Collector education
U.S. Mint Mark Guide
Reference guide to U.S. mint marks including Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, West Point, New Orleans, Carson City, and branch mints.
Why mint marks matter
A mint mark can change a coin's value because different mints produced different quantities in different years. Some issues are common from one mint and scarce from another. Always verify the date and mint mark together.
Common U.S. mint marks
- No mint mark or P: Philadelphia, depending on series and year.
- D: Denver.
- S: San Francisco.
- W: West Point.
- O: New Orleans on many older coins.
- CC: Carson City, popular with Morgan dollar collectors.
Location changes by series
Mint marks may appear on the obverse, reverse, near the date, below a wreath, above a dome, or beside a design element. Use the correct series guide when checking a coin because the same letter can be in different locations on different coins.