A Centennial for the Survival of the San Francisco Mint
The year 2006 marked the centennial of the Old San Francisco Mint’s survival of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. In 1906, not only did the San Francisco Mint survive a massive earthquake, but it also survived the tremendous fires that ravaged the city. The Mint survived with minimal damage and also served as San Francisco’s financial center, as virtually all the other banks were destroyed. Overall, 80% of the buildings were destroyed within the San Francisco area, but the “Granite Lady” was built to withstand. The United States Congress issued a silver dollar and a five-dollar commemorative coin to mark the occasion.
Surcharges collected from the sale of these coins were designated to the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society for the purpose of rehabilitating the Old Mint and supporting its use as a city museum and a museum of coinage and Gold Rush history.
2006 San Francisco Old Mint Silver Dollar
The San Francisco Old Mint Silver Dollar displays the left corner of the mint building. Above the Mint building on the upper periphery is the word “LIBERTY” with the phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM” above and to the left, and the dates “1906” and “2006” on two lines to the right of the building. Below the depiction of the building is “OLD MINT” and “THE GRANITE LADY.” The very bottom periphery has the inscription “INSTRUMENTAL IN SAN FRANCISCO’S RECOVERY.” The reverse of the coin is a replica of the Morgan Silver Dollar’s reverse. Around the periphery are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR.”
2006 San Francisco Old Mint Silver Dollars were struck at the San Francisco Mint in uncirculated and proof. Each version was offered separately, and the proof silver dollar was also included in the 2006 American Legacy Proof Set.
2006 San Francisco Old Mint $5 Gold Coin
The San Francisco Old Mint $5 Gold Coin depicted the portico of the San Francisco Mint building based on a 1896 drawing by architect A. B. Mullet. Charles L. Vickers designed the obverse of this coin. Above the building on the upper periphery is the word “LIBERTY,” and the dates “1906” to the left and “2006” to the right. Beneath the building is “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and the lower periphery has “SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE CENTENNIAL.”
The reverse is adapted from the classic Liberty Head half eagle design originally created by Christian Gobrecht. The central vignette is an eagle with upraised wings, and a banner above it with “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The Upper Periphery has “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” with the denomination “FIVE D.” on the lower periphery. Uncirculated and proof versions were struck at the San Francisco Mint and bear the “S” mintmark.
Add these historic coins to your collection and browse other U.S. classic silver commemorative coins and modern U.S. gold commemorative coins.
