West Point Mint Facility A Leader in Coin Production and Design

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The West Point Mint Facility is a true leader in the world of coin production and design. It's one of the largest and most advanced mints in the world.

The facility is located in the scenic Hudson Valley of New York, where it has been producing coins since 1973. That's a long time, and it's a testament to the facility's commitment to excellence.

One of the things that sets the West Point Mint Facility apart is its unique ability to produce gold, silver, and platinum coins. This is a result of its state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained staff.

History of West Point Mint

In 1974, the West Point Mint started producing Lincoln cents without a mint mark, making them indistinguishable from those produced at the Philadelphia Mint. This continued until 1986.

The West Point Bullion Depository was granted mint status on March 31, 1988, and started producing American Gold Eagle bullion coins that same year. These coins are still produced at the mint today.

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The West Point Mint has also produced a number of unique coins, including the American Platinum Eagle, which was first produced in 1997. The American Palladium Eagle, the first US bullion coin made of palladium, was released in 2017.

Here are some notable coins produced at the West Point Mint:

  • Lincoln cents (1974-1986)
  • Washington quarters (1977-1979)
  • American Gold Eagle bullion coins (1986-present)
  • American Platinum Eagle (1997-present)
  • American Palladium Eagle (2017-present)

Early Years

The West Point Mint has a rich history of producing some truly unique and valuable coins. In 1986, the American Gold Eagle was first produced in West Point, available in four different weights: 1/10 ounce, 1/4 ounce, 1/2 ounce, and 1 ounce.

The Lady Liberty on the obverse of the American Gold Eagle was taken from a famous model: the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle, which was produced between 1907 and 1933. This is a great example of how the West Point Mint draws inspiration from classic designs.

In 1997, the American Platinum Eagle was first produced in West Point, initially available in four different weights: 1/10 ounce, 1/4 ounce, 1/2 ounce, and 1 ounce. The collector's version of the American Platinum Eagle features a motif on the reverse that changes every year.

The American Platinum Eagle is one of the few bullion coins produced by the West Point Mint that doesn't bear a mint mark; only the Proof version for collectors depicts it.

A Short History and Many Firsts

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The West Point Mint has a rich history, and it's fascinating to explore its many firsts. The American Gold Eagle, for example, was first produced in West Point in 1986 and has since become a classic among bullion coins.

The Gold Eagle comes in four versions: 1/10 ounce, ¼ ounce, ½ ounce, and 1 ounce. The Lady Liberty on the obverse was taken from the famous Saint Gaudens Double Eagle, which was produced between 1907 and 1933. The design is a nod to the past, while the modern production techniques make it a sought-after coin among collectors.

In 1997, the West Point Mint started producing the American Platinum Eagle, a 1-ounce bullion coin that doesn't bear a mint mark. The Proof version, however, features a unique motif on the reverse that changes every year. The Platinum Eagle was produced in various versions until 2008, when production was halted for five years before resuming in 2014.

Credit: youtube.com, West Point Mint of the United States

The West Point Mint has also produced some unique coins, such as the bimetal coin honoring the Library of Congress in 2000. This coin is made of platinum and gold and is the first and only bimetal coin in US history.

The American Buffalo, introduced in 2006, is another notable coin. It's made of 24-karat gold and features a Native American head on the obverse and a buffalo on the reverse. The design was inspired by the classic Buffalo nickel, which was first issued in 1913.

In 2017, the West Point Mint released the American Palladium Eagle, the first US bullion coin made of palladium. The coin features the Mercury Dime design on the obverse, which was first introduced in 1916.

Coin Production

The West Point Mint facility has been producing a wide range of coins over the years.

In 2006, the facility began making American Buffalo 24-carat gold bullion coins.

It also struck the first gold and platinum bimetallic coin in 2000. This was a significant milestone in the history of the West Point Mint.

West Point made about 1.5 million Roosevelt dimes in 1996 to commemorate the coin’s 50th anniversary. These dimes featured the “W” mintmark.

Commemorative Kennedy half dollars were made in both silver and gold in 2014 to mark the coin’s 50th anniversary.

Operations and Facilities

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The West Point Mint Facility is a highly secure and controlled environment, with a strict access policy in place to protect the minting process and the coins being produced. Only authorized personnel are allowed to enter the facility.

The facility is situated on a 53-acre site in the town of Highland, New York, and is surrounded by a 4-foot high security fence. The fence is topped with a 6-foot high chain-link fence to prevent any potential breaches.

