The year 2012 marks some major milestones in the history of American money!  We celebrate our coinage and the people who guided its development and the part they played in Making American History.

As part of this celebration, the United States Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing – the sole producers of our Nation’s legal tender coins and paper currency – have collaborated to offer the Making American History Coin and Currency Set. The set includes one 2012 American Eagle Silver Proof Coin and one Series 2009 $5 note.  Learn more and purchase.

History Made

220 Years Ago
The United States Mint was established by an Act of Congress on April 2, 1792.  Learn more with our historical timeline, interactive timeline, and kids’ interactive timeline.  Celebrate with the United States Mint birthday animation.

150 Years Ago
In 1862, the Treasury Department was authorized to engrave and print currency.  This led to the creation of The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP).  Learn more at moneyfactory.gov and see moneyfactory.gov/historytimeline for a historical timeline.

75 Years Ago
The San Francisco and Fort Knox facilities opened and construction of the West Point facility began.

History Makers
Watch this video to learn how the women of the United States Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing have been "Making American History" through the years.



Below is a list of historical figures that circulating coins and currency have in common as well as activities relating to coins.  Visit the BEP’s site for activities relating to currency.

Elder Statesmen

Benjamin Franklin
Designer of the Continental Dollar and bust on half dollar.

• Collection of lesson plans
• 2006 commemorative coins
• Franklin’s Try-N-Fly game
• Half dollar Coin of the Month
• Fugio cent library entry

Alexander Hamilton
First Secretary of the Treasury.

• Timeline entry 
• Hamilton library entry 
• Constitution Day
• Era history

Former Presidents

George Washington
First President and bust on quarter.

• 2006 Quarter lesson plans, grades K through 6
• Circulating quarter
• Presidential $1 Coin
• Washington ship halfpenny Coin of the Month
• Washington ship halfpenny library entry

Thomas Jefferson
Early proponent of decimal coinage and bust on nickel.

• Presidential $1 Coin
• Presidential $1 Coin of the Month
• Jefferson nickel
• Jefferson’s Peace Medal
• Middle school lesson plan
• Teacher Feature

Abraham Lincoln
Bust on penny.

• One-Cent Coin (Penny)
• 2003 Illinois quarter lesson plans, grades K through 6
• 2009 Lincoln commemorative dollar
• 2009 Lincoln commemorative dollar Coin of the Month
• 2009 Lincoln Cents
• 2009 Lincoln birthplace Coin of the Month
• Lincoln Bicentennial lesson plans, grades K through 6
• Lincoln Presidential $1 Coin
• Lincoln Presidential $1 Coin of the Month

Theodore Roosevelt
Champion of updating American coin designs.

• Working with St. Gaudens
• North Dakota quarter
• 2006 South Dakota quarter lesson plans, grades K through 6

Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Great Depression President and bust on dime.

• Roosevelt lesson plan
• Dime Coin of the Month
• Era history and gold standard

Other Presidents
See other presidents on coinage such as Andrew Jackson and Ulysses S. Grant on the Presidential Coins page.

Historical Figures in Common
Many historical figures have been represented on both coins and currency.