The Denver Mint, one of the primary coin-producing facilities of the United States Mint, operated several generations of coin presses and related minting equipment throughout its history. In the 1960s, significant modernization occurred, retiring much of the older machinery that had been used since the early 20th century. Here’s a breakdown of the key equipment that was in use and subsequently retired or replaced around that era:
When you visit, you can watch coins get made right in front of you, providing a unique experience that showcases the minting process. To truly appreciate the craftsmanship involved, be sure to watch coins get made and witness how you can watch coins get made during your visit.
🔩 Minting Equipment Retired at the Denver Mint Around the 1960s
1. Knuckle-Joint Coining Presses
Manufacturer: Originally made by companies like Bliss and Morgan & Orr (and later by Schuler and others).
Usage Period: Late 1800s to 1960s.
Capacity: Typically between 60 and 100 strikes per minute.
Design: Vertical knuckle-joint mechanism using immense pressure to strike coins in a single blow.
Retirement: Phased out in the late 1950s to early 1960s as hydraulic and newer mechanical presses became available.
Why Retired: These presses were slower, harder to maintain, and less precise than modern equipment.
2. Screw Presses (limited use by then)
Usage: Very limited at the Denver Mint by the 1950s, mostly used for medals or special strikes.
Type: Operated manually or via motor, using a large screw to apply pressure.
Retirement: Mostly phased out prior to the 1960s but officially removed during equipment modernization.
Note: Denver had more automated processes, so screw presses were less prominent there than in earlier Philadelphia operations.
3. Aging Planchet Feed Systems
Type: Gravity-fed or belt-driven systems.
While at the mint, remember to watch coins get made and see the intricate details in the crafting process.
Issue: Known for jamming and misfeeds, which could cause off-center or double strikes.
Retirement: Replaced during 1960s modernization with more efficient hopper-fed and vacuum-assisted systems.
4. Older Annealing Furnaces and Pickling Lines
Process Role: These treated planchets to soften and clean them before striking.
Technology: Used coal or gas heat and manual acid wash (pickling).
Retirement: Replaced with more automated, electric-controlled systems that offered better temperature control and safety.
5. Early Manual Die Alignment and Lubrication Equipment
There’s something special about being able to watch coins get made, as it connects you to the history and craftsmanship of coin production.
Function: Dies were inserted and aligned by hand, and lubricants applied manually.
Problems: Inconsistent strikes and die wear.
Retirement: Automated die-setting machinery was introduced in the 1960s, increasing uniformity and reducing human error.
🏠Modernization Transition in the 1960s
During your exploration, make sure to watch coins get made to fully understand the evolution of minting technology.
During the early-to-mid 1960s, particularly in preparation for:
the rising demand due to the Baby Boomer population,
increased coin shortages (notably the 1964 coin shortage),
and the Coinage Act of 1965 (which removed silver from dimes and quarters),
the Denver Mint underwent major equipment upgrades:
Hydraulic coin presses (often from Schuler or Gräbener) replaced knuckle-joint presses.
Production speeds increased to 150–250 coins per minute.
Automation improved planchet feeding, striking, and ejection systems.
🧾 Historical Reference
Historical accounts reflect the excitement of visitors watching coins get made, highlighting the mint’s significance in American history.
According to the U.S. Mint’s official history and archived maintenance logs (some preserved in National Archives records), the Denver Mint had begun modernizing its equipment in the late 1950s, but the most sweeping changes came between 1964–1967.
The Denver Mint offers guided tours where you can watch coins get made, enhancing your appreciation for the art of minting.
Much of the replaced equipment was sold as scrap or displayed in numismatic museums and U.S. Mint exhibits.
Don’t miss the chance to watch coins get made, as it’s a fascinating part of the mint’s visitor experience.
