US Coins Mint Marks

Mint marks are small symbols or letters that are used on United States coins to indicate where they were produced. These mint marks are typically found on the reverse (tails) side of the coin, near the bottom. The presence or absence of a mint mark can significantly affect a coin's value, as it may indicate the coin's rarity.

Here are some of the commonly used mint marks on US coins:

1. "P" - Philadelphia Mint: Coins minted at the Philadelphia Mint traditionally did not have a mint mark. However, starting in 1980, the mint began using a "P" mint mark on some coin denominations.

2. "D" - Denver Mint: The "D" mint mark represents coins produced at the Denver Mint, which is one of the active minting facilities in the United States.

3. "S" - San Francisco Mint: The "S" mint mark indicates coins struck at the San Francisco Mint. This mint primarily produces proof coins and commemorative issues.=

4. "W" - West Point Mint: The West Point Mint in New York began using the "W" mint mark on some bullion and commemorative coins. It is well-known for producing American Eagle gold and silver bullion coins.

5. "CC" - Carson City Mint: The Carson City Mint, which was operational in the 19th century, used the "CC" mint mark on various coins, such as Morgan Silver Dollars. These are now considered highly collectible due to their historical significance.

6. "O" - New Orleans Mint: The New Orleans Mint, which operated in the 19th century, used the "O" mint mark on coins like the Morgan Silver Dollar and the Seated Liberty Dollar.

7. "C" - Charlotte Mint and "D" - Dahlonega Mint: These mint marks were used in the 19th century to denote coins produced at the Charlotte Mint in North Carolina and the Dahlonega Mint in Georgia.

8. "CM" - Charlotte Mint Gold: This unique mint mark is found on certain rare gold coins produced at the Charlotte Mint.

9. "G" - Manila Mint: The "G" mint mark was used for coins produced at the United States Mint in Manila, Philippines, which operated during the early 20th century.

These mint marks help numismatists and collectors identify the origin of coins and, in some cases, the specific facility where they were minted. Mint marks can be an essential factor in determining a coin's rarity and value, as coins from certain mints or with particular mint marks may be scarcer than others.