{"id":15252732,"date":"2026-08-12T18:21:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T22:21:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/the-u-s-dollar-and-other-coins-got-their-start-right-here-in-philly\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T03:34:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T07:34:20","slug":"the-u-s-dollar-and-other-coins-got-their-start-right-here-in-philly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/the-u-s-dollar-and-other-coins-got-their-start-right-here-in-philly\/","title":{"rendered":"The U.S. dollar and other coins got their start right here in Philly"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/figure>\n

Love Philly? So do we. Let\u2019s be friends. <\/em>Sign up for the Billy Penn newsletter today<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Philly has always been a site for commerce, financial growth and business \u2013 but it\u2019s also where American currency was born. <\/p>\n

The first U.S. Mint was established in Philly in 1792, over a decade after the nation was founded. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Founding Fathers debated for quite a long time,\u201d said Eliza Rasmussen, a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Mint. \u201cThey thought, \u2018Actually, should we have a Mint? Do we need our own coins? We\u2019ve been using all these European coins for decades.\u201d <\/p>\n

Before the Mint was founded, colonial-era Americans paid for things<\/a> with foreign currency or via trade, using livestock or produce. But the Coinage Act<\/a> in 1792 changed this. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe [founding fathers] finally decided, on April 2nd, 1792, that \u2018yes, we need our own Mint because to be a sovereign country, we need our own coins. We’ve got to be able to control our own money.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n

Congress designated Philadelphia as the location \u2013 as it was the nation\u2019s capital at the time. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen they ended up moving the capital down to Washington D.C., they looked into moving the Mint, but we have so much equipment to make coins and such skilled labor that is also needed, and it was just so expensive to move all of our equipment and move all of the people down to D.C. that they were like, \u2018It’s not worth it. It will stay in Philadelphia,\u2019\u201d Rasmussen said. <\/p>\n

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The U.S. Mint at Chestnut & Juniper streets in 1933. (Library of Congress)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Evolving over time <\/h2>\n

As soon as the Mint was established<\/a> in 1792, coin production began. This included various denominations of cents, dimes and dollar coins. They also produced currency that isn\u2019t around today, such as the quarter eagle ($2.50), half eagle ($5) and eagle ($10). <\/p>\n

Rasmussen said the Mint has been at four different locations around the city over the years. <\/p>\n

\u201cEvery coin [has been] a chance to  mint for people to experience, looking in their pockets,\u201d said Rasmussen. \u201cThe world’s most expensive coin came from the Philadelphia Mint as well.\u201d <\/p>\n

Two gold rushes in the early 1800s \u2013 in North Carolina and Georgia, respectively \u2013 began to push Philly\u2019s Mint to its limits. This led Congress to authorize branch mints<\/a> in Charlotte, NC, Dahlonega, GA and New Orleans, LA. <\/p>\n

Over the years, several other mints opened and closed \u2013 but four active, coin-producing mints remain today<\/a>: in Denver, San Francisco, and West Point, New York. <\/p>\n

Rasmussen said having mints with proper equipment and production capabilities is important. <\/p>\n

\u201cYour coin is like a mini piece of artwork that you have in your pocket that represents our country and our nation and our beliefs,\u201d she said. \u201cSo we want to make sure that it’s always protected.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sean Martorana is the artist who designed the 52 Weeks of Firsts sculpture celebrating the first U.S. Mint. He said his design embodies some of these American values and beliefs. <\/p>\n

\u201cLooking at the symbolism of coin and currency, we have a laurel wreath on here,  we have a flame, we have a torch,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

The first U.S. Mint will be the subject of this weekend\u2019s Philly \u2018firstival,\u2019<\/a> where Martorana\u2019s sculpture will be on display, visitors can take tours of the facility, and family-friendly activities will be on hand. <\/p>\n

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Eliza Rasmussen, a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Mint and Sean Martorana, the artist behind the Firstival sculpture pose in front of this week’s Firstival statue (Violet Comber-Wilen\/Billy Penn)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe’re also going to have a coin column that is full of coins, and everyone is allowed to guess how many coins are in there. The winner will get a really special, incredible prize,\u201d Rasmussen said. \u201cWe’ll also have an activity booklet for everybody to complete, and we will have coloring pages for kids and everything along those lines, and many more activities.\u201d <\/p>\n

It will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mint at 151 N. Independence Mall East. <\/p>\n

Below is more info on all of this year\u2019s Firstivals \u2013 including where you can find this upcoming Saturday\u2019s Firstival dates and location. <\/p>\n

