Former Site of the Central Mint

Former Site of the Central Mint

The former site of the Central Mint is a protected cultural heritage site of Shanghai.

The former site of the Central Mint, now known as the Shanghai Mint, is located at No. 17 Guangfu West Road. Construction began in 1922 after approval by the Beiyang Government and was completed in 1930. Covering an area of 7,958 square meters, it preserves historical buildings including the original coin minting plant (office building section), water tower, auxiliary warehouse, and the original gate pillars.

The minting plant was built in 1922, designed by Thompson, Atkinson & Co. (通和洋行) and constructed by Yao Xinji Construction Company (姚新记营造厂). It was modeled after the Philadelphia Mint in the United States, with a total floor area of 4,456.84 square meters and a reinforced concrete structure. The central part has three floors, while both ends have two. The main entrance portico rises to the second floor, supported by Ionic columns and topped with a triangular pediment, flanked by full-height Ionic pilasters extending to the second floor. The building features square windows and a pebble-dashed exterior wall. The minting plant was designated as one of Shanghai’s second batch of Outstanding Historical Buildings in 1994; the minting plant, water tower, and auxiliary warehouse were listed among the first batch of immovable cultural relics registered in Putuo District in 2004. In 2014, it was included in Shanghai’s municipal-level protected cultural heritage sites.