Photo taken at The Franklin Institute.
One of the highlights of my summer was our family trip to Philadelphia. If ever there was a perfect place to immerse yourself in American history, this city has got to be it!
With everything our country is going through right now, I can't help but think that we all need to just rewind for a few moments and think about why we're all here. When we bump into a Ben Franklin statue a few times, just the thought of all he did for this country should help us put things back into perspective.
Many of us are thinking a lot about money these days, and most of us handle coins every day without the blink of an eye. After all, one quarter is the same as any other, right? Well, we all know there are state quarters, but how much do you really know about the who, what, why, where, and when of their production?
The best place to learn about it is at The US Mint in Philadelphia. I wish I had pictures to share of it, but no photographs are allowed inside The Mint, and shiny coins don't come out too well in photos anyway. So, to take a photographic tour of the coin making process, I recommend you view The United States Mint Virtual Tour Slide Show. A shorter, animated version for young children can also be viewed at The United States Mint H.I.P. Pocket Change site.
Please note that there are other facilities of The US Mint, including one in Denver, Colorado. Tours are given there as well.
It's truly amazing how much goes into the production of different coins. Every detail has to be planned out, designed, created, and produced. When you actually see some of the many different coins and medals produced at The United States Mint, along with the history behind them, it gives you a whole new appreciation for not only the people who designed them, but for the people who are pictured on them. You realize that holding a coin is like holding a piece of the past and the present at the same time.
I'll tell you about a great hands-on activity that was inspired by this trip tomorrow. Let me just add one more thing, though. If you do make this trip, be sure to visit the National Constitution Center, which is right near The US Mint. There you will find the unforgettable multimedia production of the "Story of We, the People." It's truly not to be missed.
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If you've visited Philadelphia and would like to share your experiences, please feel free to do so!