Philadelphia was the nation's first mint and provides a wide range of manufacturing services and coins. Similar to its Denver counterpart, the Philadelphia Mint produces circulating coins, regardless of the denomination, and commemorative coins that are authorized by Congress. It also creates the dies used for stamping medals and coins. Only the Philadelphia Mint facility engraves the designs that are shown on U.S. coins and medals.
The San Francisco Mint contributes greatly to the production of the nation's coinage. It does not produce coins that are currently in circulation, however it is the sole manufacturer of silver and regular proof coin sets. These set the standard for excellence with their ingenious artistry, enduring quality, and fine craftsmanship.
Gold was discovered in Colorado in 1858. Hundreds of miners, merchants, and settlers came to Colorado for their own stake in the rush for gold. One year later, Denver was founded. In 1863, the Denver Mint was established and began to manufacture every denomination of coins that were in circulation and also began to manufacture coin dies. The Denver mint also stores silver and gold bullion.
The West Point Mint is located in New York near the U.S. Military Academy. It manufactures the entire line of American Eagle proof and gold, silver, and platinum coins that are not in circulation. The platinum and gold coins are produced in denominations of tenth-ounce, quarter-ounce, half-ounce, and one-ounce. Silver bullion coins can be acquired in the one-ounce denomination.