The location of the mint mark on a Morgan silver dollar is on the reverse (tails side) of the coin, positioned beneath the wreath. This small letter indicates the specific United States Mint facility where the coin was struck. The presence or absence of a particular mark, and its specific variation, significantly impacts the coin’s value and collectibility.
Identifying the mint of origin is crucial for numismatists because it allows for differentiation between coins struck in different locations. These different locations, such as Philadelphia, Carson City, New Orleans, Denver, and San Francisco, contributed varying mintage numbers and occasionally subtle variations in the die, leading to significant differences in rarity and thus value. A coin’s historical context is inextricably linked to its place of origin.