Mint Marks
| Mint Branch | Mint Mark | Years Mark Used |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans (LA) | O | 1838-1861, 1879-1909 |
| Philadelphia (PA) | P | 1942-45, 1979-Present |
| San Francisco (CA) | S | 1854-1955, 1968-Present |
| West Point (NY) | W | 1984-Present |
How many different mint marks are there?
The current mint marks on United States coinage are P, D, S, and W for the 4 currently operating US Mints. The letter P is used for the Philadelphia Mint, D for the Denver Mint, S for the San Francisco Mint, and W for the West Point Mint. Over time there have been 9 official United States Mints.
What is a rare mint mark?
Mintmark: A letter or other mark on a coin denoting the mint that manufactured the coin. The 1927-S is quite a rare coin, with even the worst specimen likely to bring $5,000 and up at auction. …
What is the most rare mint mark?
5 of the Most Valuable U.S. Coins
- 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar. Mint mark: No mint mark. Face value: $1.
- 1913 Liberty Head Nickel. Mint mark: None. Face value: $.05.
- 1870 S Seated Liberty Dollar. Mint mark: S. Face value: $1.
- 1927 D St Gaudens Double Eagle. Mint mark: D. Face value: $20.
- 1838 O Capped Bust Half Dollar. Mint mark: O.
What does the mint mark on a coin mean?
A mint mark is a letter or other symbol that identifies the mint at which a given coin was made. On most U.S. coins, the mint mark will be a D (for the Denver or Dahlonega mint), an S (for San Francisco), P was used (for Philadelphia), CC (for Carson City .) or a W (for West Point).
Who was the first person to use a mint mark?
The first mint marks, called “Magistrate Marks” were developed by the Greeks, and named the Magistrate in charge of producing that coin. Debasing a coin, or otherwise tampering with it, was a very serious crime, often punishable by death in many civilizations.
How does the mint mark work at the Philadelphia Mint?
The Philadelphia Mint makes master hubs for all the coins and medals the U.S. Mint produces. The mint mark is added to the master hub for each facility, which is used to make several generations of dies and hubs. Hubs show the image the way the artist created it. Dies are like a photo negative, displaying the design in reverse.
When did the US Mint stop using the P mint mark?
After the war, when use of the regular alloy resumed, the mint mark returned to its former position and the Mint no longer used Philadelphia’s “P.” In 1979, the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin was introduced. Once again, the “P” mint mark appeared.
