The first Philadelphia Mint's presses were hand-operated, with the other equipment powered by humans or horses. The typical coining press in use at the Mint was the screw press, powered by human muscle. The first steam-powered equipment was installed June 24, 1816. Further mechanization came in 1833, when the second Philadelphia Mint was opened. The man-powered screw presses were replaced with steam-powered coining presses in the 1830s.
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