Gainesville in Hall County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Private Mint
⎯⎯⎯
Templeton Reid Mint

1830-1831

Photographed by David Seibert, November 1, 1990

1. First Private Mint / Templeton Reid Mint Marker

Inscription. Two hundred yards west, on the north side of Washington Street is the site of the first private mint in the United States to manufacture gold coins in dollar values. During the Georgia gold rush, trade suffered due to a shortage of sound money. There were few coins in circulation and most business was by barter. Templeton Reid (ca. 1787-1851), Milledgeville silversmith and expert machinist, saw an answer to the problem. He decided to buy raw gold, refine it and stamp coins of proven value, acceptable in any transaction. In 1830 he came to Gainesville, Georgia and opened an assay office. With machines and dies of his design and make he began to strike coins of $2.50, $5.00, and $10.00 denominations. Although questioned by many, this was legal under the U.S. Constitution. The business was not profitable and closed in 1831. The Reid gold coins minted in Gainesville are extremely rare and are eagerly sought by collectors.

Erected 1979 by Hall County Historical Society. (Marker Number HCHS-2.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 34° 17.963′ N,

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83° 49.624′ W. Marker is in Gainesville, Georgia, in Hall County. It is on Washington Street 0 miles east of Main Street, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located in the town square. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gainesville GA 30501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Metro Atlanta.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.D.C. Confederate Soldiers Monument (a few steps from this marker); The Historic Jackson Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Federal Building (about 400 feet away); Dedicated to the Veterans of 1898 - 1902

Photographed by David Seibert, November 28, 2009

2. First Private Mint / Templeton Reid Mint Marker

(about 500 feet away); Lyman Hall (about 600 feet away); Lt.-Gen. James Longstreet (about 600 feet away); George Washington (about 600 feet away); Henry O. Ward (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gainesville.

Photographed by David Seibert, November 28, 2009

3. First Private Mint / Templeton Reid Mint Marker

The marker with the Hall County Confederate Monument in the background

Hall County/Gainesville Confederate Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, November 28, 2009

4. Hall County/Gainesville Confederate Monument

For "Our Confederate Soldiers" (on the base)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,466 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 31, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 23, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

First Private Mint⎯⎯⎯Templeton Reid Mint

1830-1831

First Private Mint
⎯⎯⎯
Templeton Reid Mint