Historical Marker · No. 87
Site of First U.S. Branch Mint
San Francisco, San Francisco County · California
Erected by California Centennials Commission with the cooperation of the Society of California Pioneers, 1949
Of the three men this bronze names, the third was later charged with robbing the place. Agoston Haraszthy came in as the mint's first assayer in 1854 and became its melter and refiner the next year, in cramped quarters that investigators soon faulted for poor security and missing metal. In September 1857 he was indicted for embezzling $151,550 in gold. The criminal case was dropped, and a civil trial cleared him in February 1861. By then he had moved north to Sonoma and was planting the Buena Vista vineyard.
What the plaque says
Site of First U.S. Branch Mint The first United States branch mint in San Francisco was authorized by Congress July 3, 1852, and opened for operation April 3, 1854. Dr. L. A. Birdsall was the first superintendent; J. Huston, first minter; A. Haraszthy, first assayer. State Registered Landmark No. 87 Tablet placed by California Centennials Commission with the cooperation of the Society of California Pioneers Dedicated October 31, 1949
Where it stands
37.79424, -122.40353 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Hudson's Bay Company Headquarters — steps away
- Site of Brick Building of the Firm of Mellus and Howard — steps away
- Landing Place of Captain J. B. Montgomery — steps away
- Western Headquarters of Russell, Majors, and Waddell — steps away