MintPricedHow to find a mint mark on US coins
A mint mark is a small letter that shows which U.S. Mint facility struck a coin. It matters to collectors because the same date can be common from one mint and much scarcer from another, so a date without its mint mark is only half an identification.
Modern mint marks
- P — Philadelphia. For most of history Philadelphia coins had no mint mark. “P” appeared on wartime nickels (1942–1945), on the Susan B. Anthony dollar from 1979, and on all denominations except the cent from 1980. The cent still normally has no “P”; 2017 was a one-year exception for the Mint’s 225th anniversary.
- D — Denver (since 1906).
- S — San Francisco (since 1854). Today it mostly strikes proof and collector coins.
- W — West Point (since 1984). In 2019 West Point struck quarters for circulation with a “W” for the first time.
Historic mint marks
Branch mints opened in 1838, and that is when mint marks first appeared on US coins. Historic marks include C (Charlotte, gold only), D (Dahlonega, gold, before the Civil War — not Denver), O (New Orleans) and CC (Carson City). If you see a D on a gold coin from the 1830s–1860s, it is Dahlonega.
Where to look
Position changes by series and era:
- Since 1968 mint marks are on the obverse (front). On Lincoln cents and Jefferson nickels look near the date; on Roosevelt dimes, above the date; on Washington quarters and Kennedy halves, the right side of the portrait area or near the date depending on the year.
- Before 1965 most mint marks were on the reverse (back) — for example below the wreath on many older silver coins, and to the right of Monticello on Jefferson nickels.
- 1942–1945 nickels carry a large P, D or S above Monticello’s dome. This position marks the wartime silver alloy (see silver coin basics).
No letter at all?
A missing mint mark usually means Philadelphia. But there is a gap: under the Coinage Act of 1965, no mint marks appeared on circulating coins dated 1965 to 1967, whichever mint struck them. Worn, damaged or filled dies can also make a mark hard to see, so check under a magnifier before you decide.
Tips for reading tiny letters
- Use a 5x–10x magnifier and light from one side, so the letter casts a small shadow.
- Tilt the coin slowly; a raised letter catches the light differently from a scratch.
- Be careful with “added” mint marks. On valuable dates, letters are sometimes added to a Philadelphia coin; any coin like that needs an expert check (see error coins and varieties).
In MintPriced, when the mint mark is unclear the app asks for a close-up and lets you confirm the year and mint mark yourself — good photos help a lot.
Sources and further reading
Related question in the coin FAQ: Where is the mint mark on a US coin?; What do the letters P, D, S and W mean?
General information, not financial or appraisal advice. Values depend on condition and the buyer; ask a qualified dealer or grading service before buying or selling.