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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Organization
{{Infobox NRHP
|OrganizationName=Denver Mint
| name          = Denver Mint
|OrganizationType=Government Corporation
| nocat          = yes
|Mission=The Denver Mint is committed to producing high-quality circulating and commemorative coins for the United States, safeguarding the nation's gold reserves, and providing public education on the history and process of coin production. It aims to support the economy by ensuring an adequate supply of coinage and to maintain the integrity of U.S. currency.
| designated_other1 = Colorado
|OrganizationExecutive=Superintendent
| designated_other1_date =  
|Employees=350
| designated_other1_number = 5DV.164
|Budget=Not publicly specified (Part of U.S. Mint's budget)
| designated_other1_num_position = bottom
|Website=https://www.usmint.gov/about/mint-tours-facilities/denver
|Services=Coin production; Gold and silver storage; Public tours; Numismatic education
|ParentOrganization=United States Mint
|TopOrganization=Department of the Treasury
|CreationLegislation=Act of Congress on April 21, 1862
|HeadquartersLocation=39.739101, -104.994837
|HeadquartersAddress=320 West Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80204
}}
 
The '''Denver Mint''' is a branch of the [[United States Mint]] that struck its first coins on February&nbsp;1, 1906.<ref>[http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=press_release&ID=639 "United States Mint at Denver Celebrates 100 Years of Change"]. The United States Mint. Retrieved Jun 20, 2009.</ref> The mint is still operating and producing coins for circulation, as well as mint sets and commemorative coins. Coins produced at the Denver Mint bear a '''D''' mint mark (as did the Dahlonega Mint, which closed before the Denver branch opened). The Denver Mint is the single largest producer of coins in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Denver US Coin Mint |url=https://www.usacoinbook.com/encyclopedia/coin-mints/denver/ |website=usacoinbook.com |publisher=USA Coin Book |access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref>
 
{{Official URL (simple)|url=https://www.usmint.gov/about/mint-tours-facilities/denver}}
 
==Mission==
 
The mission of the Denver Mint is to manufacture coins to meet the needs of the U.S. economy, to secure and manage gold reserves, and to educate the public about the history of coin production in America. It strives to produce coins that are not only functional but also of high quality and artistic merit.{{Cite web |url=https://www.usmint.gov/about/mint-tours-facilities/denver |title=Denver Mint |publisher=United States Mint |access-date=February 7, 2025}}
 
==Parent organization==
 
The Denver Mint is operated by the United States Mint, which falls under the U.S. Department of the Treasury, ensuring the minting of coins is in line with national financial policy.{{Cite web |url=https://www.usmint.gov/about |title=About the U.S. Mint |publisher=United States Mint |access-date=February 7, 2025}}
 
==Legislation==
 
The Denver Mint was established by an Act of Congress on April 21, 1862, initially as an assay office, later authorized to produce coins.{{Cite web |url=https://www.usmint.gov/about/mint-tours-facilities/denver/history |title=History of the Denver Mint |publisher=United States Mint |access-date=February 7, 2025}}
 
==Partners==
 
* Federal Reserve for the distribution of coins.
* Numismatic organizations for educational outreach.
* Local and federal law enforcement for security.
 
==Number of employees==
 
The Denver Mint employs approximately 350 staff members, including coin press operators, security personnel, and administrative staff.{{Cite web |url=https://www.usmint.gov/about/mint-tours-facilities/denver |title=Denver Mint |publisher=United States Mint |access-date=February 7, 2025}}
 
==Organization structure==
 
The structure of the Denver Mint includes:
 
* Production Division for coin manufacturing.
* Security Division for safeguarding assets and premises.
* Public Affairs Division for managing public tours and education.
 
===Leader===
 
The head of the Denver Mint is called the Superintendent.
 
===Divisions===
 
* Coining Division for the actual production of coins.
* Assay and Refining Division for metal purity and quality control.
* Maintenance and Engineering for facility upkeep.
 
==List of programs==
 
* Coin Production Program for circulation coins.
* Commemorative Coin Program for special editions.
* Public Education and Tour Program.
 
