In the United States, a mint mark is a small letter or symbol stamped on a coin to indicate where it was produced.
- P: Philadelphia
- D: Denver
- S: San Francisco
- W: West Point
- C: Charlotte, North Carolina (only on gold coins, 1838-1861)
- D: Dahlonega, Georgia (only on gold coins, 1838-1861)
- O: New Orleans (1838-1861, 1879-1909)
- CC: Carson City, Nevada (1870-1893)
- M: Manila, Philippines (1920-1941)
- Coins without a mint mark: Before 1980 (with exceptions like the 1942-1945 wartime nickels and the Susan B. Anthony dollar introduced in 1979), coins produced in Philadelphia generally did not have a mint mark. If a coin lacks a mint mark, especially older ones, it’s likely from Philadelphia.
- Mint mark location: Mint marks are usually located on the obverse (front) of the coin, but this can vary depending on the coin’s denomination and series. Before 1968, they were generally found on the reverse (back).
- Identifying mint marks: Mint marks can be small and might require a magnifying glass to locate, especially on older coins where they may be worn. Coin reference guides can be helpful in locating mint marks on different types of coins.
- Value and rarity: The presence of a mint mark can significantly affect a coin’s rarity and value, as different mints had varying production numbers.
By understanding these distinctions, coin collectors can better appreciate the history, rarity, and value of their US coin collections.
What are the mint marks for US coins?
A small letter or symbol on a coin used to identify where a coin was made. Current U.S. mint marks are P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco), and W (West Point).