Seeing that there are West Point Lincoln Cents, Jefferson Nickels, and Washington Quarters in 2019 and 2020, I think it will be interesting to talk about the West Point Mint. Also, I hope they do other special coins.
Back in 2017, I visit the Philadelphia Mint Building and get to see the history of US coins, but there is a mint closer to me than Philadelphia. The West Point mint is not as well-known as the other current mint branches, Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco. After all, it has only been a mint branch since 1988.
West Point is known for its military academy which has been there since 1802, but even before that is the treasonous act done by General Benedict Arnold who attempts to give the site to the British in 1780. It is the perfect military site along the Hudson River during the Revolutionary War.
From Depository to Mint Branch
West Point is initially a silver bullion depository for the US government in 1938. As a result, it is known as the “Fort Knox of Silver”. Though it is located in West Point, NY, it has no affiliation with the West Point Military Academy. Almost $300 million of silver bullion are sent to numerous countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and Saudi Arabia.
Supposedly, between 1974 and 1986, some Lincoln Cents are from West Point as well as Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco. I haven’t yet found anything where you can determine which ones are from the West Point Mint as there is no known way to distinguish ones from there. They have no mint mark like the ones from Philadelphia. If anyone knows how to distinguish between Philadelphia and West Point cents, let me know.
Also, West Point also helps mint some of the US Bicentennial coinage in 1976. Once again, no mint mark is on them.
By 1980, West Point starts gold metal production. As a result, they house $20 million in gold making them the second largest gold storage facility in the United States, after Fort Knox.
The first coins from West Point are in 1983 with the $10 Gold Commemoratives for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Since then, many other commemoratives have been from there. Since then, many commemorative coins come from West Point.
The West Point Bullion Depository will become the West Point Mint on March 31, 1988. West Point is the fourth modern US Mint Branch along with Philadelphia, San Francisco and Denver.
West Point Mint Goes Beyond Commemoratives
In 1995, West Point expands beyond Commemoratives by minting Bullion Coins. The US Mint releases a 10th Anniversary American Eagle Five Coin Set (American Eagle Silver Dollar and American Eagle Gold 1/10th ounce, 1/4 ounce, 1/2 ounce, and 1 ounce coins). This set includes the 1995-W American Eagle Silver Dollar, the key date of the set at only 30,125.
The 1996 US Mint Set would introduce an Uncirculated 1996-W Roosevelt Dime to celebrate the Roosevelt Dimes 50th anniversary. This will be the first regular issue US coin with a “W” mint mark.
In 2000, the first US bimetallic coin comes the West Point Mint for the Library of Congress Commemorative.
2001 begins seeing American Eagle Silver Dollar Proofs from West Point. This mint branch also mints burnished dollars in certain years as well as a 2013-W Reverse Proof. They will also mint the four American Eagle and American Buffalo Gold coins.
West Point will be the first to mint American Eagle Platinum coins in 1997 and American Eagle Palladium coins in 2017.
West Point Mint Begins To Mint Modern Coinage
They include:
Lincoln Cents
- Proof 2019-W from the 2019 Proof Set
- Reverse Proof 2019-W from the 2019 Silver Proof Set
- Uncirculated 2019-W from the 2019 Mint Set
Jefferson Nickels
- Proof 2020-W from the 2020 Proof Set
- Reverse Proof 2020-W from the 2020 Silver Proof Set
- NOTE: A 2020-W Uncirculated was to be included in the 2020 Mint Set, but because of Covid-19 and the reduction of employees, none were minted.
Roosevelt Dimes
- Uncirculated 1996-W from the 1996 Mint Set
Washington Quarters
- All 5 2019 and 2020 America the Beautiful Quarters – Only 2,000,000 of each are in circulation
Kennedy Half Dollars
- Reverse Proof 2014-W from the 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half Dollar
set
- Gold Proof 2014-W
Sacagawea Dollars
- Enhanced Uncirculated 2015-W from the 2015 Sacagawea Coin and Currency Set
Unfortunately, There Are No Tours
As I am writing this, there are no tours there. I guess it’s understandable with all of the gold and silver there. It will be almost like visiting Fort Knox. I think if they ever decide to start a tour there, I will make an effort to go, seeing that I’m only a few hours away. How about you?