Authority to mint coins The manufacture of coins in the Roman culture, dating from about the 4th century BC, significantly influenced later development of coin minting in Europe. The origin of the word mint is ascribed to the manufacture of silver coin at Rome in 269 BC near the temple of Juno Moneta.

Why do they put the date on coins?

The statisticians can also use the dates: when worn-out or damaged coinage is returned for melting down and re-issue, statistical analysis of the dates can tell the government how long its coins last in circulation, and therefore helps to estimate the need for striking new coins.