The E-Sylum:  Volume 6, Number 2, January 12, 2003, Article 6

SAN FRANCISCO MINT VISIT

  Numismatic researchers and writers Richard Kelly & Nancy
  Oliver write: "On January 10th, 2003 we got a unique
  opportunity to receive a tour of the third San Francisco Mint
  while it was in the process of making the 2003 Proof Sets for
  sale to the public.

  The third SF Mint is not open to the public for tours so we
  jumped on the chance for a tour when it was offered to us.
  A gentleman we know arranged it for us and gave the tour
  personally. It was an enriching experience to say the least.

  Our tour began with the outside of the facility, with its thick
  walls of granite to the upper facade where large concrete
  representations of each commemorative coin made by the
  mint circle the roof.   Inside, we were shown where the
  blanks for the proof sets arrive, massive vault doors, the
  storage bins for the blanks for all denominations and then
  the mint operations.

  We were right there with our guide on the floor where all
  the planchet making operation is conducted. In fact, he
  reached his hand into the turning burnishing bin and showed
  us several newly polished dollar blanks. We saw the upset
  mills, and the storage of newly made planchets. But, what
  we saw next gave us a deep appreciation of the delicate and
  hard work involved in making every proof coin as perfect
  as possible.

  The SF mint receives all its dies from Philadelphia unpolished,
  so all the work of polishing and chrome plating has to be done
  in SF.  The work involved in this, not only includes the
  polishing and plating of each die, but the intricate microscopic
  work required to remove any excess metal or plating in the
  crevices of each and every die. The dozen or so workers in
  this room labor over the small detail of their work for 8 hours
  per day. Perfection was the key and these workers were very
  intent on their task.   With protective ear plugs, we entered the
  press room where we watched as the massive presses stamped
  out beautifully frosted, double struck coins.  Near each press
  operator was a bag of reject coins, but the ones we were
  shown had but smears and light scratches on them. Perfection
  was also the key here.

  Lastly, we saw the packaging process of each 2003 proof set
  as they made their way down several conveyor belts that made
  loops and stops as they inserted each individual denomination
  by machine. Then the filled sets arrived at the sealing operation
  to eventually be placed into their final packaging to all be sent
  out to Tennessee for final processing and shipping.

  All the people we met during our tour were friendly and were
  more than willing to answer any questions we might have
  concerning their department.  The tour was an eye-opening
  event for us both.  And we left with a deeper appreciation of
  the hard work involved in making proof coins for the public."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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