The San Francisco Mint
The fabled San Francisco Mint is a U.S. branch mint established in 1854 as a response to the California Gold Rush. It was cheaper and less risky to transport gold a short distance to San Francisco for striking into coinage than it was to transport it to other US Mint facilities like Philadelphia, Carson City or New Orleans. By 1874 a larger facility was necessary and the famous “Granite Lady” was built. This facility was adequate until 1937 when the current mint facility was established. Between the years 1962 and 1988, there was no San Francisco Mint, the facility was officially designated as an assay office.
Historically, branch mints would strike coinage for regional distribution and they would strike additional coinage in the event that the Philadelphia branch was unable to supply the nation’s coinage needs. Collectors over the years have been keenly aware of lower mintage issues from various branch mints and some of these mints have acquired a certain mystique about them, like the Carson City Mint or the San Francisco Mint. Occasionally, a mint facility becomes inextricably linked with a certain series. The Carson city Mint is famous for it’s lovely, tough to find Morgan Silver Dollars. Similarly, the San Francisco Mint is forever connected to the iconic James B, Longacre designed $20 “Double Eagle” and other 19th century U.S. circulating gold coins.
In modern times the San Francisco Mint has struck some of the most popular and sought-after Proof Silver Eagles in the series. These coins are often tough to find, included in obscure sets and tend to be among the most highly prized Silver Eagles in the series.