Collector education
How to Identify a U.S. Coin
A beginner-friendly guide to identifying U.S. coins by date, mint mark, denomination, design, composition, weight, diameter, and edge type.
Start with what is printed on the coin
Most U.S. coin research begins with the date, denomination, and mint mark. The date tells you the year of issue, but the design type often matters just as much. A 1916 dime may be a Barber dime or a Mercury dime depending on the design, and each series has different key dates and grading standards.
The denomination may be written as ONE CENT, FIVE CENTS, ONE DIME, QUARTER DOLLAR, HALF DOLLAR, or ONE DOLLAR. Older coins may have worn lettering, so compare both sides before deciding what you have.
Look for the mint mark
Mint marks identify the facility that struck the coin. Common marks include D for Denver, S for San Francisco, P for Philadelphia on many modern coins, W for West Point, O for New Orleans, CC for Carson City, and others on older series. Mint mark location changes by design, so use the correct series reference before assuming a coin has no mint mark.
Check size, weight, and edge
Weight and diameter help separate silver issues, clad issues, commemoratives, and possible altered coins. Edge type also matters: cents and nickels are usually plain edge, while dimes, quarters, half dollars, and many dollars have reeded edges. A scale reading alone is not proof of authenticity, but it is a useful first check.