The US Mint is an interesting "factory" since money isn't really a product, per-se. It is produced though, somewhat controversially, according to different economic theories, but that's for a different blog. Since it is produced though, we feel our tour of the US Mint in Philadelphia deserves a post on this blog as well.
As a federal employee, I used my annual leave to take off the day after Thanksgiving trusting that the federal government would continue working without me. Sadly, the US Mint in Philadelphia was not running on the Friday after Thanksgiving. We found this to be ironic considering Black Friday is a day when millions of dollars are spent by Americans, but America isn't producing millions of dollars in currency...but I digress.
Although coins were not being minted that day, the self-guided tour was still open to the public, free of charge on Independence Mall. When we arrived, we immediately noticed a sign that adults need federal IDs to enter. While Meghann, the kids and some of our extended family sat outside the mint, I ran back to the car for my wife's ID since, "I didn't think I would need it" evidently is a sufficient excuse for leaving your purse in the car...but I digress.
When you walk into the mint you enter into a foyer, which really puts you into the gift shop ostensibly to spend the money you will soon learn how is made. The tour directed is to go to the third floor via the steps or the elevator in the back of the gift shop. It is normally in poor taste to force people through the gift shop to get to the start of the tour, but it's excusable since the building is likely older than the shop or the tour. But still, there was a down escalator, yet we were directed to use the stairs or (small) elevator to go up. Most escalator operators understand the role of the escalator--it literally means to go up! It's illogical, and contrary to common sense, to send people to stairs to go up and an escalator to go down...but I digress.
The tour itself was very well done, despite the lack of a formal tour guide, a facilitator or even a friendly employee to ask questions. The entire production floor was one long corridor that doubles back on itself teaching you all about how coins are produced and how the mint works. For a self-guided tour it was pleasantly engaging even for young children. There were coins to touch and a computer that let kids design their own quarters. Despite not seeing the actual production that day, there was still a lot to see and a lot to learn. On the second floor (escalator down!) you learn about how coins were minted in the colonial era which really helps you appreciate just how impressive the minting operation is today.
That said, there was a lot I felt was left out. There were several examples of specialty coins produced for occasions or in honor of someone or something, but not much detail. The space of the tour clearly limited the opportunity to learn more. Also, the minting experience is clearly prioritized over the numismatics--of which I would have preferred more.
The gift shop (escalator down!) had more for numismatists. It was more focused on the coins than the minting. Besides being exceptionally overpriced, it had everything you'd hope to see there including large novelty coins and collectible coins. Unfortunately though, you couldn't buy a coin minted on site--which was all a visitor would expect. I understand it can't be a free giveaway since it's a free tour and federal money, but I would have gladly paid for a fresh coin made on the premises. When I asked the cashier if coins were available he sent me to a coin crank machine and said that was the only option for a clean coin—pressed into a souvenir with a picture of the US Mint in Philadelphia…no thanks.
The overall experience at the US Mint was fine. Before visiting the mint, we played mini golf at Franklin Square, so the mint was one of two stops of the day. If you do plan to visit the US Mint in Philadelphia, be sure to visit the other sites on Independence Mall, like the Liberty Bell, the Constitution Center, Independence Hall and/or the National Museum of American Jewish History since the Mint itself will definitely not take more than an hour of your time.
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars, with low expectations going in
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Affordability: Free
Nearby factories and attractions: No other factories, but several Philadelphia tourist attractions (see above)
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