A small letter or symbol stamped on a coin to indicate its origin. This feature identifies the specific United States Mint facility where the coin was produced. For example, an “S” indicates San Francisco, a “D” signifies Denver, and Philadelphia-minted coins often lack a designation. This identifier helps numismatists trace a coin’s history and determine its rarity.
This detail is significant in determining a coin’s value. Certain mints produced fewer examples in specific years, making coins from those facilities more desirable to collectors. Its presence or absence, and its location, can impact the price a coin commands in the numismatic market. Understanding these markings provides valuable insight into production numbers and historical context.