Mints were once major tourist attractions 1 1

[RWB]

The US Mints were among the most popular tourist attractions in Philadelphia and San Francisco. They were not only similar to many factories, but they held unimaginable wealth that people could see being handled as if it were blocks of scrap metal.

The 1880s were an especially rich period for newspaper articles about the mints and for photos of operations. Although most photos were awful - poor lighting, blurring, lens flare, limited dynamic range, posed rather than candid - publications had prints made, and illustrators then copied and "improved" them into the engravings commonly seen in publications of the time. (Compare Johnston's photo originals to illustrations made from them.)

George G. Evans was able to gain a virtual concession at the Philadelphia Mint. His book on the mint was sold to visitors on-site just as were proof sets, dime-size Lord's Prayer tokens and other souvenirs. Except for proof sets and Mint medals, the "Conductors" split the profits on books and tokens. This resulted in some overly aggressive selling, and letters of complaint. Here's an example from May 26, 1885.


Complaint has been made that a guide who conducts visitors through the Mint Building presents a medal made for the Louisville Exposition which he claims to be gold and gives to visitors, but to those only who purchase a book [Evans'] which he offers for sale.

As the Conductors are paid for their services they ought not to annoy visitors by importuning them to buy articles in their possession they may have for sale; and if on inquiry you find any cause for the complaint, please take such action to prevent it as you deem for the interests and reputation of the service.

It is not widely known among coin collectors, but the San Francisco Mint had a nice cabinet of locally produced coins and private gold pieces, plus a full set of U.S. Mint medals on display along with ore samples from western states. Records, if they still exist, are at NARA San Bruno.

Here's a letter about the number of visitors for FY 1896 at Philadelphia:

Philadelphia
June 30, 1896
The number of persons from all parts of the United States, and in fact the World, who
have visited, and have been escorted through the Mint, and witnessed the coining of money, and
the other work done under your supervision, during the Fiscal year, ending 30th June were One
hundred and five thousand, three hundred and eighty four, 105,384.

Edited April 3, 2022 by RWB

[Coinbuf]

Prior to covid my wife and I took the tour of the Denver mint while we were there visiting our daughter.   It was a fun experience and I learned a few things and saw some of the old equipment that the mint has on display.

[GoldFinger1969]

There wasn't much more to do in those days, especially if admittance to the Mint was free.

No movies....no sports....bars off-limits....no plays that were affordable....no video arcades for kids. 

[Woods020]

Have they opened back up tours yet? 

[tj96]

I would only go if they gave out free samples. 

[Coinbuf]

On 3/21/2022 at 8:20 PM, Woods020 said:

Have they opened back up tours yet? 

Last I heard no the mint was not doing tours.

On 3/21/2022 at 8:25 PM, tj96 said:

I would only go if they gave out free samples. 

Yep we each got one blank cent planchet.  

[tj96]

On 3/21/2022 at 11:28 PM, Coinbuf said:

Last I heard no the mint was not doing tours.

Yep we each got one blank cent planchet.  

Did you really?

[Coinbuf]

On 3/21/2022 at 8:30 PM, tj96 said:

Did you really?

Yes really.  

[tj96]

On 3/21/2022 at 11:50 PM, Coinbuf said:

Yes really.  

Years ago, my wife and I went to Hawaii.  We toured the Dole Pineapple plantation and processing facility.  At the end of the tour they had free samples of pineapple and water fountains with pineapple juice!....      All you could drink! 😋

We should have gone to the Mint!

Edited March 22, 2022 by tj96

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

On 3/21/2022 at 11:20 PM, Woods020 said:

Have they opened back up tours yet? 

Philly is not doing tours yet.  I have checked often.

[GoldFinger1969]

On 3/22/2022 at 12:46 AM, The Neophyte Numismatist said:

Philly is not doing tours yet.  I have checked often.

Just tell them you're a friend of Israel Switt's and you're there to pick up some Double Eagles. 

[VKurtB]

On 3/21/2022 at 11:46 PM, The Neophyte Numismatist said:

Philly is not doing tours yet.  I have checked often.

Neither is Denver. I checked just prior to going to Colorado Springs. San Francisco and West Point never do public tours, only occasional VIP things. 

[Dave1384]

“ Mints were once tourist attractions “.

Yes they were. 
In the 1960s I visited the Philadelphia Mint - I don’t remember who took me - but I do remember looking down at the massive tubs of glittering metal . And gawking. Being a child, that to me was thrilling. 
 

Now ? You risk your life getting down there by foot from the train station. And nobody I know goes into the city, anymore if they can help it. The mint , no doubt, like the rest of the city, is not a welcoming place. I remember going in there later on once , thinking of buying a new issue. Now, I’m not even sure you can do a simple retail buy at the counter. 

[RWB]

Mint HQ in Washington DC has a small retail sales area in the lobby. They also sell BEP souvenir sheets (towels, blankets, etc.).

[VKurtB]

On 4/2/2022 at 9:47 PM, Dave1384 said:

“ Mints were once tourist attractions “.

Yes they were. 
In the 1960s I visited the Philadelphia Mint - I don’t remember who took me - but I do remember looking down at the massive tubs of glittering metal . And gawking. Being a child, that to me was thrilling. 
 

Now ? You risk your life getting down there by foot from the train station. And nobody I know goes into the city, anymore if they can help it. The mint , no doubt, like the rest of the city, is not a welcoming place. I remember going in there later on once , thinking of buying a new issue. Now, I’m not even sure you can do a simple retail buy at the counter. 

When Philly and Denver reopen for tours, their retail sales counters will as well. Having seen both, the Denver one is by far the better one. It’s a real store. Philly really is a slightly overgrown counter. As Roger said, the DC headquarters has one as well. It is the smallest of the three, but has the most knowledgeable staff manning it.