1853
- January 1
- The New Orleans Mint strikes 1853-dated examples of the $20 gold coin and silver half dollar. (Only three of the half dollar coins are known to have survived.) [193.76]
- February 21
- US Mint Act amendment:
- authorizes minting of $3 gold coins (77.4 grains, 0.900 fine);
- reduces silver content of 5-cent through 50-cent coins;
- reduces weight of half disme from 1.34 to 1.24 grams;
- the maximum legal tender value of US silver coins is set at $5.
[6] [22.140] [36.15] [90.28] [104.62] [177.98] [193.76]
- March 31
- US Senate confirms Thomas Pettit as US Mint Director. [5.52]
- April 26
- The first 1853 Seated Liberty quarter dollars with Arrows and Rays are struck. [24.42] [99.36]
- October
- The New Orleans Mint resumes operations, having closed due to an outbreak of yellow fever. [193.76]
1854
- February 4
- US Senate confirms J. Ross Snowden as Mint Director. [154.70]
- March 16
- First gold coinage dies arrive at San Francisco Mint from the Philadelphia Mint. [94.56]
- April 3
- Mint Director James Ross Snowden proposes that copper coins be reduced in weight. [294.42]
- April 15
- In San Francisco, California, USA, the branch mint strikes the first "S" mint mark coin, a $20 gold piece. [2.22] [9.35] [22.56] [238.40] (April 3 [57.22] [209.112])
- April 19
- An official ceremony is held at the San Francisco Mint to mark initial production of double, half, and quarter eagles. [196.22]
- May 2
- The US government purchases the site in San Francisco, California, for a branch mint. [198.58]
- June 16
- The US Senate approves legislation to create $25, $50, and $100 gold coins at the San Francisco Mint. [30.66]
- December 7
- A fire sweeps across the roof of the Charlotte Branch Mint. [72.107] [156.62]
1856
- July 11
- US Mint Director James Ross Snowden writes Treasury Secretary James Guthrie asking for legislation for small copper-nickel cents. [115.36] [252.38]
1857
- January
- The last large cent is struck. [252.85]
- February 21
- US Mint Act provides for a cent composed of 12 percent nickel and 88 percent copper, weighing 72 grains; also ends the striking of half cents, and removes legal tender status of foreign coins in the United States except Spanish pillar dollar and Mexican dollar. [22.140] [33.58] [52.97] [59.70] [76.22] [78.42] [86.162] [90.28] [180.50] [184.34] [252.85] [265.24]
- April
- The Philadelphia Mint begins striking Flying Eagle cents for circulation. [252.85]
- May 23
- The chief coiner of the Philadelphia Mint delivers the first batch of small cents, 2.8 million pieces. [252.85]
- May 25
- The US Mint releases Flying Eagle cents to circulation, first small cents (0.75-inch diameter). [29.60] [76.22] [77.38] [78.42] [252.10,85]
- (month unknown)
- The San Francisco Mint is found to be short of $152,000 in gold bullion. (In 1891 movers of the house of former coiner John Michael Eckfeldt discover a box containing an estimated $100,000-150,000 in gold ingots and granulations.) [253.32]
- October 20
- Anthony C. Paquet is appointed assistant engraver of the US Mint in Philadelphia. [304.22]
1858
- July 9
- William Elmore begins term as New Orleans Mint superintendent. [40.44]
1859
- June 30
- Mint Director James Ross Snowden exchanges with R. Coulton Davis a Proof 1838 Gobrecht dollar for a 1791 Washington cent for the Mint cabinet. [39.56]
- December 20
- US Mint issues first advertisment announcing availability of Proof coins for collectors. [77.42]
1860
- March 8
- The chief coiner delivers 1000 proof sets and 330 proof silver dollars to the US Treasurer. [209.94]
- December 4
- Gold $20 coin dies by engraver Anthony Paquet are sent to the San Francisco Mint. [304.24]
1861
- January 2
- The Philadelphia begins striking 1861-dated $20 gold coins with Paquet reverse dies. [80.79] (January 1 [304.24])
- January 31
- State of Louisiana takes over US Mint at New Orleans. [6] [119.92]
- February 2
- San Francisco Mint receives order from Philadelphia Mint to cease production of double eagle coins with Paquet reverse. [154.70]
- March 31
- Confederate States' officials take possession of the New Orleans Mint. [6] [119.92] (April 1 [5.52])
- April 8
