. Damaged machinery from the war years was repaired and the building resumed its status as a branch US Mint in 1878. It is especially remembered for the Morgan Silver Dollars coined from 1879 through 1904.In 1904 government funding for mint operations at New Orleans ceased. Once again, the building was used as an assay office. In 1932 it became a Federal prison, and in 1943 it became a storage facility for the US Coast Guard. In 1965, ownership was transferred to the State of Louisiana. The rugged New Orleans mint building was designated a bomb shelter about this time. The building has since been renovated and now is a museum of minting history. It also houses collections of the Louisiana State Museum. During Hurricane Katrina, the roof was somewhat damaged. However, the enthusiasm of coin collectors and others who appreciate the history of the New Orleans Mint remains high and dry.
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