West Colfax Avenue and Delaware Street, Denver, CO
Built in 1897
Architect: James Knox Taylor
Governing Body: United States Department of the Treasury
Mint Mark: D
The Denver Mint was established by an Act of Congress on April 21, 1862, beginning business in late 1863 as an Assay Office, or a place to test the purity of precious metals, due to the rich beds of gold in the area, which were discovered in 1858. In 1897, construction on the current building began, and in 1904, assay operations were transferred there. In 1806, coinage operations began, producing 167 million coins in its first year. Today, it is the single largest producer of coins in the world. Free 45-minute tours of the mint are offered.
