In Nevada’s high desert, where silver shaped the American West, the Carson City Mint opened in 1870. The coins it struck bore a lasting mark: CC. More than a century later, the historic Mint and its original machinery are again part of American numismatic history. Through an exclusive partnership between GOVMINT and the Nevada State Museum, collectors can own commemoratives marking the Mint’s 155th anniversary and its Wild West legacy.
In Nevada’s high desert, where silver shaped the American West, the Carson City Mint opened in 1870. The coins it struck bore a lasting mark: CC. More than a century later, the historic Mint and its original machinery are again part of American numismatic history. Through an exclusive partnership between GOVMINT and the Nevada State Museum, collectors can own commemoratives marking the Mint’s 155th anniversary and its Wild West legacy.
The Carson City Mint was a branch of the United States Mint established in 1863, but not operational until 1870, to serve the western silver boom fueled by Nevada’s Comstock Lode. Transporting raw silver across the country was costly and risky, making a local mint essential for converting precious metals into coinage.
The Mint operated under the leadership of Mint Superintendent Abraham “Abe” Curry and struck its first coin in February 1870: a Seated Liberty Silver Dollar. From that moment forward, coins bearing the CC mintmark entered circulation and quickly became symbols of the American frontier.
Coin production continued until 1893, after which the building took on new roles, officially closing in 1899. Today, the historic structure is preserved as part of the Nevada State Museum, where visitors can explore exhibits dedicated to Nevada history and American coinage.
Coin Press No. 1 was built in 1869 by Morgan & Orr of Philadelphia for the opening of the Carson City Mint. The press was powered by steam and could produce up to 100 coins per minute, an impressive achievement for its era.
Coin Press No. 1 struck the Mint’s very first CC coins and remained central to operations during the early years of production. After a mechanical failure in 1878, it was repaired by engineers from the nearby Virginia & Truckee Railroad and remained in service until the Mint stopped striking coinage in 1893.
After the closure, the press was converted from steam power to electric and traveled across the country, spending time in Philadelphia and San Francisco. In the 1950s, the press was nearly scrapped, saved only when a local observer recognized the Virginia & Truckee Railroad builder’s plate and alerted the Nevada State Museum. The press was ultimately returned to Carson City when the museum acquired it from the U.S. Mint for just $225.
The press was reactivated during the Kennedy administration to address a national coin shortage and spent four years at the Denver Mint, striking more than 118 million coins. It returned home in 1967 and remains operational today at the Nevada State Museum as the only original Carson City Mint press still capable of striking coins.
Between 1870 and 1893, the Carson City Mint produced gold and silver coins that reflected the wealth of the Comstock Lode and the needs of a growing western economy. Particularly notable are the Mint’s famed CC Morgan Silver Dollars.
The Mint also struck Seated Liberty Dollars, $10 Gold Eagles, $5 Gold Eagles, $20 Double Eagles, and smaller denominations used in everyday commerce. Coins from Carson City are prized by collectors for their relative scarcity, ties to the American frontier, and the unmistakable CC mintmark.
To mark 155 years since the Mint’s founding, GOVMINT partnered with the Nevada State Museum to create a special series of non-legal tender commemoratives inspired by the original designs struck in 1870. Each piece is dual-dated 1870–2025 and bears a distinctive anniversary privy mark honoring the Mint.
All commemoratives in this collection were struck at the historic Carson City Mint, with half-ounce gold pieces produced on the original Coin Press No. 1, making this a unique opportunity to acquire modern tributes rooted in authentic American numismatic history.
The very first coin struck at the Carson City Mint is honored through this one-ounce silver commemorative based on Chief Engraver Christian Gobrecht’s original Seated Liberty design. Minted in 99.9% fine silver, it is limited to just 3,000 pieces and features a special 155th Anniversary privy mark.
The half-ounce gold Liberty Eagle pays tribute to Gobrecht’s classic gold design. Struck in 99.99% pure gold, this commemorative was produced on the legendary Coin Press No. 1. Its mintage is limited to just 750 pieces.
Based on James B. Longacre’s iconic Double Eagle, this one-ounce gold piece honors one of the most recognized gold coin designs of the nineteenth century. The Double Eagle commemorative was struck from one ounce of 99.99% fine gold and has a limited mintage of just 200 pieces.
On October 6, 2025, Coin Press No. 1 was reactivated for a First Strike Ceremony held at the Carson City Mint. Two-time former U.S. Mint Director and GOVMINT ambassador David J. Ryder and Nevada Congressman Mark Amodei attended the event. Both Ryder and Amodei personally struck medals and reflected on the Mint’s role in American numismatics.
The celebration continued with an official release reception on November 13 at the Nevada State Museum’s Numismatic Exhibit. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo attended the event and recognized the partnership for honoring a defining chapter in the state’s history.
These commemorative medals were struck at the original Carson City Mint, connecting them directly to the birthplace of CC coinage. The half-ounce gold issue was produced on Coin Press No. 1, the very same machine that struck the first Carson City coins in 1870.
The collection commemorates a significant anniversary and revives historic designs tied to the Comstock Lode and the Wild West. Limited mintages and museum-backed authenticity add to their long-term appeal.
This commemorative program represents a rare collaboration between a leading numismatic distributor and one of Nevada’s most important cultural institutions. The Nevada State Museum continues its mission to preserve the history of the Carson City Mint, while GOVMINT brings that history to collectors through carefully produced modern issues.
This partnership honors the craftsmanship, innovation, and legacy of the Carson City Mint for a new generation of collectors.
