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Tours and Facilities

More than 1,600 employees work at six United States Mint facilities:

• Philadelphia, PA  – Production Facility
• San Francisco, CA  – Production Facility
• Denver, CO  – Production Facility
• West Point, NY  – Production Facility
• Fort Knox, KY  – Bullion Depository
• Washington, DC – Headquarters

U.S. Mint Virtual Tours App

Download the virtual tour extension activity (PDF) with bingo cards suitable for multiple age levels.

In-Person Tours

The Mint offers free in-person tours of the Philadelphia and Denver facilities, which cover the present state of coin manufacturing and the history of the Mint. Visitors learn about the craftsmanship required at all stages of the minting process, from the original designs and sculptures to the actual striking of the coins.

Sales Counters: Where to Buy Our Coins

You can buy our coins online 24 hours a day, but genuine Mint products are also sold at several locations around the country:

• Coin store at headquarters in Washington, DC. Current hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Closed federal holidays.
• Gift shop at the facility in Philadelphia, PA
• Gift shop at the facility in Denver, CO

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United States Mint

Where pocket change and commemorative coins are made

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Location & Contact:

• 151 N. Independence Mall East Philadelphia, PA, 19106
• (215) 408-0112
• Visit Website

Even though the U.S. capital moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., in 1800, the manufacture of coins and medals has stayed primarily in Philadelphia for the past two centuries.

Though there are mints in Denver and San Francisco, at least half of the nation’s circulating coins, and most of the commemorative medals, are struck in this building; the trademark “P” on any coin indicates its origin in Philadelphia.

United States Mint visitors get to watch operations on the floor – from high above and behind protective glass, to be sure.

Interactive displays depict the many presidential and honorary commemoratives designed and made here, as well as early mint and coining equipment and rare and historic coins.

The History

At least half of the nation’s circulating coins are struck in this building.

The first U.S. Mint opened in 1792 at 7th and Arch streets, only two blocks from the current facility; it was the first new government structure in the new country.

George Washington, who lived nearby, was said to have donated his own silver to make some of the first coins.

The current building, opened in 1969, is the fourth Philadelphia Mint.

Things to Do

The Mint offers public tours on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. except on federal holidays. Summer hours extend to Saturdays.

With its own displays of rare and interesting coins, the gift shop is an attraction in itself.

Don’t Miss

Before he died, that stuffed bird in the lobby was the mint’s adopted pet; he was allowed to fly among the coins for good luck.

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United States Mint

The first U.S. Mint opened in 1792 at 7th and Arch Street, just two blocks from the current facility. Even though the U.S. capital moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., in 1800, the manufacture of coins and medals stayed primarily in Philadelphia for the past two centuries. 

The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia allows visitors to take free, self-guided tours of the facility, where they can watch the actual coining operations from 40 feet above the factory floor; and see amazing historic artifacts, including the nation's first coining press; the Key to the First Mint; Peter the Mint Eagle, a real Bald Eagle who made the First United States Mint his home; and the actual gold medal presented to General Anthony Wayne for his capture of Stony Point during the Revolutionary War. Please note : Adults will be asked to provide government-issued photo identification for security purposes. All visitors are required to enter through a metal detector. The United States Mint reserves the right to deny access to anyone at any time; in addition, members of the general public wishing to tour the facility may be subject to search by the United States Mint Police. Photography, smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited. 

151 North Independence Mall East Philadelphia , PA 19106 United States

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United States Mint

• Franklin Square • 4 min walk
• 5th St • 5 min walk

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151 N. Independence Mall E. Philadelphia, PA 19106 Phone: 215-408-0110 Region: Philadelphia & The Countryside

Would you like to actually watch money being made? See early coins and learn the story behind our nation's currency? Visit the Philadelphia Mint. Stroll through the visitor's gallery and view the modern coin-making process: huge machines that work 24 hours a day, five days a week. Then see the original coining press used in 1792.

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5 Reasons You Should Take a Tour of the United States Mint

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Chances are, the coins jingling in your pocket or purse were probably made right here in Philadelphia at the United States Mint. Philly has been striking U.S. coinage since 1792, back when the City of Brotherly Love was still the nation’s capital. In those days, the U.S. Mint was housed in a complex of three small buildings situated at 631 Filbert Street, where once there stood a whiskey distillery. Horsepower helped run the presses that stamped out our nation’s early coins.

