Denver is one of four US Mint branches currently minting coins, along with Philadelphia, San Francisco and West Point.
I always thought the Philadelphia Mint was the highest producer of coins in the world, but the Denver Mint produces more. If you look at circulating coins since the mid 1950s, Denver has been minting more than Philadelphia. Another thing I find out is that you can only visit there and Philadelphia. San Francisco had allowed public tours until the 1970s and West Point has yet to allow public tours.
Denver’s Beginnings
Not surprisingly, it begins as a mining village from the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush. It is originally named Denver City in 1858 after then Kansas Territorial Governor James W. Denver. In 1861, parts of the Nebraska and Kansas Territories become Colorado Territory and Denver City is the county seat of Arapahoe County. Six years later it is the territorial capital and by 1881, it becomes Colorado’s state capital and it is now just Denver. Even though a Mint Branch is started in Carson City, Nevada and gold is found in the Rocky Mountains, they will not mint coins, at least not yet.
The US Government Enters
With miners finding gold, the United States Mint opens an office in 1863 as an Assay Office. However, the gold that goes there will not be for coin production because of the Indian tribes in the area and the Civil War.
Through the years, there is hope to have a Mint branch. So much so that they purchase land to use as a branch in 1896, and even start building it in 1897. They will have issues in the beginning, but by 1904, they are able to move the assay office there.
Finally, on February 1, 1906, The Denver Mint is born and will produce 167 million silver and gold coins in the first year. It will not mint its first cent until 1911, first nickel until 1912 (last year of the Liberty Nickel), and first dollar until 1921 (last year of the Morgan Dollar). To distinguish from other mints, their coins will have a “D” mint mark. The “D’ mint mark is previously for Dahlonega, GA when it mints coins between 1838 and 1861. In 1909, the US Mint stops minting coins in New Orleans, leaving Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco as mint branches.
Fun fact: With Denver minting them in 1921, the Morgan Dollar is the only non-gold circulating coin to be minted by five mint branches – Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, New Orleans and Carson City
Denver Mint’s Early Years
The early decades of the Denver Mint show them producing significantly fewer coins than Philadelphia. Some key dates from Denver include the 1914-D, 1922-D and 1924-D Lincoln Cents and the 1916-D Mercury Dime. 1938 will be the last year to have a circulating coin under one million minted, the 1938-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar.
Beating Philadelphia
Starting in 1950, there will be more Lincoln Cents coming from Denver than Philadelphia. In fact, in 1956, Denver produces one billion cents for the first time in US history. Other coins will also have more coins from there than Philadelphia:
- Jefferson Nickels starting in 1953
- Roosevelt Dimes starting in 1952
- Washington Quarters starting in 1952 though there are also more minted in Denver in 1949
- Franklin Half Dollars in 1948, 1950 and 1952 on
When I started collecting coins, 2 key dates will be the 1950-D Jefferson Nickel and the 1970-D Kennedy Half Dollar. Their low mintages are due to them only being in Mint Sets. Even though the 1950-D Jefferson Nickel has a lower mintage, its value will be significantly less than an uncirculated 1939-D Jefferson Nickel.
The Mint building is added to the National Registry of Historical Places in 1972.
You Can Visit This Mint
I visited the Philadelphia Mint in 2017 but haven’t made it to the Denver Mint yet. As far as I know, San Francisco and West Point do not do tours.
Hopefully, if you do get to Denver, you can go to West Colfax Street at Delaware Avenue and visit it. They have 45 minute tours of the facility and of course, a gift shop. I’m sure the rules are the same as the Philadelphia Mint. Don’t plan on taking pictures or bring in food and drinks. Since it’s a Federal building, don’t expect to visit it on Federal Holidays. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop when you’re done.
Do You Collect Coins From Denver?
Years ago, I buy an America the Beautiful Quarters album. Inside this album are holes for each Philadelphia and Denver quarter from 2010 to 2021. As I write this, I have all Philadelphia quarters. However, I am missing some from Denver. One reason for this is location. Living in the northeast, I am closer to Philadelphia. So, even though there are more coins from Denver than Philadelphia, I am seeing more from Philadelphia. If I probably lived in St. Louis or Los Angeles, I bet I will see a lot more Denver coins than I do here.