Every US coin collector eventually asks the same question at least once: "where's the mint mark on this thing?" It's usually a small, easy-to-miss letter — a "D" for Denver, an "S" for San Francisco, a "P" for Philadelphia, "O" for the long-closed New Orleans Mint, or "CC" for Carson City — and its exact placement has moved around more than most people expect as US coin designs have changed over the past two centuries. Knowing where to look isn't just trivia. On many series, a specific mint mark on a specific date is the difference between a coin worth face value and one worth a real premium, so misreading (or missing) that tiny letter can mean misjudging a coin's actual value entirely.

This guide walks through every major US coin type in chronological order, tells you precisely where the mint mark sits on the coin, and flags the design changes that moved it over time. If you're trying to identify a specific coin you're holding, use the jump links above to go straight to that denomination, or check the quick-reference table near the bottom of the page. And if you're not sure what you've got in the first place, our coin identification guide is a good place to start before you go hunting for a mint mark.

Cents & Half Cents

Half cents (1793–1857) and large cents (1793–1857) were struck exclusively at Philadelphia for their entire production runs, so you'll never find a mint mark on either denomination — full stop. The Indian Head Cent (1859–1909) ran mint-mark-free until the San Francisco Mint jumped in for the final two years: on 1908-S and 1909-S cents, the tiny "S" sits on the reverse, tucked beneath the bow of the ribbon that ties the wreath at the bottom of the coin. It's easy to overlook, which is part of why the 1909-S in particular remains a semi-key date that collectors actively hunt for.

The Lincoln Cent (1909–present) simplified things enormously: the mint mark sits on the obverse, directly beneath the date, in the lower-right field. That's been true for the entire series with one quirky exception — 2017 marked the Mint's 225th anniversary, and Philadelphia-struck cents that year carried a one-time-only "P" in that same spot, something Philadelphia cents otherwise never had before or since.

Nickels

Half Dimes (1792–1873) followed the same no-mark rule as early cents through 1837; once Seated Liberty Half Dimes began in 1838, the mint mark moved to the reverse, centered inside or just beneath the wreath's bottom loop. Shield Nickels (1866–1883) were Philadelphia-only for their entire run and never carry a mint mark.

The Liberty Head "V" Nickel (1883–1913) is where things get interesting for a single, famous year: 1912 was the only year branch mints struck this design, and on 1912-D and 1912-S nickels the mint mark sits on the reverse, tucked right next to the dot that separates the words "UNITED" and "CENTS." It's a small, precise spot worth knowing if you're chasing that scarce final year of the series.

On the Buffalo Nickel (1913–1938), the mint mark is on the reverse, centered directly below the words "FIVE CENTS" at the bottom of the coin — a location that wears down fast on circulated coins, which is exactly why so many Buffalo Nickels turn up with an illegible or worn-away mint mark today.

Jefferson Nickels (1938–present) have moved the mark several times. On standard issues from 1938–1964, look on the reverse, to the right of Monticello near the rim. The wartime "Silver War Nickels" of 1942–1945 are the oddball of the series: to make the 35%-silver composition obvious at a glance, the Mint enlarged the mint mark and placed it prominently above Monticello's dome on the reverse — the only time in US history a nickel's mint mark appeared above the design rather than beside or below it. From 1968 through 2004, the mark moved to the obverse, low on the right edge behind Jefferson's pigtail, and since the 2006 redesign with the forward-facing Jefferson portrait, it sits on the obverse in the lower-right field, below "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Dimes

Early Draped Bust and Capped Bust Dimes (1796–1837) carry no mint mark, per the pre-1838 rule. Seated Liberty Dimes (1838–1891) place it on the reverse, inside or beneath the wreath's bottom loop — the same general location used on Seated Liberty Half Dimes. Barber Dimes (1892–1916) moved it slightly, to the reverse just below the wreath's ribbon tie at the bottom edge.

Mercury Dimes (1916–1945) — officially the "Winged Liberty Head" design — put the mint mark on the reverse, to the left of the base of the fasces bundle. This is the spot that makes the 1916-D one of the most famous key dates in all of US coinage, since a correctly placed "D" there is what separates a common Philadelphia dime from a five-figure rarity. Roosevelt Dimes (1946–present) split into two eras: from 1946–1964, the mark sits on the reverse, left of the torch's base; from 1968 onward, it moved to the obverse, directly above the date on the right side, where it remains today.

Twenty-Cent Pieces & Quarters

The short-lived Twenty-Cent Piece (1875–1878) carries its mint mark on the reverse, centered directly below the eagle's talons. Early Draped Bust and Capped Bust Quarters (1796–1838) predate branch mints entirely and show no mark. Seated Liberty Quarters (1838–1891) and Barber Quarters (1892–1916) both place the mark on the reverse, centered beneath the eagle's tail feathers.

