Coin Type – San Francisco Old Mint Centennial – 2006

Coin Type - 2006 San Francisco Old Mint Centennial commemorative coin.

The Centennial of the (Survival of the) Old San Francisco Mint occurred in 2006. In 1906, not only did the US Mint building in San Francisco, survive a massive earthquake, it also survived the tremendous fires that ravaged the city.  

(The San Francisco Mint, 1906, shortly after the Earthquake and Fires.) 

Not only did this structure survive with minimal damage, but it also served as and became the financial center for San Francisco, as virtually all the other banks were destroyed. Overall, 80% of the buildings were destroyed but the “Granite Lady” was built to withstand whatever Mother Nature could throw at her. This Centennial was acknowledged by the United States Congress, which issued a Silver Dollar Commemorative Coin as well as a $5.00 Gold Commemorative Coin. 

The Silver Dollar commemorative coin displays the left corner of the mint building, as depicted on a medal designed by Sheryl J. Winter. Above the Mint building on the upper periphery is the word “LIBERTY” with the phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM” above and to left and the dates “1906” and “2006” on two lines to the right of the building.  

Below the depiction of the building are “OLD MINT” and “THE GRANITE LADY.” The very bottom periphery has the inscription “INSTRUMEMTAL IN SAN FRANCISCO’S RECOVERY.” 

The reverse of the coin is a copy of the reverse George T. Morgan’s famed Morgan Silver Dollar, by US Mint engraver Joe Menna. The Morgan Silver Dollar was used on silver dollar coins struck from 1878 until 1921. Around the periphery are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR.” 

(A 2006-S San Francisco Old Mint Centennial Silver Dollar, Uncirculated, Obverse {left], Reverse [right].) 

These Silver Dollars were struck, appropriately, at the San Francisco Mint, in both Uncirculated and Proof versions. Each version was offered separately, and the Proof Silver Dollar was also included in the 2006 American Legacy Proof Set. Surcharges benefitted the Old Mint as both a city museum and as a museum depicting the California Gold Rush of 1849. 

(A 2006-S San Francisco Old Mint Centennial Silver Dollar, Proof, Obverse {left], Reverse [right].) 

The $5.00 Gold Coin that was also authorized depicted the portico of the San Francisco Mint building, based on an 1896 drawing by architect A. B. Mullet. A. B. Vickers designed the obverse. 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 US Mint’s Joe Menna also designed the reverse of this coin, and it depicts a faithful rendition of designer Christian Gobrecht’s 1906 Gold Liberty Half Eagle coin.  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.  

(A 2006-S San Francisco Old Mint Centennial $5.00 Gold Coin, Uncirculated, Obverse {left], Reverse [right].) 

Both an Uncirculated and Proof versions were struck, both at the San Francisco Mint, and they bear the “S” mintmark. The surcharges went to the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society.  

(A 2006-S San Francisco Old Mint Centennial $5.00 Gold Coin, Proof, Obverse {left], Reverse [right].) 

Date Mintmark Denomination  Type Mintage Value 
2006 Silver Dollar Uncirculated 67,100 $55 
2006 Silver Dollar Proof 160,870 $60 
2006 $5.00 Gold Uncirculated 17,500 $550 
2006 $5.00 Gold Proof 44,174 $560 
2006 American Legacy  Proof Set Included $90 

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