Today, the original facility commonly referred to as “Ye Olde Mint” is long gone. So, too, are the horse-operated coin presses. The U.S. Mint has moved its Philadelphia headquarters three times since 1833, when Ye Olde Mint struck its last coin. Today, the United States Mint stands as a mammoth-sized, 1969-vintage building at 151 North Independence Mall East, right in the heart of the Historic District and just two blocks from the site of the original U.S. Mint.

Visiting the U.S. Mint is a unique experience. It’s one of only two places in the United States where you can see the manufacture of our nation’s circulating coinage; there is a branch location of the U.S. Mint in Denver, but the other currently operating mint locations in San Francisco and West Point, NY, don’t offer public tours .

Tours at the Philadelphia Mint require no reservation and are self-guided. Much of the tour is a walk through a glass-walled corridor that flies about 40 feet above the coin press room, where most of the money-making action takes place. One of the first things you’ll witness on the tour are large copper and nickel coils measuring 13 inches wide and up to 1,500 feet in length being fed into a machine that cuts out coin-sized circular pieces of metal called blanks. These blanks will soon be processed into a machine that strikes designs on each blank coin, which you’ll see further along the corridor.

What else makes a trip to the U.S. Mint great? Well, if seeing tens of thousands of dollars in shiny, newly minted coins isn’t enough for you, I’ve laid out five reasons why the Mint is worth a visit:

1. It’s So Convenient to Major Heritage Attractions

The U.S. Mint is right across the street from National Constitution Center and roughly two blocks north of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Philadelphia Parking Authority offers an AutoPark garage at 41 6th Street, which is a short walk from the U.S. Mint. You’ll want to allow at least 1 hour to visit the Mint. So, at a minimum, that means you’ll spend $11.50 for 90 minutes of parking at that AutoPark—$16 for two hours. The Market-Frankford subway has a stop at 5th and Market streets, just one block from the Mint. If parking tolls and transit fares are bringing you down, don’t fret, because …

2. Admission to the U.S. Mint is Free!

See, so that’s not bad, right? Even if you shell out the $17 to cover the 10-hour parking fee along Independence Mall, at least you won’t need to pay a dime to get into the U.S. Mint. Remember, there are literally dozens of free things to do right in the heart of Philly, so you might as well build a whole day around your visit to the U.S. Mint. After all, staycations are fun.

3. Watch Money Get Made Right Before Your Very Eyes

The American Indian Head one-cent coin was produced by the United States Mint from 1859 to 1909 at the Philadelphia Mint. | Shutterstock.com

If you’ve ever been on a brewery tour or taken a trip over to Hersheypark to see the chocolate factory (the “real” factory tour closed in 1973, but at least you still get free chocolate at the end), you probably remember the joy of watching your favorite things come to life right before your very eyes. It’s pretty cool to see thousands of brand new coins roll off the presses and march off to circulation. Who knows—you may end up spending some of the very coins you saw get made. There’s just one problem … there are no free samples at the Mint.

• Philadelphia Mint Fun Fact:  Ever wanted to know what coins were made in Philly? Look for a little “P” near the date on nickels, dimes, and quarters made since 1980. That “P” is called a mintmark, and it identifies that coin as a Philadelphia-minted piece. Pennies without a letter under their dates were also made here in Philadelphia. Most, but not all, U.S. coins made before 1980 that don’t have a mintmark were also made in Philadelphia; by the way, a “D” identifies Denver coins, “S” represents coins from San Francisco, and the rarely seen “W” is stamped on West Point coins.

4. Meet Peter the Mint Eagle

Well, sorta … You see, Peter was a bald eagle who lived at the old Philadelphia Mint during the 1830s. He became something of a local celebrity. The Mint’s staff would let him out of the building to fly over the city during the day. Unfortunately, the beloved eagle was injured when the machinery he was perching on suddenly started. Despite attempts to save the ailing bird, he died at the Mint. His body was preserved and is now located inside the current Mint near the entrance. Many of today’s coin designers will still study Peter when they need inspiration for creating coin designs involving the nation’s official bird.

