Philadelphia Mint

NJCollector

The family is taking a trip in a couple of weeks to the Philadelphia mint. Has anyone taken that tour? It was a birthday request of my coin collecting 9 yr old, and I am looking forward to it as well. The wife and others are tagging along reluctantly.

The mint website, and comments from our Senators office staff who arranged the trip do not give a very cheerful impression of the mint tour. A lot of do nots and warnings (right down to no cameras, pocketbooks, pens?? ,prescription medications, etc). Seems almost like they want to discourage visitors.

Anyone able to speak about the tour from experience?

Thanks.

longtimecollector

I havent been there in 4 years, and I heard that they've altered the "tour" since 9-11..... But, since you asked, here is my impression....... When I was there, the mint had a very nice display of coins and patterns on display in the main lobby (drool, drool), as well as an old coining press and the stuffed remains of "Pete" the eagle (supposedly a bald eagle that hung out at the mint in the early 1800's eating left-over baloney sandwiches or something, but which happened to get caught in the machinery one day)..... Up the escalator you go to a self guided walk where you can view the mint coining operation and see them wheeling newly made coins around in Volkswagen sized pushcarts...... Pictures of classic commems line the hallway walls, and you get to see an early mint scale and pick up a little info on the mints early days....... Naturally, the tour ends with a stop at the gift shop (where you'll pay sales tax as opposed to the internet site)........ Aside from some uninteresting medals, there's nothing available there that isnt available on the mints website....... While I might sound unimpressed, I really enjoyed it...... Sorta like Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory........ It only takes about an hour to do it all...... Try it, You'll like it !!!!!

BillJones

I've understood that mint tours since 9/11 are few and far between.

I took the tour a couple of times when it was "up and running." It did not amount to much. For the main operation you looked down from high up over the production floor and saw machines moving (mostly coin presses). There was nothing going on in the area when medals are made. There was a display of coins and medals and the "1793 coin press" (the Gallery mint people claim that it was a planchet cutter) and some paintings. That was the best part of all. Plus there was the mint store, but I would imagine that is now closed given that there are virtually no tours.

Sorry I can't be more positive or remember more...

mgoodm3

I went there back in the early 90's. It was a self guided tour then. Just walk through and see the coins and such being made. displays of coins and machinery. I enjoyed it. I don't know what has changed since.

DeepCoin

The store that is located in the Philadelphia Mint is a privately owned store and other than buying space has no relationship to the US Mint. I dont know if they are still open, but if they are, dont blame the Mint for their products being either overpriced or of poor quality. I was not impressed when I was there.

PhillyJoe

All of the above is correct. Sad to say, but skip the Mint. However, across the street is the new Constitution Center and that should satisfy your thirst for history. Next to the Mint is the newly reopened Old Christ Church cemetery, you know, where the real Frankie is buried.

On October 9th, the Liberty Bell moves to it's new home. Good news, bad news. Pretty neat to watch, however security will be unbelievable.

Enjoy.

Joe

bearcave

We were there last month, didn't get to tour but from what we understood its not that good any more. The gift shop was set up outside and we could not even get in the door. Like phillyjoe says the sites are real enjoyable but the security is tight.

mgoodm3

Sad to hear that the tours are a thing of the past. It was neat seeing giant vats of quarters. I think they also were printing currency. Big giant piles of sheets of 20's.

razorface1027

GEEZ...This thread is bringing back memories. About 35 years ago, I went on a school trip to the Phila. Mint and was DROOLING then. Then, there were the late nights hanging out getting drunk on the front steps of the mint trying to figure out how me and a few other knuckleheads were going to "Knock-off" the joint. Hey, if you decide not to go there's always the Eastern State Penitentary tour right down the street. They have a Halloween special too.

NJCollector

We did our mint tour this past week. I would classify the trip as "OK."
Lasted all of an hour. You get to look through the glass down one floor to the machinery making the coins. Nothing really to see in the way of displays. No more self guided tour, all is strictly supervised. Some on the exhibits on the walls of what used to be the self guided tour were removed (for renovation or some other excuse). The tour guide was quite knowledgible and friendly. One son enjoyed that we were there the same day that the first Ark. state quarters were being shipped. The other son's highlight was seeing Pete the eagle stuffed on the wall. I'm not complaining, I just guess I had too high expectations.

richbeat

Thanks for the update. It's a shame it has to be that way.

291fifth

I took the "deluxe" ANA tour back in 1993. We were able to meet the mint artists in their design area and see the reducing machines in operation. We also took the regular mint tour, which frankly, isn't much. If all you get is the regular tour you may be disappointed. It is just a coinage factory in operation.

jonesy

Took the deluxe tour a couple of weeks ago on the Discovery Channel. Saw how the rolls of metal are brought in and planchets were cut from them. Saw how the coin presses punch out the coins by the hundreds. Also learned the presses are set sideways to prevent damaging the floors. Tour showed Randy posing for the Sac dollar. Great tour. Take it everytime it comes on TV!!