How Many Mint Marks Are There on U.S. Coins?

A mint mark is a small letter or symbol stamped on a U.S. coin that indicates its manufacturing location. This mark helps pinpoint the specific branch of the United States Mint responsible for striking that coin.

Understanding Mint Marks

Mint marks serve several functions. They were initially introduced to help the U.S. Mint with quality control and to hold specific facilities accountable for their production. If a batch of coins had an issue, the mint mark allowed officials to trace it back to the exact location where it was struck. This system ensured that each facility adhered to the required specifications and maintained the integrity of the coinage.

The practice of using mint marks began in the United States after the Coinage Act of 1835. Before this, the Philadelphia Mint was the sole producer of U.S. coins, so no distinguishing mark was needed. As new branch mints opened, the necessity for these identifiers became clear. Today, mint marks provide a historical record, allowing collectors and numismatists to understand a coin’s journey.

Current and Historical US Mint Marks

The United States has utilized several mint marks throughout its history, representing various coin production facilities. Currently, four active U.S. Mint facilities place marks on coinage. The “P” signifies coins produced at the Philadelphia Mint, which historically often did not include a mint mark on most circulating coins until 1980. The “D” denotes coins from the Denver Mint, a major producer of circulating coinage for the western United States.

The “S” mint mark is for the San Francisco Mint, which primarily manufactures proof and commemorative coins, though it produced circulating coins extensively in the past. The “W” represents the West Point Mint, known for striking bullion and commemorative issues. These four marks indicate the primary centers of U.S. coin production in modern times.

Historically, several other mint marks were used for facilities that are no longer operational. The “CC” mark identifies coins from the Carson City Mint, which primarily struck silver coins. The “O” stands for the New Orleans Mint, which produced both gold and silver coins. The “C” mark was used for the Charlotte Mint and the “D” mark for the Dahlonega Mint; both of these produced only gold coinage. The Dahlonega “D” mark is distinct from the modern Denver “D” because the Dahlonega Mint ceased operations decades before the Denver Mint began coining.

Locating Mint Marks on Coins

The placement of a mint mark on a U.S. coin can vary depending on the coin’s denomination, series, and year of mintage. For coins produced before 1968, the mint mark was found on the reverse, or “tails” side. Since 1968, the U.S. Mint moved the mint mark to the obverse, or “heads” side, of most circulating coins.

Common locations include above the date, below the eagle, or near a specific design element on either side. On many modern coins, the mint mark is to the right of the portrait or near the year. It is a small, single letter, but its exact position requires careful inspection of the coin.