==Last total enacted budget==
 
The budget for the Denver Mint is not separately detailed but is part of the broader U.S. Mint's budget, which was around $3.5 billion for FY 2023.{{Cite web |url=https://www.usmint.gov/about/reports/financial-reports |title=Financial Reports |publisher=United States Mint |access-date=February 7, 2025}}
 
==Staff==


| nrhp_type                      =cp
The staff comprises skilled workers in coin production, security officers, and administrative professionals, all contributing to the mint's operations.
|designated_nrhp_type = February 27, 1974
|partof_refnum =  74002348
|partof=[[Civic Center Historic District (Denver, Colorado)|Civic Center Historic District]]


| image          = Denver mint.jpg
==Funding==
| caption        = The Denver Mint
 
| location      = West Colfax Avenue and Delaware Street, [[Denver]], [[Colorado]]
Funding for the Denver Mint comes from the U.S. Mint's budget, which is self-funded through the seigniorage from coin production, supplemented by Congressional appropriations when necessary.
| coordinates    = {{coord|39|44|23|N|104|59|30.17|W|display=inline,title}}
 
| area          =
==Services provided==
| built          = 1897
 
| architect      = [[James Knox Taylor]]
The Denver Mint produces coins for general circulation, commemorative coins, and stores silver and gold bullion. It also offers guided tours, educational programs on coin history, and maintains the integrity of U.S. currency through quality control.{{Cite web |url=https://www.usmint.gov/about/mint-tours-facilities/denver/visiting-the-denver-mint |title=Visiting the Denver Mint |publisher=United States Mint |access-date=February 7, 2025}}
| architecture  = Late 19th and 20th century revivals
 
| added          = February 1, 1972
==Regulations overseen==
| refnum        = 72000270<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2006a}}</ref>
 
}}
The Denver Mint operates under regulations set by the U.S. Department of the Treasury concerning coin production, quality standards, and security protocols.
 
==Headquarters address==


The '''Denver Mint''' is a branch of the [[United States Mint]] that struck its first coins on February&nbsp;1, 1906.<ref>[http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=press_release&ID=639 "United States Mint at Denver Celebrates 100 Years of Change"]. The United States Mint. Retrieved Jun 20, 2009.</ref> The mint is still operating and producing coins for circulation, as well as [[United States Mint coin sets|mint sets]] and [[commemorative coin]]s. Coins produced at the Denver Mint bear a '''D''' [[mint mark]] (as did the [[Dahlonega Mint]], which closed before the Denver branch opened). The Denver Mint is the single largest producer of coins in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Denver US Coin Mint |url=https://www.usacoinbook.com/encyclopedia/coin-mints/denver/ |website=usacoinbook.com |publisher=USA Coin Book |access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref>
320 West Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80204


==History==
==History==
Founded during the Colorado Gold Rush, the Denver Mint initially operated as an assay office before being authorized to coin money in 1906. It has since grown into one of the largest coin producers in the world, with its historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.{{Cite web |url=https://www.usmint.gov/about/mint-tours-facilities/denver/history |title=History of the Denver Mint |publisher=United States Mint |access-date=February 7, 2025}}


===Clark, Gruber & Co.===
===Clark, Gruber & Co.===
[[File:Clark Gruber Company.jpg|thumb|Clark, Gruber & Company gold coins on display at the [[History Colorado Center]]—a pair of $10 coins at left, and $20 coins at right, also known as [[Eagle (United States coin)|eagles]] and [[double eagle]]s, respectively]]
The predecessors of the Denver Mint were the men of Clark, Gruber and Company. During the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, they coined gold dust brought from the gold fields by the miners. In 1858, Austin M. Clark, Milton E. Clark and Emanuel Henry Gruber founded a brokerage firm in Leavenworth, Kansas, and then established an office in Denver at the beginning of the Colorado Gold Rush. Desiring to save on shipping and insurance costs associated with shipping gold back east, the firm opened a private mint. On July&nbsp;25, 1860, the mint opened in a two-story brick building on the corner of Market and 16th Streets, minting $10 gold pieces at the rate of "fifteen or twenty coins a minute". "On the face is a representation of the peak, its base surrounded by a forest of timber and 'Pikes Peak Gold' encircling the summit.  Immediately under its base is the word 'Denver', and beneath it 'Ten D.'. On the reverse is the American Eagle encircled by the name of the firm 'Clark, Gruber & Co.', and beneath the date, '1860'."<ref name=Voynick>{{Cite book |last=Voynick |first=S. M. |year=1992 |title=Colorado Gold: From the Pike's Peak Rush to the Present |location=Missoula, Mont. |publisher=Mountain Press Publishing Company |isbn=0878424555 |oclc=314614194}}</ref>{{rp|26–27}}


