The United States Mint has completed production
of the 2006 San
Francisco Mint Commemorative coins. Public Law 109-230 mandated the
striking of both silver dollar and five dollar gold coins to honor the
old Mint's place in history, in particular its role in helping the city
of San Francisco recover following the devastating earthquake of 1906.
The San
Francisco Mint was first established in 1852, in response to the
need to convert California gold rush discoveries into coinage. The
first mint facility was quickly outgrown, giving rise to the building
depicted in the 2006 San Francisco Mint Commemorative coins. The
"Granite Lady", as the second SF Mint came to be known, first struck
coins in 1874.
Because of her superior structural design, the
Granite Lady remained
standing following the 1906 earthquake. The Mint was the only financial
institution capable of functioning immediately after the disaster, and
served as a clearing house for relief funds, helping the city to get on
its feet much quicker.
Both coins were produced at the modern-day San Francisco Mint (first
opened in 1937), and bore the "S" mintmark, indicative of its place of
origin. These are the first U.S. commemorative coins ever to pay
tribute to a U.S. Mint facility. The coins were minted in proof and
uncirculated formats. Final sales figures:
Uncirculated Silver Dollar: 65,609
Proof Silver Dollar: 207,248
Uncirculated Gold Half Eagle: 16,149
Proof Gold Half Eagle: 41,517
2006 American Legacy Set: 48,452
Surcharges earned through the sale of the San
Francisco Mint Commemorative coins went to help recondition the Granite
Lady and create a museum dedicated to United States numismatics and the
California Gold Rush.
Collectors wishing to buy San Francisco Mint commemorative coins can find them on eBay coin
auctions.
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