Mint (money) facts for kids
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A mint is a special factory where coins are made. These coins are used as currency, which is a system of money.
When people talk about a coin being in "mint condition," it means the coin looks exactly like it did when it first left the factory. It has never been used or circulated among people.
The History of Money and Mints
For a very long time, people did not use coins as money. Instead, they used pieces of metal like rings, ornaments, or even weapons. Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians used these items for thousands of years.
Where Were the First Mints?
The very first place that might have had a mint was Lydia. This was around the 7th century BC. In Lydia, they started making coins from gold, silver, and a natural mix of gold and silver called electrum.
This new idea of making coins quickly spread to nearby Greece. Many Greek city-states then started their own mints. Some of the earliest Greek mints were on islands like Crete. For example, the ancient city of Cydonia on Crete had a mint by at least the fifth century BC.
Images for kids
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This is a Boulton 1790 Anglesey halfpenny. It was the first coin made using steam power and a special collar to make sure it was perfectly round.
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A machine from the 1800s used to make coins.
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The old San Francisco Mint, which was built in 1874.
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A furnace used to melt metal for making coins.
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A "trussell" was used with a "pile" to make hammered coins, as shown by the moneyer (coin maker) at work.
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A mill used to make "milled" coins. You can see both coin dies (the tools that stamp the design) here.
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A mill used to put designs or words on the edges of coin blanks (the plain metal pieces before they become coins).
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A Roman Denarius coin made by T. Carisius in 46 BCE. It shows the tools a moneyer would use: a die, an anvil, a hammer, and tongs.
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See also
In Spanish: Casa de moneda para niños
