When were the first U.S. coins made?

The first U.S. mint was established with the signing of a bill by President Washington on April 2, 1792. Before this time the early colonies had been free to mint their own money. The first mint was at Philadelphia, and the first U.S. coins were minted there in 1792.

These first American coins were called dimes and half dimes, now known to us as dimes and nickels. They were made of silver, and our newly founded country was not rich in this precious metal. The silver used to mint the first American coins was melted down from forks, spoons and other household silverware used at Mount Vernon, home of the first President.