|
The Philadelphia Mint -- OK, But Which One?The Philadelphia Mint, for all its humble beginnings, has grown through two centuries and four edifices into a massively efficient institution.First MintThinking of the first Philadelphia mint, efficiency is not what comes to mind. The mint struggled for its very survival.Ultimately the growth in the US economy dictated that the mint become a permanent institution, in buildings purpose-designed for its needs, reflecting state of the art technology. This process continues to the present. Second MintConstruction of the second mint in Philadelphia began on July 4, 1829. Completed in 1833, the new mint facility resembled a Greek temple of the Classical Age. A contemporary engraving of the building appears at the top of this page.The new mint was considerably larger than the original mint. It needed to be, as the economy was now driven by a US population of 19 million, up from 4 million when the first mint opened in the 1790’s. Initially, the second mint did what it could with the machinery it inherited from the original facility. Franklin Peale was sent to Europe to observe and report upon production methods and equipment in use there. The outcome was that the mint received its first steam-powered coining press in 1836. The second mint continued in operation for the rest of the 19th century. It was razed to the ground in 1902, following the opening of its replacement. Third MintThe third Philadelphia Mint opened in 1901. It was as much a step up in size as the second mint had been over the first. Designed in the Romanesque style then popular, the building covered an entire city block.This was by far the most elegant of US mint buildings, featuring immense columns, tons of Italian marble, and liberal amounts of gold leaf. Several glass mosaic panels by Louis C. Tiffany graced the ceiling. The third mint operated until 1969, when it too was replaced. The building exists today as the Philadelphia Community College. Fourth (Present) MintThe fourth, and current, mint at Philadelphia reflects the utilitarian design of modern government facilities. It opened in 1969.What it lacks in elegance the fourth mint makes up in production. Producing millions of coins each day, it is considered the largest coin manufacturing facility in the world.
|
