Charlotte, NC
The Charlotte Mint came into existence on March 3, 1835 during the Carolina Gold
Rush. The United States Congress approved an Act to establish several branch mints;
the act stated, "...one branch [to be established] at the town of Charlotte, in
Mecklenburg County, in the state of North Carolina, for the coinage of gold only...".
This Act also authorized mints at Dahlonega, Georgia, and New Orleans, Louisiana,
after President Andrew Jackson signed it into law.
PRODUCTION
In 1836, construction on the Charlotte Mint began, with it opening for business
on July 27, 1837. Only raw gold was processed and refined until March 28, 1838,
when the first $5
gold half eagle was struck in Charlotte. Later that year the $2 1/2 quarter
eagles were minted, and a small gold dollar began production in 1849. All gold coinage
coming from this mint has a "C" mint mark to distinguish it from other sister mints
now in operation. Over $5 million in gold coins were issued by the Charlotte Mint.
WAR
In May, 1861, North Carolina seceded from the Union, opening the door for the Confederacy
to seize control of the Charlotte Mint. Coining operations continued until October
when it became clear it was a futile effort. It was then converted into a hospital
and military office space for the remainder of the Civil War.
Federal troops used the offices for the first few years of Reconstruction, and in
1867, the U.S. government designated it an assay office, which it operated as until
1913. The facility never regained its official status as a United States Mint.
MUSEUM
1931, the building was to be demolished to make room for the post office expansion
next door. A coalition of private citizens acquired the structure from the U.S.
Treasury Department in 1933. It was relocated a few miles south of downtown Charlotte
and in 1936, was dedicated as the Mint Museum of Art, the first art museum in North
Carolina. The building itself is now registered as a federal historic landmark.
On display are thousands of various artwork items, along with a complete collection
of all gold coins minted at the
Charlotte Mint.
Charlotte Mint gold coins are extremely rare and some of the most desired items
in numismatics today, making the museum's collection highly valuable.
Information taken from Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
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