309 E. Beaver Ave.

Apartment 06
State College, PA 16801

June 1, 2010

Jeanette Novakovich
256 Burrows Building
University Park, PA 16802

Dear Jeanette Novakovich,

Subject: Proposal to write an article on the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia for the PA Center for the Book

Philadelphia in the late 1700’s was our nation’s capital and the center of the political activities that laid
the ground work and structure for the United States we live in today. After the ratification of the
Constitution, the founding fathers recognized the need to regulate commerce with a national currency
and they established the first U.S. Mint in Philadelphia through the Coinage Act of 1792 to serve this
purpose. Since then, the Mint has played a critical role in the development of our economy and it
continues to serve as a world leader in the design and production of coins.

Credentials

The rich history of the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia will be the focus of my article. In order to write about
the Mint, one must be able to capture this history through extensive research and present it in a way
that is interesting, informative, and enjoyable for the reader.

As a senior in mechanical engineering, I believe that I am well qualified to write this article. I have
completed many projects for my major that have required substantial research related to existing
patents, benchmarking, processing, materials, physical laws, and costs. While these topics are not all
directly applicable to the topic at hand, I have learned through my experience the need to be thorough
and to examine all aspects surrounding a product or problem in order to provide a complete analysis. In
a typical engineering design scenario, an incomplete analysis can directly lead to total failure, and I
recognize a similar situation in seeking publication of an article based on research.

Additionally, in these projects, I frequently must examine a topic from a marketing perspective. I
evaluate customer needs, how well the needs are satisfied by my solution, and use this information to
present highly technical information in a way that is exciting, attractive, and easy to understand for the
customer. I believe this experience will allow my writing to overcome some of drab that is sometimes
associated with largely historical works.

Research

I have encountered a variety of sources that contribute to a comprehensive picture of the U.S. Mint at
Philadelphia. I was fortunate enough to locate an evaluation of historical records for the national
archives that directed my research towards several books that describe the establishment and early
history of the Mint in great detail. I have located multiple sources that follow the history of the Mint
from its establishment in 1792 to the present day, and while the sources contain some redundant
history, each offers some original information to add to my article.

Using the general history of the Mint as a starting point, I was able to research a few subtopics that will
add a unique flavor to my article. I located a press release describing the unveiling of the famed Tiffany
glass mosaics that are on display at the Mint. I encountered several news articles describing a recent
controversy regarding double eagle gold coins that were stolen from the Mint. An interesting book
examines the Mint from an economic standpoint and describes it as the birthplace of the financial
market in the United States. I located a few sources that focus on early coin manufacturing processes
and production rates throughout the years. I believe that related topics, such as the ones mentioned
here, will make my article more interesting and effective in describing the Mint and reaching my
audience.

Technical Description

The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, the first mint in the United States, was established in 1792 to produce
coinage as national currency as a means of commerce and trade, and it is now the largest mint in the
world.

The U.S. Mint was established as a result of the Coinage or Mint Act of 1792, pioneered by first
Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, and based on years of the thoughts and works of many
well-known political leaders such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Robert Morris, Benjamin
Franklin, and John Adams. The Coinage Act put into effect the federal government’s power, issued by
Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, to coin money and regulate its value. The Act called for
coins to be produced in denomination of golden eagles ($10), silver dollars and dimes, and copper cents.
Additionally half eagles, quarter eagles, half dollars, quarter dollars, half dimes, and half cents were
authorized. Philadelphia, the nation’s capital at this time, was chosen to be the home of the first U.S.
Mint for the purpose of producing and distributing the national coinage, and the success of the
monetary system and commerce in the United States hinged on the Mint’s ability to complete these
tasks.

