Denver Mint Building Exterior
Established by an Act of Congress in 1862, the first Denver Mint opened for business in 1863 as an Assay Office only. The design and construction of a full-fledged mint (pictured here) began under Supervising Architect William Martin Aiken in 1896 and was completed under his successor, John Knox Taylor.
Elevation drawing the of proposed design of the post office in Clarksville, TN by Treasury Department Supervising Architect William Aiken. The design differs from the typical classical designs of many federal buildings and demonstrates the flexibility the Supervising Architect's office had to try and create a building best suited to it's location.
Denver Mint - Villard House Architectural Influence
Villard House in New York by the architecture firm McKim, Mead and White c. 1884. This palatial residence in NYC along with the Boston Public Library c. 1887 established the classicism of an Italian Renaissance revival as the dominant style for major public buildings. This style was on full display throughout the buildings of the 1893 World Columbian Exhibition in Chicago, creating the so-called "White City".
Denver Mint and city skyline
Villard House in New York by the architecture firm McKim, Mead and White c. 1884. This palatial residence in NYC along with the Boston Public Library c. 1887 established the classicism of an Italian Renaissance revival as the dominant style for major public buildings. This style was on full display throughout the buildings of the 1893 World Columbian Exhibition in Chicago, creating the so-called "White City".
Denver Mint building addition during construction, c.1935
The Historic American Buildings Survey report of 1972 states, "As one of two United States coinage Mints in operation at this date [the early 1900s], the Denver Mint can easily be defined in terms of national significance. Within the context of local history, however, the Mint has played an equally significant role, symbolizing continuity in the development of Denver from a frontier mining center to a major metropolitan area." This story echoes the fortunes of Carson City , where similar rapid growth in the 1860s prompted the building of a mint in that city. Although Nevada ’s mint would eventually close, Denver ’s remains in operation today, and supports public tours of its facilities to demonstrate the process of minting coins and to educate the public about the building and its role in the city’s history.
Drawing of Denver Mint chandelier light fixture
An ink and colored pencil rendering of a chandelier design for the Denver Mint by the Treasury Department Supervising Architect John Knox Taylor. (National Archives)
Denver Mint Building Exterior
Established by an Act of Congress in 1862, the first Denver Mint opened for business in 1863 as an Assay Office only. The design and construction of a full-fledged mint (pictured here) began under Supervising Architect William Martin Aiken in 1896 and was completed under his successor, John Knox Taylor.