In short:
Mint marks on US coins indicate the mint where a coin was struck. This article explains the most important marks, such as P, D, S, W, O, CC, and C, their historical development, and why mint marks can be important for identification, rarity, and collector value.
Mint marks are letters on a coin that indicate the mint’s origin. Originally, they served to identify the respective mint for its weight, fineness, and finish. When the United States still minted circulation coins from precious metals such as gold and silver, a commission regularly reviewed the composition and quality of coins from all locations. This ensured that each mint worked precisely according to specifications.
What exactly is a Mint Mark
A mint mark is a one- or two-letter code on the coin. It represents the mint and helps distinguish between years, varieties, and production methods. For collectors, it is therefore an important piece of data for identification, valuation, and provenance.
The early years – Philadelphia without license plates
In the early years, Philadelphia was the only minting location. Since there were no other locations, a mint mark was unnecessary. It wasn’t until 1838 that the U.S. Mint opened additional branches: Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans. Mint marks first appeared on U.S. coins at these locations. Philadelphia itself remained unmarked.
1942 – the “P” appears on the war nickels
In the midst of World War II, nickel was removed from five-cent coins. In 1942, the “P” first appeared on nickels minted in Philadelphia. At the same time, the symbol moved from the right side of Monticello to the top of the dome to indicate the changed alloy. After the war, with a return to the standard alloy, the symbols returned to their previous positions, and Philadelphia initially stopped using the “P.”
1965 to 1967 – no mint marks
The Coinage Act of 1965 temporarily abolished mint marks. The goal was to curb hoarding and collecting while the Mint met the demand for circulation coins. Therefore, between 1965 and 1967, circulation coins bore no marks.
From 1968 – license plate on the front
With the return of the hallmarks in 1968, their placement changed to the obverse of the coins. Before that, they were usually on the reverse.
1979 to 1980 – the “P” returns
With the introduction of the Susan B. Anthony dollar in 1979, the “P” reappeared. Starting in 1980, every denomination except the cent bore the “P” provided it was minted in Philadelphia. This placement remains in place today.
Modern Mint Marks – P, D, S and W
Today, four characteristics are particularly relevant:
-
P for Philadelphia
-
D for Denver
-
S for San Francisco
-
W for West Point
Most circulation coins bear a “P” or “D”—or no marking, which can also denote Philadelphia. A special feature: In 2017, the cent received a one-time “P” to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Mint. In 2019, West Point also produced 10 million “W” quarters for the America the Beautiful program—the first circulation coins bearing the “W.”
Historical license plates and locations
-
C – Charlotte, North Carolina (from 1838).
-
D – Dahlonega, Georgia (from 1838). Important: The “D” originally stood for Dahlonega, not Denver.
-
O – New Orleans, Louisiana (from 1838). The site paused during the Civil War and resumed production in 1879 for about 30 years.
-
CC – Carson City, Nevada. The mint was established on the Comstock Lode, the largest silver deposit in the USA. Starting in 1870, it minted gold and silver circulation coins, finally ceasing operations in 1893.
Mint marks on medals
Most US medals do not bear mint marks. Philadelphia produces Congressional Gold Medals, their bronze duplicates, Presidential Medals, and many other issues. However, other locations may also be involved in the production of certain numismatic silver medals. Occasionally, the US Mint places a mint mark on a medal for marketing purposes. The mark may be on the obverse or reverse, depending on the design.
Why Mint Marks Interest Collectors
Mint marks provide context. They help allocate production quantities among locations, distinguish between variants, and precisely identify pieces within a series. Especially for years with multiple mints, mint marks often determine rarity, market price, and collector appeal. For identification purposes, since 1968, the marks have been on the front, while for certain historical series, the reverse remains relevant. War nickels from 1942 to 1945 can also be identified by the clearly highlighted mark above the Monticello dome.
Brief overview – key data for practice
-
1838: first mint marks on US coins through the new locations of Charlotte, Dahlonega and New Orleans.
-
1942: first “P” on the war nickels, position above the Monticello dome.
-
1965–1967: no mint marks on circulation coins.
-
1968: Return of the license plates to the front.
-
1979–1980: “P” returns, from 1980 on all denominations except the cent.
-
2017: unique “P” on the cent to mark the 225th anniversary.
-
2019: first circulation coins with “W” – 10 million quarters from West Point.
FAQ
What is a mint mark?
A mint mark is a letter that uniquely identifies the mint of a coin, thereby facilitating identification, valuation, and tracing of provenance.
Why are mint marks missing on some vintages?
Between 1965 and 1967, mint marks were suspended by law to reduce hoarding and stabilize the supply of rolling stock. Therefore, these years’ rolling stock do not bear mint marks.
Where can I find the registration number on modern US coins?
Since 1968, mint marks have generally been located on the front of the coin, making them easier to identify. An important exception is the wartime nickel coins from 1942 to 1945, where the large mark is positioned above the dome of Monticello.
What license plates are common today?
Today, collectors primarily encounter the P for Philadelphia, D for Denver, S for San Francisco, and W for West Point. Additionally, the cent bore a P only once in 2017 to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Mint.
Compact course: Modern gold coins from the USA
Discover in just a few minutes what really matters when it comes to modern US gold coins. We clearly explain the difference between bullion and proof, highlight the strengths of the American Eagle and American Buffalo, and categorize grading by PCGS, NGC, CAC, and ANACS. We also cover mint marks, mintage, and typical purchasing criteria so you can compare coins more quickly and choose more accurately. Ideal for collectors who want to make informed decisions and avoid bad buys.
Take the compact course now and deepen your knowledge
About the author
Larissa Wasserthal is the co-founder of Wasserthal RareCoin.Store. Together with Dirk Wasserthal, she focuses on modern numismatic gold coins, US coins, mint marks, and the classification of international collector coins. Their focus is on authenticity, provenance, condition, and details relevant to collectors.