Standing Liberty Quarters (1916–1930) moved the mark to the obverse for the only time in the quarter's history: look just above the date, to the left of Liberty's foot. Washington Quarters (1932–present) have used three locations as the design evolved — reverse, below the eagle's tail feathers, from 1932–1964; obverse, to the right of Washington's ribbon at the base of his neck, from 1968–1998; and obverse, lower-right field below "IN GOD WE TRUST," on every Statehood, National Park, and American Women quarter minted from 1999 to today.

Half Dollars

Early Flowing Hair, Draped Bust, and Capped Bust Half Dollars carry no mark through 1837; the first New Orleans "O" half dollars in 1838–1839 place it on the obverse, above the date between the bust and the lower stars. Seated Liberty (1839–1891) and Barber (1892–1915) Half Dollars both use the reverse, centered beneath the eagle's tail feathers.

Walking Liberty Half Dollars (1916–1947) changed the location mid-series: coins from 1916 through early 1917 carry the mark on the obverse, below the "IN GOD WE TRUST" motto, while coins from late 1917 through the end of the series in 1947 moved it to the reverse, lower-left edge near the branch. Franklin Half Dollars (1948–1963) place it on the reverse, centered just above the Liberty Bell's yoke, beneath "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Kennedy Half Dollars (1964–present) started with the mark on the reverse in 1964 only — below the eagle's left talon — then shifted to the obverse from 1968 onward, centered just beneath Kennedy's portrait, above the date.

Dollar Coins

Early Flowing Hair, Draped Bust, and Gobrecht Dollars (1794–1839) predate branch mints and carry no mark. Seated Liberty Dollars (1840–1873) and Trade Dollars (1873–1885) both place it on the reverse beneath the eagle. Morgan Silver Dollars (1878–1921) — still the most widely collected US silver dollar — carry the mark on the reverse, centered just above the "DO" in "DOLLAR," below the wreath's ribbon tie. Peace Dollars (1921–1935) moved it to the reverse near the lower-left tip of the eagle's tail feathers, below the word "ONE." For collectors focused on this series, our Morgan Silver Dollar guide covers date-by-date mint mark rarities in more depth.

Eisenhower Dollars (1971–1978) placed the mark on the obverse, just below Eisenhower's neck truncation and above the date. Susan B. Anthony Dollars (1979–1999) put it on the obverse, left of Anthony's shoulder above the bust edge. The Sacagawea and Native American Dollars (2000–present) started on the obverse, lower-right field beneath the date, for 2000–2008 issues, then switched entirely to incused edge lettering starting in 2009 — a format also used on every Presidential Dollar from 2007 onward. If a modern dollar coin looks like it's missing a mint mark, check the edge before assuming it's an error.

Classic Gold Coinage (1838–1933)

Gold Dollars carry the mark on the reverse, below the wreath's bottom loop. Quarter Eagles ($2.50) place it on the reverse below the eagle for Capped Bust and Liberty Head types, but move it to the obverse — lower-left field above the date — on the Indian Head design. Three-Dollar Gold pieces place it on the reverse, centered beneath the date inside the wreath loop. Half Eagles ($5) and Eagles ($10) both use the reverse, centered below the eagle's tail feathers. Liberty Head Double Eagles ($20) follow the same reverse placement, while Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles moved it to the obverse, directly above the date in the lower-right field.

The 1965–1967 Mint Mark Suspension

One historical wrinkle trips up a lot of people sorting through old coin jars: coins dated 1965, 1966, and 1967 have no mint mark at all, regardless of denomination or which facility actually struck them. Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1965 to fight a nationwide coin shortage, and one provision temporarily suspended mint marks on every circulating coin so the public couldn't hoard coins from a specific mint. Mint marks returned in 1968, this time consistently placed on the obverse across nearly every denomination — a shift that's part of why so many series listed above have two distinct mint mark locations, one before 1965 and one after 1968.

Quick Reference: Mint Mark Locations by Series

Queries link to live eBay search results for the relevant series; individual dates and mints will vary.

How to Verify a Mint Mark Without Guessing

A worn or dirty coin can make even a correctly located mint mark look blank, doubled, or like a different letter entirely — which is how plenty of "rare error coins" turn out to be ordinary circulated pieces under a magnifier. A 5x–10x loupe or a macro camera lens is the single best tool for this; hold the coin at a slight angle under raking light so the tiny recessed or raised letter throws a shadow. If you're still unsure after a close look, comparing your coin against certified images on PCGS CoinFacts or the NGC Coin Explorer is the most reliable free way to confirm both the mint mark and the coin's overall diagnostics before you buy, sell, or submit it for grading. For a broader look at how mint errors and varieties affect value, our error coins value guide covers doubled dies, repunched mint marks, and other diagnostics collectors look for alongside the mint mark itself.

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