Director of the Mint. The highest United States government official responsible for the manufacture of American coins and medals (and for the storage of bullion). The Director of the Mint is in charge of the United States Mint (called bureau of the mint, 1873-1984), which operates production mints, assay offices and bullion depositories. The Director is appointed by the president for five year terms (since 1973); there have been 18 such Directors (1873-1984). Previously the title was Superintendent of the Mint and there were 12 of these (1792-1873). All but nine of these have had portrait medal issued as a director or superintendent.