Legal Definitions - Bureau of the Mint

The Bureau of the Mint is an older or alternative name for the United States Mint. It is a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Treasury responsible for producing coinage for the United States. Its core functions include manufacturing circulating coins, commemorative coins, and medals, as well as safeguarding the nation's gold and silver bullion.

Here are some examples illustrating the term:

• A historian studying the economic policies of the early 20th century might encounter official government reports that refer to the "Bureau of the Mint" when detailing the production quotas for pennies and nickels during that period.

  This example demonstrates that the term was historically used in official capacities to describe the entity responsible for manufacturing the nation's currency.

• During a discussion among coin collectors, one might refer to a rare 1893 silver dollar as having been struck by the "Bureau of the Mint" in Philadelphia, using the historical terminology to describe its origin.

  This illustrates how the term might still be used in specialized contexts, like numismatics, to refer to the institution that produced specific historical coins.

• When reviewing legislative archives from the late 19th century, a researcher might find a bill proposing new security measures for the vaults managed by the "Bureau of the Mint," highlighting its role in safeguarding precious metals.

  This example shows the term's application in a governmental and archival context, emphasizing its historical responsibility for both coin production and the secure storage of national assets.