The New Mint Building.
The old United States Mint, for so many years in the crowded and expensive neighborhood on Chestnut Street in this city, is to be torn down and removed to Spring Garden and Sixteenth streets, about one mile north of its present location. Strong efforts were made to get the Mint removed to Washington when it was found necessary to build a new one. Even Chicago and New York tried to get it away from here. But five years ago a whole square was purchased for its site, and Philadelphia breathed easier.
The new Mint will have a main entrance on Spring Garden Street. It will be in the form of a hollow square, giving a court-yard open to the sky. It is to have a terrace balustrade constructed of granite. Above it the material will be marble. The style is severely plain classic, and the design as shown on paper is far from pleasing. In the plan is provided a spacious room for the coin museum, which many readers have doubtless seen in the old building. It is by far the finest collection of old coins in the world, outside of the British Museum. Work upon the new Mint building is expected to begin next spring.
Fred B. Biddle.
Philadelphia.