All About U.S. Mints and Mint Marks
America's very first mint started operations in 1793, and cents and half cents were the very first U.S. coins struck for circulation. Once the site of a former brewery, that mint (shown here) was very different from today's mechanized facility. All the dies were cut by hand, and each die cutter would add his own touches. A screw press was used to squeeze the planchets between the obverse and reverse dies. Horses or strong men powered the press, and the Mint's security system was a ferocious dog named Nero!
Today, four different U.S. Mints strike coins, while four others have struck coins in the past. A small letter or mint mark on coins identifies the mints that struck them. These marks date back to ancient Greece and Rome. Mint marks on U.S. coins began with the passage of the Act of March 3, 1835. This established our first branch mints, and mint marks appeared on coins for the first time in 1838.
Today, four different U.S. Mints strike coins, while four others have struck coins in the past. A small letter or mint mark on coins identifies the mints that struck them. These marks date back to ancient Greece and Rome. Mint marks on U.S. coins began with the passage of the Act of March 3, 1835. This established our first branch mints, and mint marks appeared on coins for the first time in 1838.
Table of Contents
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1793-Date, "P" Mint Mark
This has always been the main U.S. Mint facility. Most coins struck here have no mint marks. The exceptions are the Wartime nickels of 1942-45, Anthony dollars of 1979, and all Philadelphia coins since 1980 except the cent, which continues without. (Pictured: 2nd Philadelphia Mint 1833-1901) Denver, Colorado
1906-Date, "D" Mint Mark
Major gold and silver discoveries in Colorado led to an establishment of a branch U.S. Mint, which grew out of an assay office. The building, completed in 1904 and enlarged in 1937, enabled Denver to set a record in 1969, when over 5 billion coins were produced there. West Point, New York
1984-Date, "W" Mint Mark
Located adjacent to the U.S. Military Academy, the former West Point Bullion Depository officially became a U.S. Mint on March 31, 1988. Although West Point struck coins and medals beginning in 1974, no mint marks appeared until 1983, with the striking of 1984 Olympic $10 gold eagles. San Francisco, California
1854-Date, "S" Mint Mark
When gold was discovered in 1848, massive population growth began in California. Coins were in short supply and private issues were being used. So Congress rapidly established a San Francisco branch mint, and coinage was under way by 1854. (Pictured: 2nd San Francisco Mint 1874-1937) Carson City, Nevada
1870-1893, "CC" Mint Mark
The Comstock Lode of Virginia City, Nevada, was such a large strike that a branch mint was set up in nearby Carson City, named after the famous frontiersman, Kit Carson. This Nevada mint was a short-lived facility and produced some of the scarcest coins in numismatics. New Orleans, Louisiana
1838-1909, "O" Mint Mark
This southern mint underwent a stormy history through the Civil War years, controlled at times by the State of Louisiana and the Confederacy. After its closure in 1909, the building was used as an assay office until 1942, and was renovated as a museum in 1979. Charlotte, North Carolina
1838-1861, "C" Mint Mark
This short-lived southern branch mint struck only gold coins during its brief existence. It was seized in 1861 by the Confederacy and was never re-opened. Dahlonega, Georgia
1838-1861, "D" Mint Mark
Another short-lived southern branch mint that struck only gold coins. It too was seized in 1861 by the southern forces and was never re-opened as a mint. Links to Other Coin Lenses
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- How to Collect Coins
- This lens will teach you all about coin collecting ... with help from Littleton Coin Company's experts!
- Guide to US Coinage
- Littleton Coin's guide to United States coinage outlines the major design types of U.S. coins by denomination and date of issue.
- A-Z Coin Glossary
- Ever wonder what the difference between Proof and Uncirculated is? Find out this and more on our Coin Glossary page!
- Guide to US Coin Grading
- Learn all about the nuances of Grading US Coins and the strict internal standards to which Littleton adheres.
- All About U.S. Mints
- Learn all about 8 US Mints that are producing or produced some of the most famous and well-known coins!
- List of Interesting US Hoards
- During the 1990s, Littleton Coin purchased three unusual hoards ... this Lens is all about them!
by SamDube_LCC
My name is Sam Dube, and I work at Littleton Coin Company. We know a large number of people would like to learn more about collecting, but don't know... (more)
