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Peter, Stuffed Eagle of the Mint.

Peter, Stuffed Eagle of the Mint

Field review by the editors.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Peter the Bald Eagle was famous in life and immortalized after death. While still alive he was the unofficial mascot of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, having simply flown into the building one day and deciding to hang around.

This went on for six years in the 1830s. Peter then unwisely decided to perch on the flywheel of a coining press; it caught his wing, crippled him, and he died. The mint had Peter stuffed -- he was a good-looking bird -- and for years its engravers used his body as a convenient model whenever they had to put a bald eagle on a new U.S. coin.

Millions of Americans have carried Peter in their pockets, and he's still an attraction nearly 200 years after his awkward death.

Peter, Stuffed Eagle of the Mint

United States Mint

Address:
151 N. Independence Mall E., Philadelphia, PA
Directions:
United States Mint. In the downtown historic district. Entrance is on the east side of 5th St. just north of its intersection with Arch St. On the mezzanine floor inside the entrance at 5th and Arch Sts.
Hours:
Summer M-Sa 9-4:30, off-season M-F 9-4:30 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
215-408-0112
Admission:
Free
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

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In the region:
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