The predecessors of the Denver Mint were the men of Clark, Gruber and Company. During the [[Pikes Peak]] Gold Rush, they coined gold dust brought from the gold fields by the miners. In 1858, Austin M. Clark, Milton E. Clark and Emanuel Henry Gruber founded a brokerage firm in [[Leavenworth, Kansas]], and then established an office in Denver at the beginning of the [[Colorado Gold Rush]]. Desiring to save on shipping and insurance costs associated with shipping gold back east, the firm opened a private mint. On July&nbsp;25, 1860, the mint opened in a two-story brick building on the corner of Market and 16th Streets, minting $10 gold pieces at the rate of "fifteen or twenty coins a minute". "On the face is a representation of the peak, its base surrounded by a forest of timber and 'Pikes Peak Gold' encircling the summit.  Immediately under its base is the word 'Denver', and beneath it 'Ten D.'. On the reverse is the American Eagle encircled by the name of the firm 'Clark, Gruber & Co.', and beneath the date, '1860'."<ref name=Voynick>{{Cite book |last=Voynick |first=S. M. |year=1992 |title=Colorado Gold: From the Pike's Peak Rush to the Present |location=Missoula, Mont. |publisher=Mountain Press Publishing Company |isbn=0878424555 |oclc=314614194}}</ref>{{rp|26–27}}
A $20 gold coin was added, "the weight will be greater, but the value the same as the United States coin of like denomination". A $5 and a $2.5 gold coin were added, with production reaching $18,000 per week. On the front was the "head of the Goddess of Liberty surrounded by thirteen stars, with "Clark & Company" in the tiara.  "Pikes's Peak Gold, Denver" was on the other side, with "5D." or "2 1/2 D."<ref name=Voynick/>{{rp|27}}
 
A $20 gold coin was added, "the weight will be greater, but the value the same as the United States coin of like denomination". A $5 and a $2.5 gold coin were added, with production reaching $18,000 per week. On the front was the "head of the Goddess of Liberty surrounded by thirteen stars, with "Clark & Company" in the [[tiara]].  "Pikes's Peak Gold, Denver" was on the other side, with "5D." or "2 1/2 D."<ref name=Voynick/>{{rp|27}}


In the almost three years of operation, they minted $594,305 worth of Pike's Peak gold in the form of gold coins.  Additionally, they purchased 77,000 troy ounces of raw gold, and shipped "large amounts of dust" to the [[Philadelphia Mint]]. The building, assaying and minting equipment was formally bought by the [[United States Department of the Treasury|US Treasury]] in April 1863. Clark, Gruber & Co. remained a bank until bought by the First National Bank of Denver in 1865.<ref name=Voynick/>{{rp|27}}
In the almost three years of operation, they minted $594,305 worth of Pike's Peak gold in the form of gold coins.  Additionally, they purchased 77,000 troy ounces of raw gold, and shipped "large amounts of dust" to the [[Philadelphia Mint]]. The building, assaying and minting equipment was formally bought by the [[United States Department of the Treasury|US Treasury]] in April 1863. Clark, Gruber & Co. remained a bank until bought by the First National Bank of Denver in 1865.<ref name=Voynick/>{{rp|27}}


===Act of Congress 1862===
===Act of Congress 1862===
[[Image:The U.S. Mint in Denver (1972).jpg|200px|thumb|right|<span style="font-size:100%;">The Denver Mint in a May 1972 photograph</span>]]
Established by an [[Act of Congress]] on April&nbsp;21, 1862, the United States Mint at Denver opened for business in late 1863 as a United States Assay Office. Operations began in the facilities of Clark, Gruber and Company, located at 16th and Market Streets and acquired by the government for $25,000, which it was simply able to print off at the location.