- Confederate authorities seize Dahlonega Mint. [6] [97.32]
- April 20
- Confederate troops occupy the Charlotte Mint. [99.36] [196.22] (May 21 [34.84])
- May 14
- US President Abraham Lincoln appoints James Pollock as Mint Director. [200.46]
- May 31
- The Charlotte Mint makes its final coinage, 887 1861-dated gold half eagles. [204.32]
- The Confederacy closes down the Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans Mints. [6] [45.42] [105.32] [119.92]
1862
- January 13
- The US Mint melts 1060 unsold 1860 and 1861 proof sets. [209.94]
- April 21
- Congress establishes the Denver Assay Office. [6] [24.42]
- April 26
- US troops reclaim possession of the New Orleans Mint. [23.36] [99.36]
- November 26
- The US government purchases the site for the future Denver Mint for $25,000. [71.28] [131.48]
1863
- March 3
- Congress authorizes the establishment of a branch mint in Carson City, Nevada. [6] [40.77] [92.62] [119.66]
- May 20
- The US Mint experiments with aluminum for coinage. [34.84]
1864
- April 22
- US Congress approves switching the 1-cent coin from copper-nickel to French bronze (95 percent copper, 5 percent tin and zinc), weighing 48 grains. Also authorized is a 2-cent coin of the same composition and twice the weight. Legal tender amount of the 1-cent coin is limited to 10 cents, and the 2-cent piece to 20 cents. This is the first time minor coins are given legal tender status. Production and circulation of tokens of those denominations is banned. [4.60] [33.58] [56.34] [93.50] [108.81] [145.108] [212.15] [218.65]
- May
- The US Mint strikes final copper-nickel cents. [252.16]
- May 20
- The US Mint releases the first bronze 1-cent coins to circulation. [33.59]
- June 8
- Congress sets the penalty for counterfeiting US coins at $3000 and/or five years in prison. [50.46]
- July 4
- Congress passes an act to build a mint at Dalles City, Oregon. [206.56]
1865
- March 3
- Mint Act includes provision that all coins large enough to include motto "In God We Trust" should do so. [60.108] [111.79]
- US Representative John Kasson introduces bill for copper-nickel 3-cent coin. [218.65] [302.50]
- March 4
- The US Senate approves a bill providing for a 3-cent coin struck in copper-nickel. [218.65]
- April 30
- US Congress authorizes the copper-nickel 3-cent coin. [25.60] (March 3 [212.18] [302.11])
- May 3
- The US purchases the site of the future Carson City Mint. [25.60] [27.22]
- October 25
- The ship SS Republic is lost at sea, with a shipment of 20,000 double eagles. [60.60]
1866
- May 16
- US Congress authorizes copper-nickel 5-cent piece, legal tender up to $1, with redemption level set at $100 in lawful money. [6] [8] [28.88] [30.32] [42.15] [103.60] [145.108] [201.36] [208.57]
- June 10
- The US Mint begins production of copper-nickel 3-cent coins. [35.50] [50.46]
- June 11
- The Philadelphia Mint begins production of Shield 5-cent coins for circulation. [50.46] [111.50] [212.59]
- July 18
- A ground-breaking ceremony is held for the Carson City Mint in Carson City, Nevada. [67.38] [116.22] (September 18 [53.80])
- July 23
- Congress authorizes the sale of the Charlotte and Dahlonega Mint buildings. [42.62]
- September 18
- The Grand Masonic Lodge of Nevada lays the cornerstone for the Carson City Mint. [40.77] [119.66] [251.11]
- October 1
- A. Louden Snowden begins tenure as chief coiner at Philadelphia Mint. [118.40]
1867
- January 21
- Treasury Secretary Hugh McCulloch approves 5-cent pattern with rays removed from the reverse design, which contributed to premature die deterioration. [145.109]
- February
- The Philadelphia Mint begins production of 5-cent coins without rays in the reverse design. [145.109]
- March 19
- The former Charlotte Mint is re-opened as an assay office. [188.38]
- April 2
- US Senate confirms Henry R. Linderman as US Mint Director. [5.52]
- October 28
- Joseph J. Mickley collection is sold at auction, including an 1804 silver dollar that sells for $750. [307.36]
1868
- February
- William Sumner Appleton acquires an 1804 silver dollar from Edward Cogan. [224.25]
1869
-
- Construction begins on a new mint facility at Dalles City, Oregon. [206.58]
- July 1
- US mint at Carson City, Nevada opens. [6] [114.36]
