MINTS
\mˈɪnts], \mˈɪnts], \m_ˈɪ_n_t_s]\
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The first U.S. mint was established at Philadelphia for the purpose of national coinage by the Act of Congress of April 2, 1792. The machinery and first metal used were imported. In 1792-93, coppers were coined, in 1794 silver dollars, and in 1795 gold eagles. Steam power was introduced in 1816. In 1835 branch mints were established at New Orleans, at Charlotte, NC., at Dahlonega, GA., in 1852 at San Francisco, in 1864 at Dallas City, OR., and in 1870 at Carson City, NV. Assay offices were established at New York in 1854, at Denver, CO., in 1864, and at Boise City, ID, in 1872. These were considered branches of the Philadelphia mint until 1873, when the coinage act of that year made them separate mints and assay offices. These mints are bureaus of the Treasury Department and are all under the general supervision of the chief officer of that department. The mints at Charlotte and Dahlonega were suspended in 1861, that of New Orleans from 1860 to 1879, that of Dallas in 1875, that of Carson in 1885. In 1652 Massachusetts had established a colonial mint at Boston for the purpose of coining shillings and minor pieces, but this soon became inoperative.
By John Franklin Jameson