The first building to be constructed by the

federal government under the Constitution
and the former tallest building in
Philadelphia, known as “Ye Olde Mint”,
was the first location of the Mint (Figure 1).
The first coins to be produced were half-
dimes in 1793 from silver that is widely
believed to have been donated by George
and Martha Washington because they
believed in the importance of the Mint’s
success to the development of the young
country. In this facility, coins were
manufactured from furnace heated metal
Figure 1. Painting of “Ye Olde Mint” depicted in 1817
sheets via horse driven mill and a hole
punch, roller, and screw press that were operated by hand. Production was low due to slow and
laborious processes and a staff of only 37 as of October, 1795. The first coins to be put into circulation
were 11,178 copper cents and half cents in March, 1793 (Figure 2).

Figure 2. First Coins Released into Circulation in 1793

As circulation of coinage increased in the early 1800’s, the U.S. Mint at

Philadelphia relocated to a larger facility in 1833. Sometimes referred to
as a “Grecian Temple”, this marble building was known for its classical
architecture, and it provided adequate space to produce the required
coinage. In 1836, the coin manufacturing equipment at this location was
upgraded using new inventions and ideas that defined the Industrial
Revolution. The most substantial technological improvements were the
implementation of a steam engine to replace horse driven equipment and
a steam press (Figure 3) to replace the manual screw presses, allowing
coin production to be increased to about 100 coins per minute. In 1835,
Congress authorized the establishment of additional mint branches to
assist with future coin production. The Bureau of the Mint, now called
the United States Mint, was created in 1873 as part of the Department of
the Treasury to control all mint branches, and through this, the Mint at Figure 3. First Steam Press Used in
Philadelphia was given several specialized functions. In addition to Philadelphia Mint in 1836
producing and distributing coinage, the Mint was solely responsible for
engraving all dies used to produce coinage at any mint, manufacturing apparatus and supplies for all
mints, collecting specimen coins, and making medals. As of 2010, the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia is still
responsible for designing and engraving all coinage dies and minting medals.

Due to rapidly expanding activity, the Philadelphia Mint was once again moved into a larger facility in
1901. The new $2,000,000 marble building, while similar in style to the second facility, was much more
impressive than its predecessors (Figure 5). As an artistic highlight, Louis Tiffany was commissioned to
design seven glass mosaics for the building’s lobby at a cost of
$40,000. The mosaics, inspired by a wall painting discovered in the
1895 excavation of Pompeii, illustrate the ancient Roman coin
making processes: melting, granulating, annealing, weighing,
stamping and finishing. These priceless works of art are now a
common tourist attraction on display in the current Mint. The Mint
is also known for a recent controversy regarding several precious
coins taken from this particular facility. In 1933, the Mint produced
445,500 golden double eagle coins (Figure 4), widely considered to
be the most beautiful coins ever minted, that were never circulated
and to be melted into bars and placed in reserve. A few of the coins
were not melted, and were discovered and seized by the government

Figure 4. 1933 Golden Double Eagle

decades later. However, due to a legal suit, one individual was permitted to sell his double eagle under
the condition that he split the profits with the Mint. The 1933 golden double eagle was sold at an
auction in 2002 for $7.59 million, making it the most valuable coin in U.S. history. The third Mint facility
remained active until 1969, and the building is now home to the Community College of Philadelphia.

Figure 5. The Third Mint Facility in Philadelphia (1901-1969)

Today the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia is located on Independence Hall in a 500,000 square foot facility
making it the largest of its kind in the world (Figure 6). It is one of two active mints in the U.S., the other
being in Denver, Colorado, and it is known for highly efficient automated production of coins, totaling
over 1.7 billion circulating coins in 2009. The drastic technological improvement is evident in a recent
statistic claiming today’s manufacturing equipment is able to produce the total amount of coins minted
from 1792 to 1800 in about 20 minutes. Aside from the capacity to meet the demand for coins, the
Mint also takes pride in the artistic development of commemorative coins to recognize significant
people, places, and events in America’s history. In the past decade, the Mint has been honored for its
safety and security standards, and several of the roughly 600 employees have received Excellence in
Government awards given by the Federal Executive Board.

