Duties & Functions

U.S. Mint

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The United States Mint was created by Congress on April 2, 1792, within the Department of State. The Mint was made an independent agency in 1799, and under the Coinage Act of 1873, became part of the Treasury Department. It was placed under the auspices of the Treasurer of the United States in 1981.

Mint facilities in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point, along with many other locations throughout our history, country strike all of the nation's coinage. The United States' gold bullion reserves are protected by the Mint at the West Point Bullion Depository and the Fort Knox Bullion Depository. The Mint manages extensive commercial marketing programs. The product line includes special coin sets for collectors, national medals, American Eagle Gold and Silver Bullion Coins, and commemorative coins marking national events such as the Bicentennial of the Constitution. The Mint's functions include:

• Producing domestic, bullion and foreign coins;
• Manufacturing and selling national commemorative medals;
• Designing, producing, and marketing special coinage;
• Manufacturing and selling proof and uncirculated coin sets and other numismatic items;
• Safeguarding and controlling the movement of bullion;
• Disbursing gold and silver for authorized purposes;
• Distributing coins from the Mints to Federal Reserve Banks.