What Is a Mint Mark on a Nickel and Where to Find It?

A mint mark on a nickel is a small letter that indicates the United States Mint facility where the coin was produced. These marks serve as an identifier, linking a specific coin to its place of origin.

Understanding Mint Marks

A mint mark is a small letter or symbol stamped on a coin during its manufacturing process. The primary purpose of these marks is to identify the specific minting facility responsible for its creation. The use of mint marks on U.S. coinage began with the passage of the Act of March 3, 1835, which established the first branch mints. Before this act, the Philadelphia Mint was the sole national mint, rendering individual mint marks unnecessary for most coins. Typically, mint marks appear as single letters, such as “P,” “D,” or “S,” representing different mint locations.

Locating Mint Marks on Nickels

The physical location of a mint mark on a nickel can vary depending on the coin’s specific series and the year it was minted. For Jefferson Nickels produced from 1938 until 1964, the mint mark is typically found on the reverse side of the coin, to the right of Monticello, near the rim. This placement was standard for coins from the Denver (“D”) and San Francisco (“S”) Mints during this period.

A notable exception occurred during World War II, from 1942 to 1945, when “War Nickels” were struck with a different alloy. On these coins, the mint mark, including the newly introduced “P” for Philadelphia, was prominently placed on the reverse, directly above the dome of Monticello.

After 1968, the mint mark on Jefferson Nickels moved to the obverse side of the coin, appearing below the date, near Thomas Jefferson’s portrait.

It is also important to note that many nickels, especially those minted in Philadelphia for extended periods, do not feature a mint mark. This absence typically indicates production at the Philadelphia Mint, which historically did not use a “P” mint mark on most circulating coinage until later dates, with the wartime nickels being a significant exception.

Interpreting Nickel Mint Marks

The “P” mint mark signifies coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint. While Philadelphia historically did not mark its circulating coins, the “P” mark uniquely appeared on “War Nickels” from 1942 to 1945 and then on nickels again starting in 1980.

The “D” mint mark indicates production at the Denver Mint, which has been striking coins since 1906. The “S” mint mark designates coins from the San Francisco Mint, active in coin production from 1854, though its nickel production has varied significantly over the decades.

More recently, a “W” mint mark for the West Point Mint has appeared on certain collector-oriented nickels, such as those issued in 2020.

The specific mint mark on a nickel can provide historical context and sometimes influence its perceived rarity among collectors. For instance, the “P” mint mark on a 1942-1945 War Nickel signifies its unique silver-copper-manganese composition, making these coins distinct from standard copper-nickel nickels.