Figure 6. The Fourth and Current Mint Facility in Philadelphia (1969-Present)

Conclusion

The U.S. Mint at Philadelphia has been a part of our national heritage since it was conceptualized and
established as necessary governmental institution by the most influential men in the history of the
United States. It allowed for the economic development that defines our country as a world leader
today. The legacy of the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia is present in the design of every national coin used as
legal tender in the United States since 1792, and every coin marked with the a “P” acknowledges its
birthplace in Philadelphia. In addition, the Mint is dedicated to promoting cultural awareness of other
significant constituents of our national heritage through recognition on the coins used by Americans
every day. The Mint’s contribution to the heritage and history of Pennsylvania was cemented when the
decision was made to keep the Mint in Philadelphia rather than moving to Washington, D.C. with our
nation’s capital. In conclusion, I believe this topic has a great deal to add to the heritage of
Pennsylvania, not only as significant historical establishment that has been active for over two centuries,
but also as a reminder of the critical role Pennsylvania played in the development of the United States.
For these reasons, I formally request your permission to write an article on the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia
for the PA Center for the Book.

Sincerely,

Michael Thompson
Annotated Bibliography

1933 Gold Double Eagle. Digital image. Coin Collecting (and Other Numismatic Interest). A.C. Dwyer, 8

Dec. 2006. Web. 1 June 2010. <http://thenumismatist-

coincollector.blogspot.com/2006/12/1933-20-gold-double-eagle-controversy.html>.

• The source is the blog of a coin collector. Only the digital image that can be verified by
inspection was taken from this source.
• The image is of the 1933 gold double eagle, which has been involved in recent controversy with
the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia

"A Rising Spirit of Nationalism: The Industrial Revolution Advances the Art of Coin Making." U.S. Coin

Values Advisor. U.S. Coin Values Advisor. Web. 01 June 2010. <http://www.us-coin-values-

advisor.com/a-rising-spirit-of-nationalism.html#Industrial_Revolution>.

• The source is not as professional as other, but much of the information seems reliable in cross
referencing between sources. The source also provides several sources that appear to be of
good quality.
• The information from this source is related to the impacts of the Industrial Revolution on coin
production.
• This source provides some useful information in understanding how the entire production
process was changed through technological improvements

"About the United States Mint." The United States Mint. U.S. Department of the Treasury. Web. 24 May

2010. < http://usmint.gov/about_the_mint/?action=mint_facilities>.

• The source is the official website for the U.S. Mint.

• The scope of this section of the website is general history and function of each mint.
• Some of the facts listed by this source are relevant and will be discussed in the article.
Information confirms the function of the Philadelphia Mint as noted from an older source.

Bolles, Albert S. The Financial History of the United States from 1789 to 1860. 2nd ed. New York: D.

Appleton and Company, 1885. Print.

• This source was recommended by another reliable source for its accuracy and detail.
• The scope of book is a complete financial history of the U.S. from 1789-1860.
• This book provides great detail on the early workings and goals of the Mint
"Coin Production" Modern Marvels. The History Channel. History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010.

Web. 1 June 2010. <http://www.history.com/videos/coin-production>.

• The source is the History Channel website which is known for accurate information
• The video demonstrated how coins were produced when the Mint was first established and how
the manufacturing process has changed in today’s facilities.
• The video offers great insight into coinage production that will be valuable in the describing the
methods used at each individual facility.

Ditzen, L. Stuart. "Double Eagles Took Wing in '30s.; A Jewler, the Mint, and the Gold That Got Away."

The Philadelphia Inquirer 25 Aug. 2005, City-D Edition ed., National sec.: A01. LexisNexis

Academic. Web. 24 May 2010.

• The source is a well-respected newspaper.

• The article discuss the controversy regarding missing “double eagle” coins that were taken from
the Philadelphia Mint.
• These coins are of the most valuable created in Philadelphia and have been the topic of recent
news stories about the Mint.

Duncombe, Ted. "U.S. Mint Celebrates 200th Anniversary." The Associated Press 3 Apr. 1992, PM ed.,

Domestic sec. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 23 May 2010.