5. The Philadelphia Mint is One of the Largest Coining Facilities in the World

How about that? In fact, until January 2009, the Philadelphia Mint was the largest coining facility in the world. The Philly Mint covers some five acres of land and produces an average of 1 million coins every 30 minutes. Sound like a lot of coins? It was in the old days, that’s for sure—it would have taken the original Philadelphia Mint three years to strike that many coins.

• Philadelphia Mint Fun Fact No. 2:  More than 235 billion pennies have been minted in Philly since the first U.S. Mint facility opened here. Laid end to end, 235 billion pennies would wrap the earth more than 100 times.

Visiting the United States Mint

• Be sure tours are available on the day of your visit to the U.S. Mint. Generally, tour hours are from 9 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The Mint is closed during Federal holidays except for the summer holidays of Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. During summer, the U.S. Mint is also open on Saturdays from 9 am to 4:30 pm, and Sunday during those same hours on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. FYI: If you go on a weekend or holiday, you may not see anybody working the coining machines.
• Remember, the U.S. Mint security will ask all adults to show government-issued identification upon entry. The U.S. Mint is closed to the public during times when the Department of Homeland Security Threat Level is elevated to CODE ORANGE .
• If you or anybody else in your party has special needs, the officials at the U.S. Mint will be glad to assist. Just be sure to let arrival staff know of the special needs or request assistance in ahead of your visit by calling (215) 408-0110.
• While you’re at the Mint, make sure you swing by the David Rittenhouse Room on the mezzanine. That gallery, named for the first director of the United States Mint, is where you’ll find an extraordinary collection of rare and valuable old coins .
• Don’t forget to bring some spending money with you. There’s a unique gift shop where you can buy special-proof coin presentation sets and other interesting items. And, unlike many of those coin sets you see advertised on TV commercials at 3 in the morning, these are honest-to-goodness, made-at-the-U.S.-Mint ones that really do make memorable keepsakes.

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Your Guide to Visiting the United States Mint in Philadelphia

Collecting coins is one of the oldest hobbies in the world. I started collecting pennies as a teenager. My sons started collecting them last year. So when I had a few hours to explore Philadelphia, I made it a point to visit the United States Mint.

The interactive, self-guided tour is perfect for people of all ages. Here’s a little of what you can expect when you visit the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia.

Getting to the US Mint at Independence Mall

The U.S. Mint is located in downtown Philadelphia, across the street from Independence National Historic Park. The U.S. Mint does not provide parking, but there is paid parking below the Independence Mall.

Once parked, come to ground level and head north (away from Independence Hall). The U.S. Mint will be on the east side of the street at the northeast corner of the park.

Visitors are required to go through a screening process and metal detector to enter the U.S. Mint. Adults may also be required to show a government issued ID. Once through security, you can pick up a booklet and begin your self-guided tour.

Sadly, no photography is allowed inside the U.S. Mint for security purposes, which is why this post contains no photos from inside the building.

Learn About the History of Coins

Each floor of the U.S. Mint is full of history. The second floor is where you start the official tour.

There is a little theater with a brief presentation on the early years of discussions about the monetary system the new nation would adopt.

Visitors also get to see the first press used to stamp the coins used in America’s early years (around 1792). There are numerous displays of coins throughout history as well, so you’ll get a good sense of how the coins have changed over time.

The exhibit that impressed me the most was a timeline of U.S. history. Visitors were asked to pull out a coin from their pocket and find the year the coin was minted, then compare it to the timeline. What history has that coin experienced in its lifetime?

The oldest penny I own is an Indian Head penny from 1889. That penny has survived two turns of the century, two world wars, the Great Depression, landing a man on the moon and so much more. Take a look at a coin you have and think about what history that coin has experienced.

See How Coins are Designed and Produced

The third floor of the U.S. Mint is where visitors get to observe the process of coin making. It begins with the art and design process. The tour is interactive with hands-on exhibits that are perfect for kids. I designed my own quarter and included the elements that are required by law to be included on all U.S. coins. Sadly, I wasn’t able to have my one-of-a-kind quarter printed.

