When the U.S. Mint in Denver opened in 1906, horses pulled buggies on unpaved streets and the operation produced about 167 million gold and silver coins.
The average worker made $13 a day and worked 59 hours a week, according to David Lebryk, acting director of the Mint.
Since then, the building has undergone seven additions and produces as many as 30 million alloy coins a day.
And this year it will produce the commemorative Colorado quarter.
A ceremony Wednesday marked the Mint’s 100th anniversary, and 550 current and former employees who attended reminisced about the changes.
Fletcher Johnson hadn’t been in the Mint since he retired in 1977.
He was impressed by what he saw.
“I imagined that in time everything here would go high-tech,” Johnson said. “It’s gone beyond my expectations.
“When I was here, they had a melting room and rolling room where they rolled out the metal, and a cutting and press room. The different departments were all on the first floor. Now none of the old equipment is in use. Everything is new.”
Speeches were made and a time capsule was filled with a set of 2006 uncirculated coins minted in Denver and a scroll signed by every current employee.
Nora Hussey, superintendent of the U.S. Mint at Denver from 1981 to 1987, said she was disappointed by the loss of some of the historical equipment in the building, but was excited to be reacquainted with former employees.
“Today was very lovely, but it could have been very emotional for me,” Hussey said. “Some challenged me to remember (what department) they worked in.”
Hussey recalled that some employees met and married while working for the Mint, adding that now some of their children give tours.
Karen Sue, who has worked as a Mint secretary for 25 years, said one thing that separates the Mint from other establishments is the closeness and commitment of the employees, many of whom work together 35 to 40 years.
“There’s a sense of family,” Sue said. “Many employees work here their entire careers.”
Staff writer Katherine Crowell can be reached at kcrowell@denverpost.com.
167 MILLION A YEAR
Number of gold and silver coins
minted in 1906, the Mint’s first year.
30 MILLION A DAY
Number of all types of coins that the
Mint now can produce daily.
