铸币厂(mint)

经济学中指通常由法律指定的，规定按照的准确的化学成分、重量和尺寸制造钱币的部门。第一个国家铸币厂可能是由里底亚人於西元前7世纪建立的。这种技术通过爱琴岛传播到义大利和其他地中海国家，甚至波斯和印度。罗马人奠定了现代铸币标准的基础。西元前7世纪，中国独立地建起了铸币业并传到日本和朝鲜。在中世纪的欧洲，各个封建统领（国王、伯爵、主教、自由城）都行使铸币特权，使得铸币厂数量激增。币制的差异往往导致了商业的畸形。如今除了美国在费城和丹佛各有一家铸币厂外，绝大多数国家都只有一家铸币厂。在旧金山铸造的是供收藏家选用的成套标定硬币。至於用量不大不值得自设铸币厂的一些小国，可由国外铸币厂铸造硬币。许多铸币厂除完成铸币任务外，还提炼贵重金属、制造奖章和印玺。参见currency和money。

English version：

mint

In economics, a place where coins are made according to exact compositions, weights, and dimensions, usually specified by law. The first state mint was probably established by the Lydians in the 7th century BC. The art spread through the Aegean Islands into Italy and other Mediterranean countries, as well as to Persia and India. The Romans laid the foundations of modern minting standards. Coining originated independently in China in the 7th century BC and spread to Japan and Korea. In medieval Europe, mints proliferated as every feudal authority—kings, counts, bishops, and free cities—exercised the mint privilege; the wide variation in coinage that resulted often handicapped commerce. Most countries now operate only one mint, though the U.S. has two active mints, in Philadelphia and Denver. Proof sets of coins for coin collectors are minted in San Francisco. Countries not large or prosperous enough to establish a national mint have their coins struck in foreign mints. Many mints perform functions other than minting, notably refining precious metals and manufacturing medals and seals. See also currency, money.