The placement of the mint mark on an 1879 silver dollar is a key characteristic for identifying its origin. This small letter indicates at which United States Mint the coin was produced. Absence of a mint mark signifies that the coin was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. If present, the mark reveals production at another facility.
Locating this identifying feature is crucial for numismatists as it significantly impacts the coin’s value and rarity. Coins produced at the Carson City Mint (“CC” mint mark), for example, are generally more valuable than those from Philadelphia due to lower mintage numbers. This differentiation allows collectors to discern the coin’s historical significance and provenance.