Inside the Old San Francisco Mint

[ThatHaole]

The Old Mint, located at 88 5th Street, opened in 1874. In the 1930's, the Old Mint housed one third of the Gold reserves in the United States. There are plans to renovate the Old Mint, but no timetable has been set.



Facilities Manager Art Ferretti stands at the end of the hallway of vaults in the The Old Mint. Located at 88 5th Street


Facilities Manager Art Ferretti stands inside one of the crude gold spaces where gold ingots were stored in The Old Mint



Facilities Manager Art Ferretti stands inside of one of the vaults in the basement of The Old Mint

[ThatHaole]

Writing on the wall showing the work of the people that counted the coins in the vault of The Old Mint.



Herman Safe Company, a native San Francisco campany until the 1940's, built the vaults for the The Old Mint



Facilities Manager Art Ferretti points out the granite blocks that make up the foundation of The Old Mint. This granite came from the Lake Tahoe area, and helped the building survive the 1906 earthquake because of blocks reside on a bed sand, creating a floating foundation. These blocks led to the building acquiring the nickname "The Granite Lady."



Controls for the gas-powered lighting system, which called for one person to turn the wheel and another person to walk around the entire building, lighting each lamp.

[ThatHaole]

Controls for the gas-powered lighting system, which called for one person to turn the wheel and another person to walk around the entire building, lighting each lamp.



Facilities Manager Art Ferretti points out the effects of electrolysis on the walls of one of the vaults. The electrolysis effect of silver or gold coins touching the steel walls of the vault created coin impressions in the wall.



Facilities Manager Art Ferretti, standing in front of a photo of The Old Mint days after the 1906 Earthquake.



This photo shows the light fixtures and steel doors inside the front entrance to The Old Mint.

[ThatHaole]

Photo of a plaque commemorating the Old Mint's historical landmark status in 1977.



The mix of dust from the two defunct coal-burning smokestacks and the damp San Francisco weather have created acid rain which has eroded parts the sandstone exterior.



Pointing at the sunlight flowing into the courtyard, Facilities Manager Art Ferretti explains how The Old Mint was designed to utilize natural lighting techniques. The Architect knew the building would most likely be shuttered from the outside, allowing the courtyard to act as a lightwell.



Facilities Manager Art Ferretti explains how The Old Mint was designed to utilize natural lighting techniques.

[ThatHaole]

The mix of dust from the defunct coal-burning smokestacks and the damp San Francisco weather have created acid rain which has eroded parts the sandstone exterior.



Miners, jewelers, and dentists would frequent a long countertop inside the Processing & Receiving room. The official Mint Police force would patrol the room from the balcony looking down at all transactions happening on the floor.



Facilities Manager Art Ferretti stands next to a cast iron column inside The Old Mint


A view looking down a set of cast iron colonnade inside a room on the first floor of The Old Mint

[ThatHaole]

Facilities Manager Art Ferretti showcases a set of steel shutters once used to secure the glass windows on the building.



An unused set of steel shutters which were built to secure the glass windows on the building.



Ornate lighting fixtures adorn the ceilings and halls throughout the Old Mint building.



One of the original vaults built in 1874 storing gold before its use in the adjacent Processing & Receiving room.

[ThatHaole]

Facilities Manager Art Ferretti walks through an original 1874 vault on the first floor adjacent to the Processing & Receiving room.



Detail of the steel nuts & bolts used in the original vaults built in 1874. This vault stored gold before its use in the adjacent Processing & Receiving room.



Facilities Manager Art Ferretti explains future renovation & LEED platinum certification plans for the Old Mint Building.



This photo shows the intricate detail on the hinged doors inside the Old Mint.

[ThatHaole]

Detailed photo showing the aging walls of a room once madeover during the 1970's Federal restoration.



A view onto the courtyard inside the building which acts as a natural lightwell.






Miners, jewelers, and dentists would frequent a long countertop inside the Processing & Receiving room. The official Mint Police force would patrol the room from the balcony looking down at all transactions happening on the floor.

[ThatHaole]

Detailed photo of the railing on the balcony where the official Mint Police force would oversee all transactions happening on the processing & receiving floor.


A view looking down the hallway on the third floor- which remains unused until further restoration funds are acquired.



One of the many ornate staircases inside The Old Mint.



Just below the roof of the Old Mint building which is permanently under construction until further restoration funds are acquired.

[ThatHaole]

One of the many ornate staircases inside The Old Mint.


Photo of the intricate detail on the doorhandles inside The Old Mint


Photo of the old electricity system installed in the 1970's during the years the building was under Federal control.



Photo looking inside the Processing & Receiving room on the first floor of The Old Mint



Photo detailing the inside of the locked steel doors at the front entrance to The Old Mint