After learning about the design and how the metal die is made, you can observe the actual coin-making process through windows 40 feet above the factory floor. Each viewing area has an interactive touch-screen map to help you know what each machine does.

You get to see the coins punched out of sheets of metal, stamped with the coin’s design on both sides, bagged and prepped for distribution. You even learn what happens to coins that have errors and how they are waffled and recycled. It’s cool to learn about each step in the process.

After filling your mind with knowledge, you can empty your wallet in the gift shop. Haha!

Start Your Own Coin Collection

The gift shop is a great place to get started in collecting coins. You can find the books and other resources. The cashiers are also helpful in answering any questions you may have. You can find proof sets, uncirculated sets and even rare coins.

I started collecting U.S. pennies when I was in middle school. I chose pennies because they were the least costly to pull out of my spending account. But you can collect any denomination of coin. But I’ve also collected state quarters, and more recently, the national park quarters.

Follow these simple steps to help you get started with coin collecting:

• Purchase a coin storage folder . You can find them online, or at a local book store or coin collecting shop.
• Look through your own coins to see what slots of you book you can fill in. Know where to look on the coin for where it was minted (S = San Francisco Mint; D = Denver Mint; P or no letter = Philadelphia Mint). You’ll find it next to the year the coin was minted.
• Google your nearest coin shop and pay them a visit. They often have bins of older pennies you can look through to help fill in your book. Once you’ve gone through the bins, you can look at any coins they’ve already pulled out and packaged up. Those are usually the ones that are in nicer condition or less common (meaning they cost a little more). It’s not unheard of to pay several dollars for an older penny.

Looking for another place to visit while in Philadelphia? Check out my gust post on Tips for Family Trips about Valley Forge .

Discover more ideas for your next family vacation.

The Details

Address:  5th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1886

Parking:  There are various parking garages throughout the area, including one below Independence Hall. Parking fees vary by location and are charged by the hour. You can estimate $15-$25 depending on the amount of time you explore the area.

Cost:  Tours of the museum are free and self-guided. But you may want some money for the gift shop.

Hours:  Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the summer they may be open on Saturdays and holidays (call (215) 408-0112 for weekend and holiday hours during the summer).

Website:  https://www.usmint.gov/

Phone:  1-800-USA-MINT (or 1-800-872-6468)

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The nation's first mint in Philadelphia makes circulating coins, commemorative coins as authorized by Congress, and produces the dies for stamping coins and medals. Established in the 18th century, the mint was constructed as part of the Coinage Act, also known as the Mint Act, of 1792. On the US Mint at Philadelphia Tour, groups can see coins being created from 40 feet above the factory floor, meet Peter the Mint Eagle, view seven Favrile glass mosaics by Tiffany & Co., and more. The US Mint at Philadelphia Tour is a fascinating field trip experience for students, scouts, homeschoolers, and campers of all ages and one to remember for a lifetime.

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Hrs: Weekdays 9AM-4:30PM.

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Historic Site Lesson Plan

Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed; Boston’s Old State House, where the Boston Massacre and the American Revolution began; Washington D.C.’s National Mall, where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech; Virginia’s Jamestown settlement, the country’s first colony; Charleston’s Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired; New York’s Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants were introduced to their new home. All of these sites, significant to America’s history, can be visited, toured, and admired. While visiting one of the many historical sites around the country, consider the importance in preserving these sites.

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U.S. Mint Philadelphia Tour: An Inside Look At How Coins Are Made At The Philadelphia Mint

Have you ever wanted to see how coins are made?

If so, then you might want to take a free tour of the United States Mint .

The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia is the main mint location where coins are made .

While Philadelphia is the site of the first official United States Mint , there are a total of 4 operating mint branch locations in the nation.

A visit to the U.S. Mint Philadelphia  means getting to see the process of turning a blank piece of metal into a finished coin ready for circulation.

However, don’t think a trip to the mint means getting any free samples! Souvenirs must be bought at the mint’s gift shop.

Here are some fun facts before you tour the Philadelphia Mint…

Philadelphia Mint Tours

The U.S. Mint Philadelphia tour is a free, self-guided tour of the facility .

It takes you through a walkway with windows that allow you to look at the numerous machines and processes required to make a coin in the U.S.

