Released for sale by the US Mint on August 15th of that year was the 2006 San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative Coins. This series was one of two commemorative coin programs offered by the Mint that year.
2006 San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative Coins (Proof)
The San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative Coin Program consisted of two different coins, each struck to both proof and uncirculated condition:
- 2006 San Francisco Old Mint $5 Gold Coin
- 2006 San Francisco Old Mint Silver Dollar
These coins were authorized by Congress with the passage of the San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 109-230) to acknowledge the important contributions made by the Old Mint facility which itself was established by Congress on July 3, 1852. It was one of the few structures to remain standing after the 1906 earthquakes and almost immediately began serving as a repository for the reconstruction of the city. Up to 100,000 of the gold coins, and 500,000 of the proof coins were authorized.
The obverse of the $5 Gold Coin shows a rendition of the Old Mint based on drawings by A.B. Mullett. The design was completed by Charles Vickers and sculpted by Joseph Menna. Also shown are the inscriptions of SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE CENTENNIAL, LIBERTY, E PLURIBUS UNUM, 1906 and 2006.
2006 San Francisco Old Mint $5 Gold Coin (Proof and Uncirculated)
For the reverse of the gold coin, a replica of the 1906 Half-Eagle Coronet Liberty eagle reverse is shown. It was originally designed by Christian Gobrecht. Surrounding the eagle are the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and FIVE D.
The silver dollar obverse features another depiction of the Old Mint building originally designed for the San Francisco Mint medal by Sherl J. Winter. Surrounding the design are the inscriptions of OLD MINT, THE GRANITE LADY, INSTRUMENTAL IN SAN FRANCISCO’S RECOVERY, LIBERTY, E PLURIBUS UNUM, 1906 and 2006.
2006 San Francisco Old Mint Silver Dollar (Proof and Uncirculated)
The reverse is a replica of George T. Morgan’s 1904 Morgan Silver Dollar eagle reverse. Also shown are the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GOD WE TRUST and ONE DOLLAR.
Surcharges collected on the sale of the strikes was forwarded to the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society.
