by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: February 24, 2009   Last Updated: March 29, 2009

There was really only one reason to have a United States Federal Mint located in Carson City, Nevada. This reason is known as the Comstock
Load. These were the mines that decorated the area around Virginia City and produced massive amounts of gold and silver. The mint was built close to the natural resources needed to make the coins. It was a win- win for Carson City.

The Carson City Mint stamped it's last coin in 1893. During the entire life of the mint it is responsible for 56,635,119 gold and silver coins. Some of coins they made, marked with the famous "cc" are:

Double Eagles - $20 gold piece

Gold Eagles - $10 gold piece

Half Eagles - $5 gold piece

They also minted dimes, silver dollars, half dollars, quarters and 20-cent pieces.

The mint came to a relatively young city. Carson City was founded in 1858 and the mint was built eight years later. The design of the building is a creation of Alfred Bult
Mullet. He was the Supervising Architect of the Treasury. It was the towns first substantial building. It became a trend setter for design on many other important buildings in city.

All the materials used in the building of the Carson City Mint were native Nevada product. The sandstone was quarried at the state prison. The brick was made by Adam's Brick Works in Genoa. It is probably now coincidence that this brick company was operated by the grandsons of John Qunicy
Adams. The interior wainscoting in the building was milled from Tahoe sugar pine. Alfred Mullet took pride in using all these products in his unique design.

The Carson City Mint was established by the United States Congress in 1863. However, the construction had be postponed because of the Civil War. The official groundbreaking ceremony took place July 18th, 1866. The Mint opened, under the direction of Abraham Curry in December of 1869. Abraham Curry also hold the title as the founder of Carson City.

The Mint came full circle based on the same reason it was opened, the Comstock
Load. When the mines ran dry there was not enough raw materials to keep the Mint operating. It was used as an assay office after the status of Mint was withdrawn in 1899.

The building now serves as part of the Nevada State Museums. As much as could be done was to save the historical structure of the building when is was remodeled to accommodate the museum. The Mint's Press No. 1 is still housed in this museum. There is an admission fee for adults to go and view this piece of history.

Learn more about this author, Trenna Sue Hiler.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.