There are audio and visual aids throughout the tour which explain and illustrate the parts of the minting process as you are viewing them.

My Visit To The Philadelphia Mint

My family and I took a tour of the U.S. Mint Philadelphia when I was a teenager. We had to park our vehicle in a parking garage a couple blocks away. Once we passed security and got into the mint, we walked along the windowed corridors which overlook the minting process.

It was early November and there were very few other tourists at the Philadelphia Mint, which was nice — no waiting! Nor did we have to squeeze between people to catch a glimpse at the action going on inside the mint.

I was particularly interested at how large the operations were. Thousands of coins were being minted every minute!

There was an audio track which explained the stage in the minting process that was occurring wherever we were throughout the self-guided tour. That was nice, because I would not have known what I was looking at, were it not for the audio track . Honestly, all the minting machines at the Philadelphia Mint looked the same to me at the time.

I stopped by the gift shop afterwards. I got to push a button that struck an image onto a piece of bronze medal. The bronze medal cost $2.

For $4, I picked up a souvenir set of coins. This is a set of 6 pieces:

• 1 example of each of the 5 denominations struck for circulation at the Philadelphia Mint that year
• and 1 bronze medal honoring the Philadelphia U.S. Mint facility

Souvenir sets, however, are no longer being made.

Planning Your U.S. Mint Philadelphia Tour

Try to allow a good couple hours for your visit of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. You will need time to pass security inspections, wait in line, take the tour, and then perhaps spend a few coins of your own at the Philadelphia Mint’s gift shop afterward.

Be sure you realize that the security laws may get in the way if you are hoping to take photos of the minting process.

While the security guards didn’t stop me from taking my cameras in with me, no photos are allowed inside the building, hence why there are no photos of the factory floor. Given the tight security at the mint, I would expect that this would be strictly enforced and would definitely not recommend trying to sneak a photo or two. — Source

The U.S. Mint, like most governmental agencies, is going to great lengths to ensure the protection and safety of both, facilities and people. To do this, the U.S. Mint restricts what you may bring along with you on a tour of the facility.

U.S. Mint Philadelphia tour hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The facility is closed on Federal holidays.

The Philadelphia Mint does not offer any parking on its property, but there are several parking lots and parking garages within a walking distance from the U.S. Mint Philadelphia. There are also public transportation services throughout downtown Philly.

Take A Virtual Tour Inside The U.S. Mint Philadelphia

If you can’t get a chance to stop by the Philadelphia Mint, then take a virtual tour of the U.S. Mint Philadelphia  online!

These videos will give you a good idea of what it’s like on a U.S. Mint Philadelphia tour:

Here is the official Handbook To The Self-Guided U.S. Mint Philadelphia Tour.

The Bottom Line

Going to Philadelphia to watch the United States Mint make coins is one of the most fascinating things a coin collector can do.

The U.S. Mint turns out tens of millions of coins a month.

At the lightning-fast speeds of the U.S. Mint machines, it can be dizzying to watch the action as you see thousands of blank pieces of metal turn into legal tender right before your eyes.

If you live in Philly or plan to be anywhere in the area of New Jersey, Delaware, or Pennsylvania for vacation, be sure to take a swing by the United States Mint in Philadelphia.

The tour is free and the experience is something you’ll never forget!

More About The Philadelphia U.S. Mint

• Establishment Of The U.S. Mint Philadelphia
• Historical And Fun Facts About The U.S. Mint
• 5 Reasons To Take A U.S. Mint Philadelphia Tour
• 8 Cool Facts About the Philadelphia Mint

I’m the Coin Editor here at TheFunTimesGuide. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century. I’m a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) and have won multiple awards from the NLG for my work as a coin journalist. I’m also the editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). I’ve contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek. I’ve authored nearly 1,000 articles here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins (many of them with over 50K shares), and I welcome your coin questions in the comments below!

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Public Tour of US Mint at Philadelphia, Photos and Tips

In Colonial Philadelphia, it took coiners three years to strike 1 million coins. Today, the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia can make that many in the time it takes to watch a 30-minute TV show.

