The United States Mint
Created on April 2, 1792, the United States Mint has as its primary mission the production of an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce, with recent circulating coin production varying between 14 and 20 billion coins annually. In addition to producing coins, the United States Mint has the responsibilities for distributing U.S. coins to the Federal Reserve Banks and branches; maintaining physical custody and protection of the Nation's $100 billion of U.S. gold and silver assets; producing proof and uncirculated coins, commemorative coins, and medals for sale to the general public; manufacturing and selling platinum, gold, and silver bullion coins; overseeing production facilities in Denver, Philadelphia, San Francisco and West Point, as well as the U.S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky; and receiving, redeeming, and processing mutilated coins. The United States Mint receives more than $2.4 billion in annual revenues. As a self-funded agency, the United States Mint returns revenues beyond its operating expenses to the General Fund of the Treasury.
The United States Mint and the Corps of Discovery
Just as modern day explorers continuously face the unknown, the Corps of Discovery knew that it would encounter some Native Americans who could greet them with mistrust and hostility.
At President Thomas Jefferson's request, the United States Mint, barely ten years old at that time, produced for the Corps of Discovery the peace medals Lewis and Clark carried with them. It was a collaboration of the two federal agencies that made up the journey westward - the United States Army and the United States Mint. While exchanges symbolizing peace were common and included clothing, flags and other gifts, historians seem to agree that "peace" medals were by far the most important since the agreement of peaceable relations between both parties was inherent in their giving and receiving. Without the peace medals the expedition brought along, it is entirely possible that relations between the explorers and the many tribes they encountered might not have proven as fruitful.
The Jefferson peace medals were stamped, or "struck," from a sheet of silver. The two parts, the front, or "obverse," and the back, or "reverse," were fastened together by a silver band. Robert Scot is believed to be the engraver of the medals, while many believe John Reich cut the dies and struck the medals. Workers at the United States Mint, at that time located solely in Philadelphia, produced the medals during noon hours and at night, so as not to interfere with the minting of coins for commerce.
The likeness of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse was the first time an American President was depicted on a medal or coin of any type by the United States Mint. The profile image of Jefferson served to introduce new cultures to "the great father," as the head of the sovereign United States to which the American Indians now belonged. The reverse of the medal showed the image of two hands clasped together with the inscription "Peace and Friendship." The image of a crossed tomahawk and peace pipe further symbolized the inscription.
With the debut of America's newest circulating coin, the United States Mint will again be an integral part of the Corps of Discovery's history. In 1997, Congress authorized the United States Mint to produce a Golden Dollar coin. This coin pays tribute to the young Indian maid who was invaluable to the very survival of Lewis and Clark on their expedition and their reception by the Tribes in a spirit of peace and friendship. Sacagawea's language skills and the fact that she was a woman were just as important to the Corps, as were the peace medals, in building friendly relations with our new friends and fellow Americans.
In honor of the 200th anniversary of the original Corps of Discovery, and by act of Congress, the United States Mint will produce a silver dollar commemorative coin. The coin will have the likenesses of the two men on the obverse, or "head," and may be issued on or after January 1, 2004. In accordance with the legislation that authorizes this commemorative coin, a portion of the proceeds will go to the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council and to the National Park Service for support of the commemoration.
The United States Mint is proud to be an integral and vital part of the Lewis and Clark Bi-Centennial Commemoration. As the next four years unfold and we trace Lewis and Clark's trip westward and back home again, the United States Mint will be ever mindful of its past but always looking toward the future.
More on related United States Mint programs.
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