Denver’s early settlers came for the gold. Therefore, it makes sense that the city, to this day, is producing riches, right?
The U.S. Mint in Denver is one of four mints in the country that produces coins, and visitors can get an insider look at what happens in this money-making factory.
The other three coin mints are located in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and West Point, N.Y. The main U.S. Mint in Washington, D.C., is the only one in the country to print paper currency.
First, a little history: The U.S. Mint in Denver began producing pennies, dimes, nickels, and quarters in 1906. The Denver Mint also produced foreign coins for countries such as Argentina, Mexico, and Israel. However, the U.S. Mint has not struck foreign coins since 1984. Every year, the U.S. Mint in Denver produces billions of coins for the American public.
The U.S. Mint in Denver and the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia are the only two mints that offer public tours, which is one of the reasons it’s a popular experience among locals and tourists alike. After the tour in Denver, you can pop into the gift shop and buy unique coins and souvenirs.
Hours and Admission
The U.S. Mint in Denver offers free, 45-minute tours of its production facility from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday.
No cameras, food, backpacks, or weapons are allowed on the tour. Consequently, visitors must pass through security screening to enter the Mint.
The U.S. Mint in Denver is closed on federal holidays. Admission to the U.S. Mint in Denver is free, but reservations are required for the tours.
You can get your free tour tickets at the “Tour Information” window located at the Gift Shop entrance gate on Cherokee Street, between West Colfax Avenue and West 14th Avenue. The Tour Information window opens at 7 a.m., Monday to Thursday (excluding observed federal holidays) and remains open until all tickets have been distributed. Tickets are for same-day tours, and more advanced reservations can’t be made. You’re limited to reserving five tickets. It’s worth noting that during peak travel times, such as Spring Break and Winter Break, tickets become more limited due to high demand. Visitors often arrive as early as 5 a.m. to secure their tickets.
The U.S. Mint offers six tours a day. The times are: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
About the Tour
The free tours are limited to around 50 people per session, and a Mint guide accompanies visitors through the production process. Visitors are not allowed on the production floor, but can view machines through windows overlooking the manufacturing process. Security guards accompany tours at all times. Tours are not recommended for children younger than age seven.
After the tour, visitors can purchase Mint merchandise such as T-shirts and piggy banks at the gift shop currently located in a small trailer. However, no coin sales are conducted at the gift shop besides automated machines that exchange dollar bills for $1 coins. To purchase coin sets, visit the U.S. Mint’s online store.
Directions and Address
The U.S. Mint in Denver is located on West Colfax Avenue near the City & County Building and Denver Police. From I-25, exit on Colfax Avenue and head east toward downtown Denver. The Mint is situated between Delaware Street and Cherokee Street.
The U.S. Mint in Denver
320 W. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80204
Trivia
- Each U.S. Mint strikes a mintmark on its coins. Coin enthusiasts can identify coins produced at the Denver Mint by looking for a ‘D.’
- The U.S. Mint was formed on April 2, 1792, with the Coinage Act of 1792.
- The U.S. Mint in Denver produced the first Congressional Medal.
