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] [307.74] [327.48] [345.46]
- March 31
- US Senate confirms Thomas Pettit as US Mint Director. [5.52]
- April
- The Philadelphia Mint begins coinage of dimes with new weight and arrows beside date. [307.74]
- April 26
- The Philadelphia Mint begins striking 1853 Seated Liberty quarter dollars with arrows and rays indicating the new weight. [24.42] [99.36] [334.86]
- 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
- The San Francisco Mint openfor business, and receives first deposit of gold, 45 ounces from Adams & Co. [209.112] [313.28]
- Mint Director James Ross Snowden proposes that copper coins be reduced in weight. [294.42]
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- 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] [356.36] (April 3 [57.22])
- April 19
- An official ceremony is held at the San Francisco Mint to mark initial production of double, one, half, and quarter eagles. This is the only day of 1854 production for quarter and half eagles. [196.22] [313.28]
- 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 2
- Chief Coiner Franklin Peale is dismissed from Mint service. [333.104]
- 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 small cent composed of 12 percent nickel and 88 percent copper, weighing 72 grains; 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] [309.36] [345.46] [470.37]
- 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] [309.36]
- (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] [383.44]
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 Confederate States of America closes the Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans Mints. [6] [45.42] [105.32] [119.92] [361.36]
- November 13
- Baptist minister Mark R. Watkinson of Ridleyville, Pennsylvania, writes a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase asking for the "recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins", proposing "God, Liberty, Law". [381.50] [404.504]
- November 20
- Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase writes to US Mint Director James Pollock saying "The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins." [381.50] (November 21 [404.504]
1862
- January 3
- The US government suspends specie payments. [318.32]
- 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]
- March 26
- The Philadelphia begins striking 1863-dated half dimes for circulation. [350.90]
- May 20
- The US Mint experiments with aluminum for coinage. [34.84]
- December 9
- Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase approves Mint Director James Pollock's proposal for implementing motto recognizing God on US coins. [334.44]
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] [367.38]
- 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] [1480.36]
- 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 16
- The Philadelphia Mint coins 10,000 1865-dated dimes for circulation. This is the only day of dime production for the year. [308.72]
- 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. [8] [28.88] [30.32] [42.15] [103.60] [145.108] [201.36] [208.57] [361.36]
- June 10
- The Philadelphia Mint begins production of copper-nickel 3-cent coins. [35.50] [50.46] [367.38]
- June 11
- The Philadelphia Mint begins production of Shield 5-cent coins for circulation. [50.46] [111.50] [212.59] [312.54] [367.38]
- 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] [383.44]
1867
- January 21
- Treasury Secretary Hugh McCulloch approves 5-cent pattern with rays removed from the reverse design (and other minor changes), which contributed to premature die deterioration. [145.109] [312.56] [341.92]
- February 1
- The Philadelphia Mint begins production of 5-cent coins without rays in the reverse design. [145.109] [312.56]
- 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
- (to November 2) Mssrs. Leavitt, Strebeigh & Co. conduct an auction of Eliot Woodward, his Tenth Semi-Annual Sale of American and Foreign Coins and Medals: The [Joseph J.] Mickley Collection. Sales of the 3382 lots total $13,285.70, including 28 complete proof sets 1827-1866, thirteen 1793 cents of which eight are uncirculated, a Birch cent, and a silver center pattern cent. An 1804 (Class I) silver dollar sells for $750 to William A. Lilliendahl, a record for a US coin at auction. [307.36,80] [438.598] [442.977] [459.44]
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]
1870
- January 8
- The Carson City Branch Mint receives its first shipment of bullion. [82.32] [119.64] [165.102] [173.28] [308.72] (January 6 [40.77]) (July 1, 1869 [6] [114.36])
- February 4
- The Carson City Mint begins striking silver dollars. [354.57] (February 10 [479.12])
- 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] (February 10 [119.66] [259.30] [343.80])
- March 1
- The Carson City Mint begins striking gold half eagles for circulation, striking 400 pieces. [354.56]
- March 10
- The Carson City Mint begins striking gold double eagles for circulation, striking 1332 pieces. [354.56]
- April 20
- Carson City Mint strikes its first quarter dollar coins. [22.56]
- June 30
- The Carson City Mint completes dollar coinage for the year, a total of 12,462 pieces. [479.12]
- (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
- March 3
- Act authorizes Mint to redeem and melt 2-cent coins. [381.50]
- (month unknown)
- Redemption level of all minor coins changed to $20 in lawful money. [208.58]
1873
- January 18
- Carson City Mint produces first copies of 1873-dated silver dollars, half dollars, and quarter dollars (4000). (After passage of the Mint Act of February 12, most are melted; five quarter dollars are known to survive.) [87.80] [361.40]
- 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;
- the right of silver holders to have their silver stuck as legal tender dollar coins is abolished;
- 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] [307.54] [327.48] [344.50] [467.37]
- March 3
- Carson City Mint coiner Chauncey Noteware delivers 12,400 dimes to Superintendent Henry Rice, who sets aisde five for assay. (Only one is known to exist.) [371.4]
- 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]
- July 11
- The Philadelphia Mint strikes first Trade dollars. [307.54]
- July 22
- The Carson City Mint receives Trade dollar dies, and strikes 8000 coins. [307.54]
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] [416.48]
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