The history of the US Mint
starts when
the subject of a National Mint for the United States was first introduced
by Robert Morris. During the Confederation the
different States had the unquestioned right to coin money, but only
according to the standard of fineness, weight, and value, prescribed by
the central government. As head of the Finance
Department, Mr. Morris was instructed by Congress to prepare a report on
the foreign coins, then in circulation in the United States. On the 15th
of January, 1782, he laid before Congress an exposition of the whole
subject. Accompanying this report was a plan for American coinage. But it
was mainly through his efforts, in connection with Thomas Jefferson and
Alexander Hamilton, that a mint was established in the early history of
the Union of the States. On the 15th of April, 1790, Congress instructed
the Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, to prepare and report a
proper plan for the establishment of a National Mint, and Mr. Hamilton
presented his report at the next session. An act was framed establishing
what became the US Mint, which finally passed both Houses and received President
Washington's approval April 2, 1792.