How does it happen? You won’t find out sitting around the TV. The best way is to stop by the Philadelphia Mint and take their free tour. Bring your kids or grandchildren. They’ll love seeing all the coins from 40 feet above the factory floor and they’ll remember it forever.

On the downside, you and your kiddos will have to pass through a metal detector to start things off. Don’t forget your government-issued photo ID. Do forget your camera. They’re not allowed for security reasons. On the upside, you can primer your visit with this and more articles to come about the Philadelphia Mint.

We visited the Philadelphia Mint earlier this month for a private tour after similar trips to the San Francisco Mint and West Point Mint . Since we were there, we also went on the public tour. We enjoyed it twice — once like everyone else with the same security restrictions and another time with U.S. Mint officials so we had permission to snap some of the photos you’ve already seen as well as the larger ones below. These photos offer some insights on what you can look forward to when visiting the Mint, with upcoming CoinNews.net articles and photos offering information about what goes on behind the scenes.

Quick Links to Large Tour Photos and Tour Tips

Skip the chatter; take me to the large tour photos . I plan on visiting the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia, take me to the tips .

Newly Renovated Tour

Last year about 220,000 people went on the Philadelphia Mint public tour after it re-opened on July 3, 2012 following a six-month renovation project. The new tour created a hubbub in numismatic circles with visitor reviews overwhelmingly positive.

Reviews this year remain equally strong. To get to that point, the U.S. Mint contracted Quatrefoil Associates and spent $3.9 million to modernize the tour area for the first time since 1969. At a cost of about $250 per sq. foot, they got a bang for their buck. Much of the tour is museum-like, yet museum space often costs $500/sq. foot.

What to Expect on the Philadelphia Mint Public Tour

You can take as long as you like since the tour is self-guided. A thorough visit will consume about 1 1/2 – 2 hours. If you’re a coin collector, plan on the two hours. If you bring younger children and prefer a quicker trip, you could get a good one in about 45 minutes.

Starting with the lobby and moving up to the second-floor mezzanine, the experience has a warm museum feel and is most enjoyed by older children and adults. Here there are exhibits with mixings of coins, medals, plaster models and other artifacts with some dating back to the Mint’s very beginnings.

Descriptions and information about the Philadelphia Mint, its history, and exhibit contents are readily displayed. There’s also the David Rittenhouse Theater, named after the first Director of the United States Mint. Inside a short film traverses time as Founding Fathers discuss the pros and cons of creating American coinage. It ends with the April 2, 1792 passage of Coinage Act which established the U.S. Mint.

Get ready for some walking to view the factory floor. It’s worth it. Kids really take to this section of the tour. We could hear their excited chatter during our visits and watched them work the many interactive displays. While here, there’s no doubt you’re at the largest coin manufacturing facility in the world. The Philadelphia Mint sits on a city block. From 40 feet above, you’ll walk along one side of the plant and then make the return trip from the other side. That’s two blocks of activity.

Throughout this third-floor Gallery, you can look down and see robotic machinery in action. The factory tour is divided into color-coded areas to help identify the coin and medal making process with displays describing everything that’s happening below. Stages include artwork creation, die making, blanking, annealing and upsetting, striking, inspecting and bagging coins. Touchable examples are found along the tour to include plaster models, blanks, master hubs, dies, coins and coin errors. There are also many video and audio touch screen stations that let you dive deeper and watch the coinage process up close.

Let’s take a quick photo tour of some the tour exhibits.

Philadelphia Mint Tour Photos

What Photos are Missing?

Noticeably absent from the photos above are shots from the Gallery looking down to the factory floor. For security reasons, we were not allowed to take photos from these views. They are a highlight of the tour, showing the immensity of the factory and what happens there every day. Though we could not take photos from above, we did take them directly on the factory floor during our private tour. Stay tuned to CoinNews.net for these photos and more articles about the Mint.

If you’re looking to buy some coins or medals produced from the Philadelphia Mint or from the other U.S. Mint facilities, stop at the gift shop.

Located on the main floor in the lobby, exiting the tour takes your right through the gift shop. It’s one of the few places where you can buy a U.S. Mint product and immediately walk out with it in hand.