The West Point Mint Facility is equipped with state-of-the-art security systems, including motion detectors, alarms, and CCTV cameras. These systems are monitored 24/7 by trained security personnel.

The facility has a dedicated power grid, which provides a reliable and consistent power supply to the minting equipment. This ensures that production can continue uninterrupted, even during power outages.

The West Point Mint Facility has a total of 13 buildings, including the main mint building, which houses the majority of the minting equipment. The other buildings are used for various support functions, such as administration and storage.

The Today

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The West Point Mint Today is a unique facility with a focus on producing bullion coins.

It's located in a functional, simple concrete building without any windows.

The mint has undergone some changes, with an extension added in 2002, giving it a second floor and covering an area of 8700 m.

Visits to the mint are not typically permitted due to the high level of security in place.

This is largely due to the significant gold reserves stored on site.

The production of bullion coins is the main task of the mint, with a focus on gold and silver coins.

Interestingly, the mint doesn't produce gold coins from the bars stored there, but rather uses blanks delivered to the mint for the minting process.

The mint has automated packaging machinery to package bullion coins efficiently.

For example, 20 coins are first packed into a plastic tube, then 25 tubes are put into a larger box ready for dispatch.

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The West Point Mint is a crucial part of the US mint's operations, producing over half of the mint's revenue, which in 2020 was over 2 billion dollars.

The American Gold Eagle is still the best-selling coin, but other bullion products like silver, platinum, and palladium versions of the American Eagle are also popular.

In addition, the American Buffalo bullion coin, first issued in 2006, is also produced at the mint.

Products and Services

The West Point Mint Facility produces a variety of coins, including proof and uncirculated American Eagle Bullion coins in silver, gold, and platinum.

One notable product is the American Buffalo 24-carat gold bullion coin, which was first introduced in 2006.

In 1996, the facility made about 1.5 million Roosevelt dimes to commemorate the coin's 50th anniversary, featuring a "W" mintmark.

Commemorative coins are also a specialty, such as the 2014 Kennedy half dollars made in both silver and gold to mark the coin's 50th anniversary.

Products

Detailed view of Benjamin Franklin's face on a US dollar bill, showcasing fine engraving.
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The West Point Mint is a leading manufacturer of unique and commemorative coins. It produces proof and uncirculated American Eagle Bullion coins in silver, gold, and platinum, as well as gold and silver commemorative coins of various designs.

One notable product is the American Buffalo 24-carat gold bullion coin, which was first introduced in 2006. The West Point Mint also struck the first gold and platinum bimetallic coin in 2000.

The West Point Mint has also produced commemorative coins to mark significant anniversaries. For example, in 1996, it produced 1.5 million Roosevelt dimes to commemorate the coin's 50th anniversary. These dimes were included in the mint sets of that year but not released for circulation.

The West Point Mint has also produced special coins in recent years. For example, in 2015, it produced a three-coin set to commemorate the March of Dimes, which included a 2015-W dollar and a 2015-W Roosevelt dime. Only 75,000 sets were produced.

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Here are some notable products produced by the West Point Mint:

The West Point Mint has also produced quarters with the "W" mint mark, which were placed into circulation in 2019 to promote the hobby of coin collecting. 2 million of each of the five national park quarters released in 2019 contained the "W" mint mark.

Quarter Features

West Point quarters are clad coins produced in 2019 and 2020. They have a copper core that's coated in an alloy of 75 per cent copper and 25 per cent nickel.

Some West Point quarters have a unique feature - they're made from 99.99 per cent silver. These quarters were produced as proof coins at the San Francisco Mint facility in the same years as the clad quarters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are West Point Mint coins valuable?

Yes, West Point Mint coins can be valuable, especially those in mint state condition. Their value can range from tens to thousands of dollars, depending on their condition and rarity.

Where are the 4 U.S. Mints located?

The U.S. Mints are located in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point, New York. These facilities produce coins and are operated by the mint's headquarters in Washington D.C.

How many West Point Mint quarters are there?

There are 10 different types of West Point Mint quarters, all with a mintage of 2,000,000 pieces each.

Teresa Halvorson

Senior Writer

Teresa Halvorson is a skilled writer with a passion for financial journalism. Her expertise lies in breaking down complex topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content. With a keen eye for detail, Teresa has successfully covered a range of article categories, including currency exchange rates and foreign exchange rates.

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