US Airways - February 2014 - (Page 22)

Diversions explore Even if you've never been to the city, you probably have a souvenir of Philadelphia in your pocket. Pull out your loose change and look closely at the face of each coin, just to the right of Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, or Washington. A small raised "P" on the nickels, dimes, and quarters is the signature of the United States Mint in Philadelphia, the largest coin factory in the world. Here, change is more than just currency. It's history, art, and science. ★ Change Agents A behind-the-scenes tour of the world's largest coin factory: the United States Mint in Philadelphia. By April White Worthy Pursuits THE PHILADELPHIA MINT 151 North Independence Mall East Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. usmint.gov/ mint_tours/ 1. 2. 3. On the factory floor, the mint appears as though it could be manufacturing anything - until you see coins pouring out like you just hit triple 7s in a Vegas slot machine. At the mint, machines punch "blanks" out of copper and nickel and soften them in a furnace. These little blank circles will become coins. It all starts with a drawing. On one board, an artist sketches a father and son playing at the Colorado Great Sand Dunes - part of a series of national park quarters. Using plaster and clay, artists add a third dimension to the dunes. Their sculpture has intricate lines that capture the constant shifting of the sands. 4. Through the magic of Photoshop, the image becomes a digital rendering. 5. The coin design is cut into a master "hub," a steel cylinder that works like a rubber stamp to ensure each coin is exactly the same. 6. For a series of gold collector's coins, artists sculpt portraits of former first ladies for the "heads" side. But the reverse sides are equally elaborate. For example, Edith Wilson's coin features a detailed image of the White 7. The blanks are struck on the heads and tails sides simultaneously, creating a coin - for pennies, at a rate of 750 a minute per press. 22 FEBRUARY 2014 usairwaysmag.com House and a branch of roses to commemorate her establishment of the Rose Garden. PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNITED STATES MINT The hub is pressed with hundreds of tons of pressure to create a negative image, called a "die," which will be used to strike each coin. http://www.usmint.gov/mint_tours/ http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - February 2014

Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Diversions: Public Markets
Diversions: Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale
Diversions: The Philadelphia Mint
Connections
Style Spotlight: Cruise Control
Adventure: Skiing Salt Lake City
Adventure: Arizona Wet & Wild
Gear Up: Workout Tools
US Airways: History of African Americans in Aviation
Travel Feature: Eleuthera in the Bahamas
Great Tastes: Phoenix Dining
University of California at San Diego
Celebrate Black History Month: HBCUs
Best of Health: Desert Institute for Spine Care
Best of Health: Miami Beach Foot & Ankle Surgery
Visit Tri-Valley, California
Must Read: I'll Take You There by Greg Kot
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Giving: The Hope Takes Flight Campaign
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - February 2014