The Old Mint: then and now

1889 vs 2012 · Carson City, NV

NowThen

Then, 1889A page from an 1889 souvenir album of Nevada state buildings. The Mint was about to reopen after a four-year pause.Photo: James H. Crockwell · Public domain · Source · resized

Today, 2012The same sandstone building, now the Nevada State Museum, seen from a garden side. Photo taken in 2012, so details may have changed.Photo: Barbmathers · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source · resized

The story

The Carson City Mint opened in 1870 so Comstock silver could be turned into coins close to the mines. It struck coins in 21 separate years, and 107 different issues carry its “CC” mark.

It closed for a break in 1885, reopened in 1889, and stopped making coins for good in 1893. Later it served as a bullion depository and then an assay office.

The state bought the building in 1939, and since 1941 it has been the Nevada State Museum. Its original Coin Press No. 1 is still inside and is used to strike special “CC” medallions.

Did you know? Many Morgan dollars with the “CC” mark are rare, so coin collectors pay a big premium for them.

Historians argue about this. Most Comstock silver actually went straight to the San Francisco Mint, which is one reason the Carson City Mint never ran at full steam. The 1889 album date comes from the Commons listing.

Fact or tall tale?

Not trueThe Carson City Mint made coins every year from 1870 to 1893.
It struck coins in only 21 non-consecutive years, with a pause from 1885 to 1889.
SolidThe old Mint has been the Nevada State Museum since 1941.
Wikipedia and the museum sources agree the state bought it in 1939 and it opened as the museum in 1941.

Sources

More: Look for historic photos at the Library of Congress

Stamp it in person

Go there, answer the question that only someone standing at The Old Mint can answer, and add the stamp to your passport. Free, no sign-up.

Play Carson City

More in Carson City

Next: Stewart Indian School. Written from the cited sources, not yet walked on site unless noted.