Coin Mint Marks: Where to Find Them and Why They Matter
Find mint marks on US and world coins, learn what D, S, O, CC, P and W mean, and why a tiny letter can make the same coin worth much more.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
Two coins with the same design and date can be worth very different amounts. Often the difference is a single small letter: the mint mark, showing where the coin was struck.
US mint marks
| Mark | Mint |
|---|---|
| (none) or P | Philadelphia |
| D | Denver (and Dahlonega on some early gold) |
| S | San Francisco |
| O | New Orleans |
| CC | Carson City |
| C | Charlotte (early gold) |
| W | West Point |
Philadelphia coins historically carried no mark for most denominations.
Where to find the mint mark
The location varies by coin and period:
- Lincoln cents: below the date on the front
- Morgan dollars: on the back, below the wreath
- Many older silver coins: on the reverse
- Modern coins: often on the front near the date
Use a magnifier and good light. See silver dollar value and valuable pennies.
Why mint marks matter
Mints produced different quantities each year. A date with a very small mintage at one mint can be scarce and valuable while the same date from another mint is common. Collectors build sets by date and mint, which drives demand for the scarce combinations.
World coin mint marks
Many countries also used mint marks — letters, symbols or initials — sometimes with mintmaster initials. National catalogs explain them.
Mint mark errors and varieties
Repunched, overlapping or misplaced mint marks are collected as varieties. Some are valuable; others are minor curiosities.
Watch out for alterations
Valuable mint marks are sometimes added to common coins, or removed to fake a rarer type. Under magnification, an added mark may show tool marks or a different surface. Authenticate valuable coins.
Identify your coins
Scan a coin with AntiqueIQ to identify it and get an estimated value range and era, then check the mint mark under magnification and compare sold prices for that exact date and mint. More in old coins worth money.
Frequently asked questions
What does no mint mark mean?
On most older US coins, it means the coin was struck in Philadelphia.
What does CC mean on a coin?
Carson City, Nevada — a popular mint mark with collectors.
Do mint marks change a coin's value?
Yes. Scarce date and mint combinations can be worth much more than common ones.