New U.S. Mint Tour Unveiled For Independence Day - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Crafting copper, nickel and zinc into 25-million coins per day is interesting stuff.  But you wouldn't have known that by the public tour offered at the Mint. 

The presentation had grown stale since its last upgrade in 1969, and confusion over post-9/11 security restrictions led to a nearly 40% drop in visitors over the past dozen years.

"It was badly in need of repair," says Mint Public Relations Director Tom Jurkowsky."  "It didn't really portray what this place was all about."

Now, after a nearly $4 million dollar upgrade, the new Mint tour opens to the public July 3rd.  Summer hours are Monday through Saturday, 9am to 4:30pm.  Admission is free and there are no reservations needed.

Visitors will see historic artifacts dating to the American Revolution and a sense of the artistry that goes into the pocket change we all take for granted.

Medallic artist Joe Menna showed us digital sculpting on the 2013 Maryland National Park quarter he's working on.  "I can sculpt this is in software," he says,  "just as if it was in clay."

The new tour includes a bird's eye view of the massive factory floor, plus interactive displays for the kids.  Visitors can see coins made for general circulation, plus commemoratives- some of the most impressive in the world.

Lead transfer engraver Jerry Burdsall explains that "most coinage is flat." We work off a basin that allows our artist to bring the artwork up further and capture much more detail."

Mostly, say Mint officials, the new tour gives visitors a sense of the vital role of money in our growing nation.

"It has a prestige, a panache, a pride," says Jurkowsky.  "I think- if I say so myself- we have a classy presentation, now."

You may know that it costs more to make pennies and nickels than they are worth on the street.  Congress has asked the Mint to find new metals that can be used to create those coins at lower cost.