Quick Guide to Mint Mark Locations For Common Coins
This article is meant to be a quick guide to help you find mint marks on the most commonly circulated United States coins. Please read below. Share if you found this page useful.
While mint marks may seem trivial, they are in all actuallity of major importance to coin valuations. The annual production output of each mint is not equal to any other mint. Example 1: The Philadelphia Mint (P) produces 150 million coins in 1980,that same year the Denver (D) mint produces just 30 million. Because of supply and demmand the Denver minted coin will be worth much more. This is the primary importance of mint marks to coin values.
The US Mint was originally created by Congress in 1792 and was located in Philadelphia, the capitol of the US at the time. Currently, there are 4 US Mints producing coinage: Philadelphia, San Francisco, Denver and West Point, New York. Throughout US history, several other mints have produced coinage, including mints in North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana and Manila. Unless you want to pursue pre-Civil War coins or foreign coins, the only one of note is mint in Carson City, Nevada.
Mint Mark Lettering
Here are the mint marks for the various facilities:
- Philadelphia - P (currently) or none
- San Francisco - S
- Denver - D
- West Point - W (on certain coins, none on others)
- Carson City - CC
Mint Mark Locations For Common Coins
- Indian Head Penny - On the back, under the ribbon. If there, it would be an S for San Francisco. If none, Philadelphia.
- Lincoln Penny - Under the date on the right. This has been the location since it's introduction in 1909. If there isn't one, you have to assume it was produced in Philadelphia.
- Buffalo Nickel - On the front, under the words "FIVE CENTS".
- Jefferson Nickel - Except for the war nickels, produced during World War II from 1942 until 1945 where the mint mark is located on the back above Monticello's dome, the mint mark is on the front, at the base of Jefferson's bust on the right (behind the ponytail).
- Mercury Dime - On the back, just under and to the right of the "E" in ONE.
- Roosevelt Dime - On the front, right side below Roosevelt's bust. Pre-1964 are on the back, just under the torch to the left.
- Standing Liberty Quarter - On the front just above and to the left of the date.
- Washington Quarter - On the front, right side below Washington's bust (behind the ponytail). Pre-1964, on the back centered under the eagle.
- Standing Liberty Half Dollar - 1916 and a few 1917, on the front, just below "TRUST". 1917- 1947, on the back, under the branch on the lower left.
- Franklin Half Dollar - On the back, centered above the Liberty Bell.
- Kennedy Half Dollar - On the front, below and to the center of Kennedy's bust, above the date. Pre-1968, on the back, just to the left of the olive branch, near the claw.
- Morgan Dollar - On the back, under the eagle.
- Peace Dollar - On the back, to the left off of the wing tip.
- Eisenhower Dollar - On the front, below and to the center of Eisenhower's bust, above the date.
- Susan B. Anthony Dollar - On the front, to the left of Anthony's bust.
- Sacagawea Dollar - Under the date.
Mint marks are of great importance as mint outputs often dictate a coins worth. Most United States coins have mint marks. Those that don't are usually (P) Philadelphia minted.
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