A mint mark is a small letter or symbol on a coin that identifies which mint facility produced it. Mint marks are important for collectors because production numbers vary by facility, affecting rarity.
U.S. Mint Marks
| Mark | Mint | Status |
|---|---|---|
| (none) or P | Philadelphia | Active |
| D | Denver | Active |
| S | San Francisco | Active (primarily proofs) |
| W | West Point | Active (bullion and proofs) |
| CC | Carson City | Closed (1893) |
| O | New Orleans | Closed (1909) |
Why Mint Marks Matter
The same coin design struck at different mints can have vastly different values. For example, a Morgan Silver Dollar from Philadelphia might be common, while the same year from Carson City (CC) could be worth many times more due to lower mintage.