A coin produced in 1980, specifically a dollar coin bearing the mint mark “D,” represents an instance of United States coinage from that era. The “D” signifies that the coin was struck at the Denver Mint. These pieces, while often referred to as “silver dollars,” were generally composed of a copper-nickel clad alloy rather than precious metal, except in the case of certain proof or uncirculated examples that might have been specially minted with silver.
The historical context surrounding such coins involves the discontinuation of actual silver dollar production and a shift towards base metal alternatives for general circulation. These dollars served primarily as commemorative or collector’s items, fulfilling a perceived need for larger denomination currency while minimizing the use of valuable resources. The existence of a Denver-minted example illustrates the distribution of coin production across different facilities within the United States Mint system.
