
The Philadelphia Mint produces Congressional Gold Medals, the highest civilian honor the nation bestows. They are used to strike blank metallic disks that eventually leave the facility as coins. Dies are the round cylinders of hardened tool steel with a negative impression of the coin design. More than 50,000 dies are produced each year at the Philadelphia Mint. Most new coins and medals are designed in Philadelphia by the Mint’s sculptor-engravers and medallic artists. In addition to manufacturing coins for general circulation, the Philadelphia Mint also produces numismatic products including annual uncirculated coin sets, congressionally authorized commemorative coins, and medals. The Philadelphia Mint produces more than 35 million coins each day. With approximately 426 employees, the fourth Philadelphia facility is the world’s largest mint in both size and production, covering more than five acres of ground with more than 500,000 square feet of administrative, production and public space. Its location at Independence Mall East is a few hundred yards from the site of the first Mint building. The fourth Philadelphia Mint opened on Aug. Today, the current Philadelphia Mint is a state-of-the art facility equipped with the technology to produce one million coins every 30 minutes.” “In those days, it took three years to produce our nation’s first one million coins.

“We have come a long way from our modest beginning in 1792,” said Mint Director David Ryder. The original “five-handed” shovel used for the ground breaking the fourth Philadelphia Mint will also be on display. In celebration of this milestone, on August 14, visitors will have a rare opportunity to speak directly with Mint personnel who make our nation’s coins. PHILADELPHIA – The United States Mint (Mint) marked a historic milestone today: the 50th anniversary of its fourth and current minting facility in Philadelphia, PA.