1870
- January 8
- The Carson City Branch Mint receives its first shipment of bullion. [82.32] [119.64] [165.102] [173.28] (January 6 [40.77])
- February 10
- The Carson City Mint produces its first coins, Seated Liberty dollars. [119.66]
- February 11
- The Carson City Branch Mint releases its first coins to circulation, 2303 Seated Liberty silver dollars, first US coins with "CC" mint mark. [40.78] [57.24] (January 8 [6]) (February 10 [259.30])
- April 20
- Carson City Mint strikes its first quarter dollar coins. [22.56]
- (month unknown)
- Construction on a new mint facility in Dalles City, Oregon, is suspended. [206.58]
- December 14
- House Resolution 2525 is introduced in the House of Representatives, calling for redemption of all copper, bronze, and copper-nickel coins previously authorized by law. [189.30]
1871
-
- Redemption level of all minor coins changed to $20 in lawful money. [208.58]
1873
- January 18
- The Carson City Mint strikes 4000 1873 Seated Liberty quarter dollars. (After passage of the Mint Act of February 12, most are melted; five are known to survive.) [87.80]
- February 12
- The US Mint Act of 1873 is signed into law:
- the mint is established as a bureau within the Treasury Department;
- the silver dollar, 2-cent, silver 3-cent, and silver half dime are discontinued;
- half dollar weight increases from 192 grains to 192.904 (12.5 grams), with quarter dollar and dime set proportionately;
- a $3 gold coin is authorized;
- legal tender limit of 1-cent and 5-cent is set to 25 cents;
- a Trade dollar is established as 420 grains of 0.900 fine silver.
[6] [38.108] [43.1,132] [64.50] [80.38] [111.79] [206.58] [208.58] [212.18] [219.51] [259.30]
- March 29
- The Philadelphia Mint suspends dollar coin production. [38.109] [95.34]
- April 1
- The Mint Act of February 12 takes effect. [43.132] [111.80] [213.47]
- July 10
- The Philadelphia Mint melts non-current silver coins on hand. [40.44]
1874
- January 29
- An Act of Congress authorizes the Mint to contract with foreign governments to strike their domestic coinages. [305.138] (January 3 [150.58])
- February
- Senator John Percival Jones of Nevada introduces bill in Senate to create circulating 20-cent coin. [172.20]
- April 17
- US Mint engraver William Barber suggests applying legend "E Pluribus Unum" to the edge of the 20-cent coin. [2.22]
- August 7
- Mint Superintendent James Pollock forwards first 20-cent designs to Mint Director Henry R. Linderman. [44.67]
- November 4
- The second San Francisco Mint opens. [143.36]
1875
- March 3
- President Ulysses Grant signs into law a bill to create a circulating 20-cent coin, and transferring the Dalles City mint building to the State of Oregon. [172.20] [206.59] [302.32]
- May 18
- The Philadelphia Mint begins production of the 20-cent silver coin. [302.32]
- October 15
- Edward Cogan sells the Mendes I. Cohen 1804 Draped Bust dollar. [140.36] [224.25]
1876
- January 19
- The US Senate passes a resolution authorizing Mint Director H.R. Linderman to investigate a new mint location in Columbus, Ohio. [232.106]
- July 22
- Congress removes legal tender status from the Trade dollar, limiting future production to export demand. [83.28] (June 22 [174.94])
- October 23
- The New Orleans Mint reopens as an Assay Office. [6] [119.93] [232.106]
- November 1
- Bangs, Merwin & Co auctions the Henry S. Adams specimen of the 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar. [142.72] [224.25]
1877
- January 1
- Oliver C. Bosbyshell begins tenure as chief coiner at the Philadelphia Mint. [191.81]
- March 19
- Mint Director Henry Linderman authorizes and directs Carson City Mint Superintendent James Crawford to melt all 20-cent pieces on hand. [172.22]
- May 22
- A US patent is granted to William Wheeler Hubbell for the gold-silver alloy goloid, for coinage. [29.60]
1878
- February 28
- US Congress enacts the Bland-Allison Act (over President Rutherford B. Hayes' veto). The act:
- eliminates the Trade dollar,
- requires the US Treasury to buy $2-4 million of silver at market rates per month and coin it as silver dollars,
- and authorizes silver certificates of deposit.
