MintPricedWhere is the mint mark? A US coin-by-coin guide
The mint mark tells you which facility struck a coin: P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco), W (West Point), and historic marks such as CC (Carson City) and O (New Orleans). Its position changed over time. Use this table as a quick reference, and see the mint marks guide for background.
| Coin | Years | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln cent | 1909–today | Obverse, under the date |
| Buffalo nickel | 1913–1938 | Reverse, under “FIVE CENTS” |
| Jefferson nickel | 1938–1942, 1946–1964 | Reverse, right of Monticello |
| Jefferson nickel (wartime silver) | 1942–1945 | Reverse, large letter above Monticello (P, D or S) |
| Jefferson nickel | 1968–today | Obverse, near the date (under the date since 2006) |
| Mercury dime | 1916–1945 | Reverse, bottom left, just right of the word ONE |
| Roosevelt dime | 1946–1964 | Reverse, left of the torch base |
| Roosevelt dime | 1968–today | Obverse, above the date |
| Washington quarter | 1932–1964 | Reverse, below the wreath under the eagle |
| Washington quarter (incl. state quarters) | 1968–today | Obverse, right of Washington’s portrait |
| Kennedy half dollar | 1964 | Reverse, below the eagle’s claw holding the olive branch |
| Kennedy half dollar | 1968–today | Obverse, above the date |
| Morgan dollar | 1878–1921 | Reverse, under the wreath above “DO” |
Things that confuse beginners
- No mint mark usually means Philadelphia. Philadelphia started using a P on the dollar in 1979 and on most other coins in 1980 (on wartime nickels already in 1942–1945), but the cent has no P except in 2017.
- 1965–1967 coins have no mint marks at all.
- Tiny letters are easy to miss — use a 5x–10x magnifier and light from the side.
- Added or removed mint marks are a common trick on key dates such as the 1909-S VDB and 1914-D Wheat cents.
Positions here are for circulating designs; commemoratives and bullion coins vary. If you scan a coin in MintPriced and the mint mark is unclear, the app asks for a close-up and you confirm it before saving.
Sources and further reading
More answers in the coin FAQ.
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.