• This source is highly reputable in the news community.

• The article briefly discusses the progression of the Philadelphia Mint from its establishment to
its 200th anniversary in 1992.
• While some of the historical information is general and redundant, this article gives an excellent
picture of coin production throughout the first 200 years including quantities, manufacturing
time, and technological improvements.

"Historian's Corner: Roles in History." The United States Mint. U.S. Department of Treasury. Web. 23

May 2010. <http://www.usmint.gov/historianscorner/index.cfm?action=Roles>.

• Although the website does not cite the date of last update or a specific author, the source is the
government published official website for the U.S. Mints and the information here is considered
to be accurate.
 • The scope of the information includes the history of coins, past and present mints, and the
discussion of significant roles that either the coins or mints have played in national and
international history.
• This source has some interesting information on the growth and expansion of the Philadelphia
Mint including the movement between facilities.

Homren, Wayne, ed. "Three Versions of Dunsmore's First Coinage Painting." The E-Sylum 10 (14 Jan.

2007). The Numismatic Bibliomania Society. The Numismatic Bibliomania Society. Web. 1 June

2010. <http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n02a12.html>.

• The source is an electronic newsletter for a nonprofit organization of coin and currency
collectors
• The scope is a discussion of a painting by J.W. Dunsmore portraying several early leaders
examining the first coinage.
• This painting is frequently mentioned relating to the Mint at Philadelphia, and this article reveals
some major details about the painting, such as the figures that have been identified.

"Mint Act." Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2000. 642. Gale Virtual

Reference Library. Web. 24 May 2010.

• The source is of good quality, but only covers topics briefly due to its nature (encyclopedia).
• This content of this source is a summary of the Mint or Coinage Act of 1792.
• The Mint Act called for the establishment of the Philadelphia Mint.

Philadelphia Mint Mosaic Sample from Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington, United Kingdom. Digital

image. Hyndburn. Hyndburn Borough Council. Web. 23 May 2010.

<http://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=34&pageNum

ber=10>.

• This source is a government run source of information for Hyndburn Borough

• The website is contains a wide range of information about Hyndburn. The image was taken
from a section about the features of the Haworth Art Gallery.
• This image of a sample of the Tiffany glass mosaics from the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia will
demonstrate some of the artistic heritage surrounding the Mint.
Strauss, Robert. "U.S. Mint Honored For Safety Upgrades." The Washington Post [Philadelphia] 7 June

2005, Final ed., A21 sec. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 22 May 2010.

• The source is highly professional and reliable.

• The article celebrates the re-opening of the Philadelphia Mint after a temporary shutdown for
safety improvements.
• Some interesting historical information is provided, but the article mostly contributes
information about the state of the mint today in a way that stresses its significance to the
surrounding community.

The Department of the Treasury. Bureau of the Mint. Mint to Unveil Historic Tiffany Glass Mosaics. The

United States Mint. U.S. Department of the Treasury, 24 May 1971. Web. 24 May 2010.

<http://www.usmint.gov/historianscorner/index.cfm?action=DocDetail&id=226>.

• The quality of the source is excellent because it is a scanned copy of the original press release
issued in 1971.
• The content of this source describes Tiffany and the glass mosaics.
• These famed mosaics at the Philadelphia Mint add a bit of artistic heritage that will help to
portray the mint as more than simply a government institution.

The first coins released into circulation, the “Chain” cent. Digital image. U.S. Coin Values Advisor. U.S.

Coin Values Advisor. Web. 2 June 2010. <http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/images/Large-

Cent-1793.jpg>.

• This image is from a good quality source.

• The image is of the first coins released into circulation by the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia in 1793.

The first steam powered coining press employed at the Mint. Digital image. U.S. Coin Values Advisor.

U.S. Coin Values Advisor. Web. 2 June 2010. <http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/images/steam-

powered-press.jpg>.

• The image is from a good quality source

• The image is an illustration of the first steam powered coining press employed at the

Philadelphia Mint in 1836

U.S. Mint, Philadelphia, Pa. c1905. Photograph. Detroit Publishing Company Photograph Collection.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. Library of Congress. Web.