Tips in Planning Your Philadelphia Mint Tour

More than 4 billion coins have already come out of the Philadelphia Mint this year. The pace is the quickest since before the Great Recession, yet well under the Mint’s capacity. That means the factory floor will be humming with activity on some days but not on others.

We went on two different days and the experience was different for each. As an example, one day we saw how blanks were cut from massively large sheets of metal. It was a highlight. The other day these machines were silent.

Here are a few tips to plan your visit:

Visit the Mint’s tour page for updated tour hours and information. This Mint webpage also has a handy Tour Guide you can download. It’s the same brochure you’ll find at the beginning of the tour.

Remember, all visitors must go through a metal detector so plan accordingly.

Try getting there in the morning. You’ll likely get the chance to see more activity on the factory floor.

There are days that the tour is open on holidays, notably Memorial Day and Labor Day, but the factory floor is shut down. It’s also closed on many Fridays and all Saturdays. The tour is very good without anything happening on the floor, but your kids will enjoy it much more when the Mint is striking coins or medals.

Once inside, there is no photography, no smoking and no eating or drinking.

Finally, within a short distance from the Mint are other sites worth seeing, like:

the Liberty Bell,

Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were debated and signed, and

Benjamin Franklin’s grave.

There’s also the Money in Motion Exhibit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. We had high hopes for this one but were, frankly, disappointed in the experience.

Next Article in Series About the Philadelphia Mint

Stay tuned to CoinNews.net for an in-depth series of photos and articles about the Philadelphia Mint. The first one is scheduled for Friday, September 6. It will discuss coin designs and sculpting. Others will include die making, producing coins and striking bullion and collectible America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Coins.

Share news:

• Public Tour Photos of US Mint at Denver, Colorado
• US Mint Artists at Philadelphia Sculpt Digitally and in Clay
• Public and Private Tours of Philadelphia Mint by CoinNews.net

This has been one of your most informative & pleasant posts in years. Now, if we could just get the Mint up & running on Saturdays AND Sundays, we would definitely increase both productivity and consumer satisfaction in one act. Thank you!

Good one. The quality of most posts is similar to Coin World. I prefer their magazine for reading. No better online than coin news. I read Dave Harper on Numismatic news too. Others gloss over; don’t take time. Love the photos.

Great article. I am reading this from Alaska and you answered why the eagles on coins are different. It is not the design. The eagle on display is different from the northern Pacific eagle. Likely eastern eagles were smaller with more white plumage.

Great web article. Didn’t know they renovated the tour area. Since photography isn’t allowed from the viewing area, I take it they still ban cameras including cell phones? Do they have lockers where you can stow phones/cameras while visiting the mint?

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Visiting the Philadelphia Mint

The United States Mint in Philadelphia offers admission to the building for a self-guided tour only.

151 Independence Mall East Philadelphia, PA 19106

The Mint is on 5th Street between Arch Street and Race Street, right across the street from the National Constitution Center.

SEPTA STOP : Market-Frankford

Parking : There is no parking at the Mint, but there is a 24 hour garage nearby at the Philadelphia Bourse .

Philadelphia Mint Hours:

Monday - Friday: 9am-430pm

Saturday (Memorial Day - Labor Day Only): 9am-430pm

The Mint is open to visitors on Saturday, Sunday and Monday over Memorial and Labor Day Weekends as well as on July 4.

You will have to go through security to enter the Mint. Large bags, weapons, food and drink are not permitted.

Photography is not permitted inside the Philadelphia Mint.

The Philadelphia Mint that you see now is the fourth mint, but the most efficient. The first Mint in the United States was built only 100 years from this building. On your visit to the Philadelphia Mint you will be able to see the first coin pressed used in 1792! The first one million coins minted here took about three years to make, but today it takes only half an hour.

Use the Philadelphia Mint's Self Guided Tour as you visit the building.

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Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry Win Zurich, Plus CJ Cup Byron Nelson Preview

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House and Hubbard start with their recap of the Zurich Classic and Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry’s win before catching up on Scottie Scheffler’s RBC Heritage victory, his fourth win of the season (02:13). Then, in Tour de Farce, they discuss Rory McIlroy’s return to the PGA Tour’s policy board and more (21:54). Finally, they end with their preview and picks for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson (44:09).

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