No Mint Mark Means A Coin Was Made At The Philadelphia Mint, Right? Not Necessarily

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What you have is a regular 1992 Philadelphia penny, worth face value.

Technically, you’re right — there’s no way of knowing for sure whether your pennies were minted at Philadelphia or elsewhere. Unfortunately diagnostics for knowing which die came from which mint seem inconclusive.

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P mint marks appeared on dimes for the first time in 1980.

Here’s some more info about mint marks in general if you’re interested: http://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2007/12/mint_marks_letters_on_coins.php

Hello, Sherry —

The “no S” means it was struck at the Philadelphia mint. The goldish appearance may either be toning or perhaps gold plating. If the coin is gold plated it won’t have any additional value, but perhaps if your coin is in mint condition (unworn) and has a beautiful gold toning color due to natural patina, it will have a small premium.

If you want to include a pic for a more detailed answer, please feel free to post one here.

I hope this helps!
Josh

Hello, Irene —

Before 1980, quarters made at the Philadelphia mint did not receive a mintmark, thus, that what you have — a quarter made at the Philadelphia mint. If worn, your coin is worth face value.

Thanks for your question,
Josh

Hi, Will —

I seem to see signs of a metal disturbance in the area where a mintmark should be, and it appears that it might even be a faint hint of a “D” mintmark. I’m not suggesting this isn’t a legitimate die variety, but I’m wary because it seems like the disturbance indicates the mintmark may have been intentionally removed after the coin left the U.S. Mint, or that it was severely worn down.

Usually, I suggest that anybody with a coin they suspect has an error to submit it for certification, though I’m a little nervous this coin might come back as altered or heavily worn. Here’s more info on coin grading services: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/01/slabbed_coins.php

Grading services usually cost between $15 and $30 per coin, so at this point I suggest you save your money unless you’re confident, after looking at this coin through a 5-10X magnifying glass, that the piece really is absent a mintmark.

I hope this gives you a little more insight!

Best,
Josh

Hi, Jda –

The silver inside your 2001 cent is the coin’s zinc-based core. Since 1982, all regular-issue (non-collector) cents have been made with a zinc core and thin copper coating. Here’s more info about these zinc pennies: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2011/02/zinc_penny.php

Best,
Josh

Hello, Allodial —

Your 1973 Jefferson nickel without a mintmark was made at the Philadelphia Mint, which wasn’t placing mintmarks on its coins in 1973. Unless your coin is in mint condition or has errors or die varieties, it’s worth face value.

Thank you for your question!
Josh

Hi, John —

Are you referring to the recent discovery that some American Silver Eagles are being struck at the San Francisco (and Philadelphia) Mints and that collectors have identified these specific coins by certain barcode serial numbers and straps on so-called monster boxes? San Francisco and Philadelphia contributed as many as 7 million ASEs since around 2011 to help meet Silver Eagle demand. As for whether its normal or not, it’s certainly not the first time branch mints have supplemented production without placing mintmarks on those coins. Not counting the mid 1960s, when mintmarks were temporarily abolished from US coins to tamp down collecting during a terrible coin shortage, this is most exemplified in the case of the Lincoln cent. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, both San Francisco and West Point produced pennies without mintmarks and these coins entered general circulation.

These bullion-quality San Francisco and Philadelphia ASEs are indistinguishable from the typical West Point Silver Eagles, though some collectors are paying more because of their perceived scarcity. Whether or not they maintain value is yet to be seen.

Best wishes,
Josh