My coin is missing the mintmark

Discussion in 'Frequently Asked Questions' started by National dealer, May 29, 2004.

  1. National dealer

    National dealer New Member

    My coin is missing a Mint mark, words, letters or numbers. Where did they go?

    Your coin most likely features a filled-die error

    A filled die is a very common form of error and does not add value to the coin. Filled die errors are known on every series of coin ever struck by the U.S. Mint.
    You should also know that many U.S. coins do not bear mintmarks on purpose. All coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint from 1793 to 1978 lack Mint marks, except for some 1942 to 1945 5-cent coins. Beginning in 1979, Anthony dollars struck at the Philadelphia Mint carried a P Mint mark. In 1980, the P Mint mark was added to the 5-cent coin, dime, quarter dollar, and half dollar struck in Philadelphia. However, none of the Lincoln cents struck at Philadelphia bear a Mint mark.
     
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  3. Dima

    Dima Member

    Interestingly enough, the lack of a P mint mark on pennies allowed the government to mint pennies at West Point without a W or P mint mark in the 1980s. The composition of these pennies is, obviously, the same from both West Point and Philly and they are impossible to tell apart. My favorite part of this story is that the pennies were minted at West Point before West Point was officially declared a branch of the US Mint. Further reading.

    Kind of off-topic, but nonetheless.

    Cheers!
     
  4. littlefoot55

    littlefoot55 Junior Member

    i have a 2000 new hampshire state quarter without a mint mark. is this an error on the coin or what
     
    jonny oneal likes this.
  5. Bestinthewest

    Bestinthewest Super Geek

    yes it should have a P or D under "In God We Trust" on the obverse. If there is none, then it is a filled die error and there is acid that could tell you which mint but then you would have it with acid damage.
     
  6. mpcusa

    mpcusa "Official C.T. TROLL SWEEPER"

    That,s interesting, You learn something new everyday!!
     
  7. Bestinthewest

    Bestinthewest Super Geek

    i know about the acid because I wanted to know what my unknown date -S Buffalo Nickel and he told me about it he said there is a cleaner to git it off but then you have a cleaned coin with acid damage and there is no proof of the date
     
  8. eealopez

    eealopez Junior Member

    I have the same. No mint mark on the New Hampshire coin. The FAQ note said that no mint marks are common. I wonder if that is true for the State Quarters. Nevertheless, I'm holding on to mine like it does have value. How about you?
     
  9. mpcusa

    mpcusa "Official C.T. TROLL SWEEPER"

    It makes sense!!
     
  10. eealopez

    eealopez Junior Member

    Don't you mean it makes 'cents'! ha ha
     
  11. Bestinthewest

    Bestinthewest Super Geek

    if it has no mint mark its an error in 1980, quarters got P for Philly so yea if theres no mintmark under "in god we trust" on the front, its an error
     
  12. eealopez

    eealopez Junior Member

    Fun under glass!

    I'm new to coins, so I'm soooo excited to have an error! I can't wait until I receive my loupe to examine the big jar of coins sitting on my table. Love it!
     
  13. sunflower

    sunflower New Member

    Loupe strength to recommend?

    What strength of Loupe will you be using? What would you recommend.

    Do you ever spit on your dirty coins to see the date? - oops... I probably should not be so dramatic. The truth is, I have dipped my cents in my coffee cup too. A Loupe might help with examining and sorting dates on my 5 digit piles of wheat cents.

    Thanks,
     
  14. micheldura2

    micheldura2 Senior Member

    do you drink the coffee after you have dipped your doughnut,...I mean cent in it? lol
     
  15. eealopez

    eealopez Junior Member

    My loupe arrived yesterday. It's 30x. While it gives a strong image of the coin, I've discovered it limits the size of the coin in the view. I'm a newbie. I've been looking at the loupes that have 2-3 lenses to adjust magnification from whole coin view to detail view. I plan to order one. Scroll to the bottom to see the double lense loupe http://www.brent-krueger.com/magnifiers.html#Folding By all means, shop around, don't just limit your search to this link.
     
  16. mpcusa

    mpcusa "Official C.T. TROLL SWEEPER"


    Yeah the funnier one:rolleyes:
     
  17. nss

    nss Gold Plated Member

    Grease filled dies. Grease filled dies.

    Do they really use that much grease near the striking surface?
     
  18. Billyray

    Billyray Junior Member

    As a general rule, if it can't be seen with a 10x loupe it's not worth the time. A lot of people use higher ones to be sure though.
     
  19. bella8x

    bella8x Junior Member

    as same as what i'm thinking
     
  20. Mike Silva

    Mike Silva Junior Member

    I've found if you scan at 2400 dps on a scanner you can really get clear pictures and zoom in quite clear.
     
  21. mpcusa

    mpcusa "Official C.T. TROLL SWEEPER"

    He,s right, It does work really well :)
     
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