U.S. Coin Mint Marks Guide: How to Read P, D, S, W Letters

Mint Marks: The Tiny Letters That Make Your Coins Valuable

Let's play a quick game. Grab a quarter from your pocket. Look at it. Really look. Under George Washington's portrait, you'll see a tiny letter—maybe a P or a D. That little letter is a mint mark, and it's the most important clue on your coin. It tells you where the coin was made, and that single fact can mean the difference between it being worth 25 cents and 25 dollars.

The question I hear most from new collectors isn't about gold or ancient coins. It's: "What does this little letter mean?" If you've ever been confused by those tiny P, D, S, or W letters, you're in the right place. This guide will turn you from someone who just spends change into someone who understands it.

Why a Single Letter Matters So Much

At its core, a mint mark is a factory stamp. Just like a "Made in Detroit" tag on a car, it tells you which U.S. Mint facility produced the coin. Why should you care? Because different mints made different amounts.

The rule is simple: scarcity creates value. A coin from a mint that produced fewer coins is rarer. That rarity makes it more desirable to collectors, which drives up its price.

Let's look at the classic example. Take two seemingly identical 1914 Lincoln pennies. One has no mint mark (made in Philadelphia). The other has a tiny "D" (made in Denver). The Philadelphia mint made over 75 million pennies that year. Denver made only about 1.2 million. Today:

• The common 1914-P penny is worth a few dollars.
• The scarce 1914-D penny is worth hundreds of dollars.

The only difference is that one little letter. That's the power of the mint mark.

Your Cheat Sheet: Where to Find the Mark

You can't decode the letter if you can't find it. The location has changed over time, but here's your modern cheat sheet. All you need is a decent light and a little patience.

On Dimes, Quarters, and Half Dollars (1965 to Now)

• Look at the front (the "heads" side).
• Find the portrait (Roosevelt, Washington, Kennedy).
• Check directly under the curve of the neck. The mint mark will be a small, engraved letter.

On Pennies and Nickels

• Look at the back (the "tails" side).
• Pennies: Check to the right of the Lincoln Memorial or shield.
• Nickels: Look on the right side, near the image of Monticello.

The Decoder Ring: What P, D, S, and W Really Mean

Found the letter? Great! Now let's translate it. This is your guide to the modern mint mark alphabet.

Laura's Insider Tip: "The biggest 'aha!' moment for new collectors is understanding the Philadelphia rule," says Laura Bennett. "If you have a U.S. coin from before 1980 with no letter, it's not an error—it's almost certainly from Philadelphia. That blank space is its mint mark."

FAQ

Q: What if my coin has NO mint mark?

A: For U.S. coins minted before 1980, no mint mark almost always means it was made at the Philadelphia Mint. It's not missing; the blank space is the identifier.

Q: Are "W" quarters actually worth money?

A: Yes! They're not life-changing, but a circulated "W" quarter is typically worth $10-$20. An uncirculated one can be worth more. It's a legitimate, fun modern rarity.

Q: What are the most valuable mint marks?

A: For classic coins, "CC" (Carson City) on 19th-century silver is the holy grail for many collectors. For modern finds, the "W" is king due to its extreme circulation scarcity.

Q: Can mint marks be faked?

A: Unfortunately, yes. Scammers sometimes add a valuable letter (like a "D") to a common coin. This is a key reason to buy expensive key-date coins already certified and sealed by services like PCGS or NGC.

Q: Why do some Philadelphia coins have a "P" and some don't?

A: History is messy! The "P" wasn't consistently used until 1980, and even then, pennies were often excluded. If you're unsure, a quick search using a coin identifier for the specific coin and year will give you the right answer.

Q: I found a coin with a weird symbol. What now?

A: First, make sure it's a U.S. coin! If it is, you might have a true rarity or an error. Take clear pictures and use online resources or apps to compare.