| Author |
 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,478 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
208 Posts |
So my brother is getting married in Philapelphia at the start of June. I was hopping we could tour the mint a day or two after the wedding, but the mint tour is closed until "summer 2012", according to their website  . The Philly tourism website says that the gift shop will remain open and
"This is one place where the gift shop is as good as the museum, since it has its own displays of rare and interesting coins."So to everyone who has been there.. is this true? Also would you recommend going even though the tour is closed? |
|
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I've never been there but what have you got to loose by trying. If it was me I'd go there just to see what it is all about. Of course I'd ask for any free samples.  |
|
Valued Member
United States
97 Posts |
Live on Philly and in the fall I started going every six weeks or so to the shop. I park right next to the mint on Race Street but it's right in the historic Independence Hall district so you can walk to it with ease. Took the tour when I first moved here from Maine in 1981. Yes, the tours are off for now but the gift shop is neat and the lobby has a few interesting artifacts. To view the old mint you have to go to Spring Garden Street and Community College of Philadelphia to get a gander at the old building. The new building is boring modernism. And don't forget a PHOTO ID to get through the revolving doors to the metal scanners. The gift shop is just off to the right after that.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
To view the old mint you have to go to Spring Garden Street and Community College of Philadelphia to get a gander at the old building. The new building is boring modernism. And of course the first two mint buildings no longer exist. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
What you really need to do is get them to delay the wedding until August.....so you can get to the big ANA show!   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
Yeah, the lobby and gift shop are worth the trip. Won't take long, but it's cool.
There is a ton of stuff to do in Phillly. Many GREAT art museums, the Schuykill, Independence Hall. And all easily accessible via the trolley.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2734 Posts |
At least go to the gift shop, Rewster. Quote:
And of course the first two (Philly) mint buildings no longer exist. On the Denver Mint tour, you can take your classic key coin (1914-D Cent/Nickel, 1916-D Dime, 1932-D Quarter, 1921-D Half, 1911-D Quarter Eagle) back "home" into the very same building in which it was minted! (the 1863 Assay office building is gone, but no coins were struck there) Afterward, head a few blocks north to the Federal Reserve Money Museum. 60 miles south, and worth every bit of the drive: The A.N.A. money museum. And you won't have to wait to tour the Denver Mint until summer 2012, although the tours are "reservation only" at the moment (no walk-up standby admissions). Edited by DNA
02/07/2012 11:53 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
Since the tour is closed, is it possible to see any part of the minting process from the gift shop or anywhere else?
I think it is still worth the trip, just to check out the gift shop and a few other sites in the nearby area.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1817 Posts |
The overhead galleries are on the "second floor" above and beyond two sets of escalators. I assume the landing between the escalators is closed for redo also, as there was a display of medals and all the US commemoratives ffrom the classic era. You cannot see anything from the gift shop, but it is still a worthwhile trip, they have the quarter exchange machine next to the cashier, you could conceivably get the Acadia Ps by then.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1817 Posts |
Re: the Denver Mint. You cannot take into the facility anything larger than a wallet, and you have to make a specific reversation for a guaranteed tour, walk ups are possible due to no shows, but are not guaranteed, etc. I suppose this is due to the Denver Mint being the 2nd largest repository of gold after Fort Knox. The good thing is the gift shop is on the premises but not in the building, so no going through the onerous metal detectors, and it is every bit as well stocked as the one in Philly.
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
208 Posts |
Thanks to everyone for the info. Sounds like even with the tour closed, the gift shop and whatever else isn't closed would still be pretty cool. Still a little bummed, but I think it sounds like its still worth a look. Thanks again for the feedback.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2734 Posts |
walk ups are possible due to no showsUsually, yes. Right now, no. I was just there today. The "No Stand-by: Reservations Only" signs are still up. You cannot take into the facility anything larger than a walletNot to mention the usual "secured area" prohibitions on cellphones, cameras, pocket knives, etc. But you can take your pocket change in. (on my last tour, this included my 1921 Morgan belt buckle, a 1914-D Buffalo nickel in a 2x2, and my lucky pocket-piece ASE.)
Edited by DNA
02/10/2012 11:04 pm
|
| |
Replies: 11 / Views: 1,478 |
|
Posted 02/07/2012 5:25 pm
