U.S. Coins

The Coinage Act of 1792 established the dollar as the official monetary unit of the United States. To meet demand for circulating coinage under the new monetary system, the United States Mint was created, and the first coin intended for general circulation was issued in 1793--the Flowing Hair Large Cent. Billions of coins--everything from half cents to silver dollars and beyond--have since been produced in Philadelphia and several other branch mints across the country.