Coin Collecting a Guide for Beginners Header

Locating a Mint Mark on Coins

**1851 O Silver Three Cent**

If you are looking for a mint mark on coins made in the United States before 1968, they are usually on the reverse.

In 1968, however, the location was changed by the Mint Director to the obverse (front) side of the coins.

There were some exceptions, however, including the 1838-O Capped Bust half dollar and the 1916-D and 1916-S Walking Liberty half dollar.

Below you will find a table with image examples and written descriptions of the mintmark location for United States Coins.

Location of Mint Mark on Coins
Coin Type	Where to Locate Mint Mark on Coins
Half Cents	no mint mark as they were all minted at the Phildelphia Mint.
Large Cents	no mint mark as they were all minted at the Phildelphia Mint.
Flying Eagle Cent	no mint mark as they were all minted at the Phildelphia Mint.
Indian Cents	1908 and 1909 are the only two years that Indian Cents had a mint mark. It is located on the back of the coin under the wreath. (Click image to see a larger view)
Lincoln Cents	Look under the date on the front on the front of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view)
Two Cent Coin	no mint mark on coins as they were all minted at the Phildelphia Mint.
Three Cent Coin	no mint mark on Nickel Three Cent Coins as they were all minted at the Phildelphia Mint The Silver Three Cent Coin Dated 1851 has the mint mark "O" for the New Orleans Mint. It is located to the right of the "C" on the back of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view)
Shield Nickels	no mint mark as they were all minted at the Phildelphia Mint.
Liberty Nickels	no mint mark on coins minted at the Phildelphia Mint 1912 could have the mint mark "D" for the Denver Mint or "S" for the San Francisco Mint. It will be located to the left of the word CENTS on the back of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view)
Indian Head Nickels aka Buffalo Nickels	located under the words FIVE CENTS on the back of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view)
Jefferson Nickels	1938-1964 the mint mark is located to the right of Monticello on the back with the exception of the years 1942-1945. (Click image to see a larger view) During the War Years 1942-1945, the mint mark is located above the Dome of Monticello. (Click image to see a larger view) 1968-2004, the mint mark is located near the date on the front of the coin. 2005, below Liberty on the front of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view) 2006 to present, below Liberty and the date on the front of the coin.
Half Dimes	on the back of the coin either just below or within the wreath. (Click image to see a larger view)
Bust Dimes	no mint mark on coins as they were all minted at the Phildelphia Mint.
Liberty Seated Dimes	either just below or within the wreath on the back of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view)
Barber or Liberty Head Dimes	on the back of the coin near the rim in the center bottom portion of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view)
Mercury or Winged Liberty Head Dimes	on the back of the coin at the bottom left, to the right of the word ONE. (Click image to see a larger view)
Roosevelt Dimes	1946-1964- near the bottom left of the torch on the back of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view) Coins dated 1968 and up have the mint mark above the date on the front.
Twenty Cent Pieces	under the Eagle on the back of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view)
Bust Quarters	no mint mark on coins as they were all minted at the Phildelphia Mint.
Seated Liberty Quarters	under the Eagle and above Quarter Dollar on the back of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view)
Barber Quarters	under the Eagle and above Quarter Dollar on the back of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view)
Standing Liberty Quarters	above and just to the left of the date on the front of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view)
Washington Quarters including 50 State Quarters	1932-1964- in the center under the Eagle on the back of the coin. (Click image to see a larger view) 1968 and up- to the right of the hair ribbon on the front of the coin.
Bust Half Dollars	above the date on the front of the coin on the 1838-O and 1839-O Reeded Edge coins only.
Seated Liberty Half Dollars	on the back just below the Eagle and above HALF DOLLAR. (Click image to see a larger view)
Barber Half Dollars	on the back just below the Eagle and above HALF DOLLAR (Click image to see a larger view)
Walking Liberty Half Dollars	1916 and some 1917 - just below the word TRUST on the front (Click image to see a larger view) 1917-1947 - lower left back of the coin, just below the branch
Ben Franklin Half Dollars	centered above the beam of the Liberty Bell on the back, (Click image to see a larger view)
Kennedy Half Dollars	1964 - left of the olive branch near the claw on the back of the coin (Click image to see a larger view) 1968 and up - centered above the date on the front, near the neck
Flowing Hair Dollars	no mint mark as they were all minted at the Phildelphia Mint.
Draped Bust Dollars	no mint mark as they were all minted at the Phildelphia Mint.
Liberty Seated Dollars	under the Eagle on the back (Click image to see a larger view)
Morgan Dollars	under the Eagle on the back (Click image to see a larger view)
Peace Dollars	on the left back at the tip of the Eagle's Wing (Click image to see a larger view)
Trade Dollars	under the Eagle on the back (Click image to see a larger view)
Eisenhower Dollars	on the front under the bust (Click image to see a larger view)
Susan B. Anthony Dollars	on the front to the left of the bust (Click image to see a larger view)
Sacagawea Dollars	on the front under the date (Click image to see a larger view)
Presidential Dollars	on the edge of the coin next to the date (Click image to see a larger view)