Completed<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Week 1:  Successful balloon flight in America (1793)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 2: The Mummers parade, the nation\u2019s first folk parade (1901)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 3: Volunteer fire company (1736)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 4: Professional basketball league (1898)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 5: Public Girl Scout cookie sale (1932)<\/p>\n

<\/a>Week 6: African Methodist Episcopal congregation (1794)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 7: Abolitionist society in America<\/a> (1775)<\/p>\n

Week 8: Authentic Chinese gate built in America<\/a> (1984)<\/p>\n

Week 9: Public protest against slavery in America<\/a> (1688)<\/p>\n

Week 10: Flower Show<\/a> (1829)<\/p>\n

Week 11: Women’s medical college<\/a> (1850)<\/p>\n

Week 12: Matchbook<\/a> (1892)<\/p>\n

Week 13: Medical school <\/a>(1765)<\/p>\n

Week 14: Stadium <\/a>(1895)<\/p>\n

Week 15: Circus performance <\/a>(1793) <\/p>\n

Week 16: Botanical garden<\/a> (1728)<\/p>\n

Week 17: Postmaster<\/a> (1737)<\/p>\n

Week 18: American-made piano and sousaphone <\/a>(1775 and 1893) <\/p>\n

Week 19: Mother\u2019s Day<\/a> (1908) <\/p>\n

Week 20: Hospital in America <\/a>(1751)<\/p>\n

Week 21: World\u2019s Fair on American soil<\/a> (1876) <\/p>\n

Week 22: Steamboat for passengers and freight<\/a> (1787)<\/p>\n

Week 23: American flag<\/a> (1777)<\/p>\n

Week 24: U.S. Army<\/a> (1775)<\/p>\n

Week 25: Annual Reminder demonstration<\/a> (1965)
Week 26: Paper maker in America<\/a> (1690)<\/p>\n

Week 27: Bank of the United States<\/a> (1791)
Week 28: Organized baseball team<\/a> (1831)<\/p>\n

Week 29: Ice cream soda<\/a> (Oct. 1874) <\/p>\n

Week 30: American art school <\/a>(1805) <\/p>\n

Week 31: Scientific Society of Natural History<\/a> (1812)<\/p>\n

Week 31: Zoo in America<\/a> (1874)<\/p>\n

Upcoming<\/h2>\n

\u2022 U.S. Mint (1793)
Aug. 15, U.S. Mint, 151 N. Independence Mall East <\/p>\n

\u2022 Selfie (1839)
Aug. 22, Franklin Square, 6th & Race Streets <\/p>\n

\u2022 Slinky (1943)
Aug. 29, American Philosophical Society, 104 South 5th Street <\/p>\n

\u2022 Signing of the Constitution (1787)
Sept. 5, National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Continental Congress (1774)
Sept. 12 at Carpenters\u2019 Hall, 320 Chestnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Naming of the United States (1776)
Sept. 19, Independence Hall<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ronald McDonald House (1974)
Sept. 26, Ronald McDonald House, 3925 Chestnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Penitentiary in America (1829)
Oct. 3, Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The First Peoples
Oct. 10, Penn Museum, 3260 South St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps (1775)
Oct. 17, Arch Street Meeting House, 320 Arch St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Public showing of a motion picture (1870)
Oct. 24, Philadelphia Film Society, 1412 Chestnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Modern detective story written (1841)
Oct. 31, Edgar Allan Poe House, 532 N. 7th St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Thanksgiving Day parade in America (1920)
Nov. 7, Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall East <\/p>\n

\u2022 University in America (1740)
Nov. 14, Houston Hall, The University of Pennsylvania, 3417 Spruce St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Children\u2019s hospital in America (1855)
Nov. 21, Children\u2019s Hospital of Philadelphia, Main Building, 3401 Civic Center Blvd.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Pencil with an attached eraser (1858)
Nov. 28, National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Weather bureau (1870)
Dec. 5, The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Electronic computer (1945)
Dec. 12, The University of Pennsylvania, 3451 Walnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Public lending library in America (1731)
Dec. 19, The Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Philly food firsts: Cheesesteaks (1930s), water ice (1932) and bubble gum (1928)
Dec. 26, Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch St.<\/p>\n

The post The U.S. dollar and other coins got their start right here in Philly<\/a> appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Source: News \u2013 World \u2013 Philadephia \u2013 rss.app2 \u2192 manual entry<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Love Philly? So do we. Let\u2019s be friends. Sign up for the Billy Penn newsletter today. Philly has always been a site for commerce, financial growth and business \u2013 but […]
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