23 May 2010. <http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994010737/PP>.

• The source is good quality from the Library of Congress

• Photograph of the third mint building occupied in Philadelphia

"U.S. Mint Strikes Benjamin Franklin Commemorative Coins." US Fed News [Philadelphia] 19 Dec. 2005.

LexisNexis Academic. Web. 24 May 2010.

• Source is a government newswire.

• This article discusses Franklin’s contributions and the coins that were minted in his honor.
• Franklin’s role in the creation of the Mint at Philadelphia and the development of the
surrounding area.

"U.S. Mint at Philadelphia Earns Excellence in Government Awards." US Fed News [Washington] 12 May

2004. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 24 May 2010.

• The source is a government newswire.

• This article discuss the Mint’s recent accolades.
• These awards describe what the Mint is known for today besides its interesting history.

United States. Bureau of the Mint. Touring the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia : Its History and Coinage.

Philadelphia, Pa.: Mint, 1987. Print.

• Good source from the Bureau of the Mint

• The source describes the current facility and provides a history of the Mint
• This source presents a good deal of detail that other historical accounts are lacking.

"United States Mint." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association. Web. 24 May 2010.

<http://www.ushistory.org/tour/usmint.htm>.

• The source is professional and they claim ownership of all written information which instills
confidence that the information is accurate and original.
• The source provides a general history of the Philadelphia Mint.
 • This source provides interested background to several aspects of the mint that are only touched
on briefly by other sources. The source also describes the current building for the Philadelphia
Mint as if you were walking through it. This in a way captures the essence of the building which
is important in writing about a building I have not been in.

United States Mint, Philadelphia, Pa. c1900. Photograph. Detroit Publishing Company Photograph

Collection. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. Library of

Congress. Web. 23 May 2010. <http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994014282/PP>.

• The source is good quality from the Library of Congress

• Photograph of the second building occupied by the Mint in Philadelphia

Washington inspecting the first money coined by the United States. c1915. Photograph. Library of

Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. Library of Congress. Web. 23 May

2010. <http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2002697722>.

• Reproduction of an original painting by J. W. Dunsmore depicting several historical figures

examining the first coins created at the Mint provided by the Library of Congress

Watson, Jesse P. The Bureau of the Mint: Its History, Acitivities, and Organization. Baltimore, MD: John

Hopkins, 1926. Print.

• This book was recommended by another source for its historical accuracy.
• The content of this book is related to the beginnings and operations of the Bureau of the Mint.
• The information is useful in describing how and why the Mint was created and its early
operations. Very comprehensive and detailed information.

Whitehead, James L. "The Survey of Federal Archive in Philadelphia: With Particular Emphasis on the

Records of the Mint and the District Court." The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and

Biography. Vol. 62. No. 2. Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1938. 162-74. JSTOR. Web. 22 May

2010.

• The source is older than most, but has excellent details about the origin.
• The content is related to an evaluation of records for the national archives.
 • In discussing the quality of the records, the author provides many details on the origins and
early works of the mint. Some of the more specific details include quotations of
correspondence between individuals responsible for development of the mint. This source will
add a level of detail to the article that will be interesting and unique.

Wright, Robert E. The First Wall Street: Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, and the Birth of American Finance.

Chicago: University of Chicago, 2005. 44-58. Print.

• This book is reliable and professional.

• Focuses on the economic and financial status of the country before and after the mint was
developed, and discusses the following impacts.
• The information given by this source is original and will provide a new aspect to a discussion of
the Mint.

Ye Olde Mint. Digital image. U.S. Coin Values Advisor. U.S. Coin Values Advisor. Web. 24 May 2010. <

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/images/First-Mint-Philadelphia.jpg>

• The source appears to be of good quality and it posts sources for provided information
• 1920 painting of “Ye Olde Mint”, the first Mint facility, as it looked in 1817 by Edwin Lamazure.