[1.188] [165.10] [174.94] [185.56] (February 12 [83.28])
- March 11
- At the Philadelphia Mint, first strikes of the Morgan-designed Liberty silver dollar coin for circulation are made. The first strike is defective so is defaced. The second example is struck as a Proof, and presented to President Rutherford Hayes. [43.60] [93.38] [178.76] [206.18] [291.36] (August 5 [22.84])
- May 2
- An Act of Congress abolishes the 20-cent coin. [6] [216.74]
- July 18
- The US Mint melts 44,148 Trade dollar coins. [41.58] (July 19 [174.94])
- September 17
- William E. DuBois authenticates the 1804 Draped Bust dollar of Robert Coulton Davis. [53.80]
- December 20
- Former Dahlonega Mint building destroyed by fire. [77.42]
1879
- January 1
- The US government resumes specie payments (gold and silver coins) for paper currency. [177.98] [304.81]
- February 23
- New Orleans Mint resumes dollar coinage, after 18-year suspension. [91.56] [184.34]
- November 1
- Carson City Mint coinage is suspended, due to silver stock reduced to 12,000 ounces. [251.16]
1880
- May 1
- Carson City Mint coinage resumes, with silver stock replenished to 227,000 ounces. [251.16]
- June 19
- Harpers Weekly publishes a full page illustration of "Coining Silver Dollars at the Philadelphia Mint". [36.56]
1883
- May 23
- T. Harrison Garrett purchases the O.H. Berg specimen of the 1804 Draped Bust dollar from John W. Haseltine for $765. [29.60] [34.84] [202.28] [214.14]
- December 3
- President Arthur asks Congress to terminate the Trade dollar. [305.24]
1884
- October 13
- Adolph Weyl in Berlin, Germany, auctions an 1804 Draped Bust dollar to the Chapman brothers for $1000. [58.68] [224.25] [307.36]
1885
- May 14
- Coin dealer J.W. Scott purchases an 1804 Draped Bust dollar coin for James V. Dexter from the Chapman brothers for US$1000. [28.88]
- September 25
- The Francis W. Furman copy of the 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar is stolen from his residence in Providence, Rhode Island. [54.42]
- November 6
- US mint at Carson City, Nevada directed to close. [6]
- November 7
- The Carson City Mint closes. [68.70] [128.36] [143.36] [292.32] (March 18 [40.78])
1886
- April 9
- US House of Representatives votes to reject the free silver coinage bill. [21.22]
1887
- February 10
- Mint Superintendent A. Loudon Snowden declares Dexter 1804 Draped Bust dollar genuine. [170.56]
- March 3
- Legislation is passed providing for redemption of Trade dollars at face value. [174.94]
1889
- July 1
- US mint at Carson City, Nevada reopens. [6]
1890
- September 26
- The Mint Act abolishes the $1 and $3 gold coins and 3-cent piece. Coinage designs must be used for a minimum of 25 years before they can be redesigned without special congressional approval. [1.80] [6] [41.78] [54.42] [142.66] [212.18] [291.22]
1891
- October 7
- The American Numismatic Association is founded. [124.44]
- November 5
- New coin designs by Chief Engraver Charles Barber for the half dollar, quarter dollar, and dime are announced. [128.36]
1892
- August 6
- Congress authorizes the World's Columbian Exposition half dollar. [44.67] [253.68]
- November 19
- The US Mint begins striking 1892 World's Columbian Exposition commemorative half dollar. This is the first US commemorative coin. [130.24] [178.25] [292.32]
- December 19
- First Columbian half dollar coins are received by World's Columbian Exposition officials. [305.24]
1893
- March 3
- Congress authorizes Isabella commemorative quarter dollar. [289.70]
- June
- San Francisco Mint officials order a halt to coining dimes due to excess inventory. [303.63]
1894
- January 27
- The US Senate confirms G.E. Roberts as Mint director. [257.20]
1895
- February 20
- Congress changes designation of the Denver Assay Office to Denver Mint, with authority to strike gold and silver coins. [6] [265.24]
1896
- April 20
- Congress appropriates US$60,000 to purchase property to erect a mint facility in Denver, Colorado. [4.60] [99.36]
1899
- February 24
- Congress changes status of Carson City Mint to assay office. [91.56] [288.36]
- March 3
- US Congress authorizes Lafayette silver dollar. [6]
- December 14
- The US Mint produces all 50,026 examples of the 1900 Lafayette commemorative silver dollar. [129.87] [238.48] [305.22]
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