Two mints in San Francisco helped the city in its infancy: in the face volatility during the Gold Rush of 1849, during its rapid growth in the years following, and through its development and maturation in the early 20th Century. These mints are, of course, the city’s first mint at 608 Commercial and its second mint on Fifth and Mission Streets. In spite of disaster, deception, and the passage of time, these institutions have proven their pivotal role in making San Francisco what it is today.

Numismatic expert Scott Griffin visited the site of the city’s first mint (now the SFHS Museum). He examined coins from each mint and told the story of each institution through a coin that it produced.

About Scott Griffin

Scott Griffin has been a professional coin dealer in the SF Bay Area for over 20 years. He started the coin show at the Old SF Mint on Fifth and Mission Streets in 2009 (until 2014). He continues to operate several local coin shows, in addition to buying and selling rare coins and precious metals. He is a member of the American Numismatic Association, an authorized dealer with Professional Coin Grading Service, and is a member of several local coin clubs. He is also an amateur historian and long-time member of SFHS.