A mint mark is a small letter (or sometimes a symbol) on a coin that indicates where it was manufactured. This tiny detail can have a massive impact on a coin's rarity and value. For example, a 1909 VDB Lincoln cent from the San Francisco mint (with an "S" mint mark) is a legendary rarity worth thousands, while the same coin from the Philadelphia mint (which had no mint mark that year) is common. Learning to identify these marks is a fundamental skill for any serious collector.
Common US Mint Marks and Their Locations
- P: Philadelphia (often absent on older coins)
- D: Denver
- S: San Francisco
- W: West Point
- CC: Carson City (used on some of the most famous and rare US coins)
Mint marks can be tricky to find. On US coins, they can appear on the obverse or reverse, often near the date or another design element.
Why Mint Marks Matter
- Rarity: Some branch mints produced far fewer coins than others, making their issues rarer and more valuable.
- History: Mint marks tell a story about the expansion of a nation and the flow of commerce.
- Varieties: Sometimes, the placement or style of a mint mark can create a unique and valuable variety.
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