In 1906, Denver started minting coin with the mint mark “D”, but there was another US mint with that mint mark before Denver. Dahlonega, GA would be the site of the United States first gold rush, 20 years before Sutter’s Mill in California. With the slogan “It’s Pure Gold”, Dahlonega has become a popular tourist attraction, just one hour north of Atlanta.
Brief History 
The area around Dahlonega was originally home to the Cherokee and Creek Indians. The Cherokee named it Talonega meaning yellow, though it was spelled Dalonige. In 1828, Benjamin Parks, who was hunting a couple of miles south of present day Dahlonega, tripped over a rock which would turn out to be gold. Within a year of this initial discovery, over 15,000 miners would clear out the gold. These miners were illegally mining the gold because the land belong to the Cherokee as described in the Treaty of Washington 1819. After hearing arguments from the miners, the US Government would move the Cherokee to modern Oklahoma. The State of Georgia founded Talonega in 1833, renaming it Dahlonega in 1837.
With gold being found in Georgia as well as North Carolina, it was decided to build new US Mint branches instead having people go to Philadelphia. In 1838, the Dahlonega mint opened to produce only Gold Coins. To distinguish between which mint certain coins were being produced, a mint mark was added to Dahlonega coins. A “D” mint mark would be added to the coins, mostly on the reverse. The annual production of Gold Coins
minted there was significantly less than Philadelphia, making their coins more sought after. Dahlonega would mint coins until the beginning of the Civil War in 1861. After the Civil War, it was decided not to reopen the Charlotte or Dahlonega mints. By then, San Francisco was also minting gold coins as well as Philadelphia, and with the Intercontinental Railroad completed in 1869, there was no need to reopen them. The building would be bought by North Georgia College in 1873, but would burn down in 1878.
Dahlonega Today
As of the 2010 Census, Dahlonega was a population of 5,242, but get a lot of tourists visiting the area. Besides being known for their gold, it is also known as the Heart of Georgia’s Wine Country. A number of vineyards and wineries have sprouted out in the area and many people go for their wine tastings.
At the Public Square is the Dahlonega Gold Museum. The building was the original country courthouse from 1836 to 1965. You can also visit some of the gold mines around the area. This is also “Gold Rush Days” festival which occurs in October.
In place of the original mint building is the Price Memorial Hall, which still belongs to North Georgia College. In memory of the mint is a gold steeple.
Would Like to Visit Dahlonega Someday
One of my goals is to visit every mint location in the Continental US. Granted, there is no more US mint building in Dahlonega, but still would like to see the gold exhibits and gold mines. Maybe even attend the “Gold Rush Days” festival. Would you consider visiting Dahlonega?
For the longest time I did not realize there was another “D” mint that was not Denver!
It’s amazing the first gold rush in Dahlonega was 20 years before the California gold rush. It’s sad but not surprising that Native Americans were moved from their land to a reservation in Oklahoma even after the treaty was signed.
It would be very interesting to visit the town and see the old exhibits and mines. The history of the USA was founded on the backs of these early Americans.
Interesting post. Thanks!
Britt
Thanks Britt! You don’t hear much about US gold before California, but they found it in North Carolina and Georgia before the discovery out west. It’s amazing what I’ve learn now as opposed to when I was in school 30 years ago. Back then, you didn’t hear about what the US did to the Native Americans or about Christopher Columbus after he discovered America. It boggles the mind.
Hey, nice blog! Money (historical) has always been of interest to me and this site just added to that interest. It might not be the sexiest subject ever, but it examines the stuff which has formed all civilisations, so pretty important! I hope you are able to visit Dahlonega some day – I’m sure you will find your way there soon 🙂 Keep up the good work! Thanks
Thanks Eli! Money has been an important part of civilizations, going back to ancient times. I am enjoying doing this blog because I have learned more about US coins and now want to visit those places where they were made.
I would surely love to visit Dahlonega, after what you have said about it , it surely interests me and I want to see the Gold exhibits too.
What else do they have in the exhibits apart from coins?
And what is the Gold Rush Days?Is it some sort of carnival because that would be really fun to attend.
I haven’t been yet, but I would guess gold is the main exhibit since gold is what built that area. The Gold Rush Days is an annual festival celebrating the discovery of gold there.