Established by an [[Act of Congress]] on April&nbsp;21, 1862, the United States Mint at Denver opened for business in late 1863 as a United States [[Assay Office]]. Operations began in the facilities of Clark, Gruber and Company, located at 16th and Market Streets and acquired by the government for $25,000, which it was simply able to print off at the location.
Unlike Clark, Gruber and Company, though, the Denver plant performed no coinage of gold as first intended.<ref name=Voynick/>{{rp|77}} One reason given by the Director of the Mint for the lack of coinage at Denver was, "…the hostility of the Indian tribes along the routes, doubtless instigated by rebel emissaries (there being a Civil War) and bad white men."


Unlike Clark, Gruber and Company, though, the [[Denver]] plant performed no coinage of [[gold]] as first intended.<ref name=Voynick/>{{rp|77}} One reason given by the Director of the Mint for the lack of coinage at Denver was, "…the hostility of the Indian tribes along the routes, doubtless instigated by rebel emissaries (there being a [[American Civil War|Civil War]]) and bad white men."
Gold and nuggets brought there by miners from the surrounding area were accepted by the Assay Office for melting, assaying, and stamping of cast gold bars. The bars were then returned to the depositors as imparted bars stamped with the weight and fineness of the gold. Most of the gold came from the rich beds of placer gold found in the streams and first discovered in 1858, the same year Denver was founded.


Gold and nuggets brought there by miners from the surrounding area were accepted by the Assay Office for melting, assaying, and stamping of cast [[gold bar]]s. The bars were then returned to the depositors as imparted bars stamped with the weight and fineness of the gold. Most of the gold came from the rich beds of placer gold found in the streams and first discovered in 1858, the same year [[Denver]] was founded.
When the supply of gold was exhausted from the streams, the emphasis turned to [[lode]] mining, uncovering veins of ore with a high percentage of [[gold]] and [[silver]]. By 1859, the yearly value of the gold and silver deposited at the Assay Office was over $5.6&nbsp;million. During its early years as an Assay Office, the Denver plant was the city's most substantial structure.
 
When the supply of gold was exhausted from the [[streams]], the emphasis turned to [[lode]] mining, uncovering veins of ore with a high percentage of [[gold]] and [[silver]]. By 1859, the yearly value of the gold and silver deposited at the Assay Office was over $5.6&nbsp;million. During its early years as an Assay Office, the Denver plant was the city's most substantial structure.


===Continuing history===
===Continuing history===
Line 80: Line 140:
* [[Silver mining in Colorado]]
* [[Silver mining in Colorado]]
* [[Gold mining in Colorado]]
* [[Gold mining in Colorado]]
==External links==
* [https://www.usmint.gov/about/mint-tours-facilities/denver Official Website]
* [[wikipedia:Denver Mint]]
* [https://www.nps.gov/places/denver-mint.htm National Park Service - Denver Mint]
* [http://www.usmint.gov/ The U.S. Mint]
* [https://competition.usmint.gov/visiting-the-united-states-mint-in-denver-colorado/ Visitors' information at the Denver Mint] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210044703/https://competition.usmint.gov/visiting-the-united-states-mint-in-denver-colorado/ |date=2017-02-10 }}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
* {{Cite web |title=History of the Denver Mint |department=Fact Sheets: Currency & Coins |url=http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/denver-mint.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103104450/http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/denver-mint.shtml |archive-date=January 3, 2007 |publisher=U.S. Treasury Department |access-date=March 17, 2017}}
* {{Cite web |title=History of the Denver Mint |department=Fact Sheets: Currency & Coins |url=http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/denver-mint.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103104450/http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/denver-mint.shtml |archive-date=January 3, 2007 |publisher=U.S. Treasury Department |access-date=March 17, 2017}}
== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.usmint.gov/ The U.S. Mint]
* [https://competition.usmint.gov/visiting-the-united-states-mint-in-denver-colorado/ Visitors' information at the Denver Mint] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210044703/https://competition.usmint.gov/visiting-the-united-states-mint-in-denver-colorado/ |date=2017-02-10 }}


{{US currency and coinage}}
{{US currency and coinage}}
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