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American Coins
American coins have several different mint marks. Mint marks
are where the coins where minted, or made. It is indicated by that little letter you see on the coin. They are and were D=
Denver, P= Philidelphia, S= San Francisco, W= West Point, O= New Orleans, CC=Carson City, D=Dahlonega, C= Charlotte.
Below is a chart from the book Official Know-It-All Guide Coins 2004.
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Philadelphia, Pa |
P |
1793-present |
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Charlotte, N.C. |
C |
1838-1861 |
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Dahlonega, Ga |
D |
1838-1861 |
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New Orleans, La |
O |
1838-1861, 1879-1909 |
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San Francisco, Ca |
S |
1854-1955, 1968-present |
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Carson City, Nev |
CC |
1870-1893 |
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Denver, Colo. |
D |
1906-present |
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West Point, N.Y. |
W |
1984-present |
Enlargement of an "s" mint mark
US MINT
World Coins
Lets talk a little bit about world currency. A very contreversial subject in the numismatic field.
If you are planing on collecting world currency, then I suggest that you know a few things. Number one: very few world coins
have great value. Number two: They are usually exquisitly beautiful. Number three: they are EASILY counterfited. this is because
there are hundreds of countries and even more coins. If you have a coin from, lets say, Chile, than how do you know if it
is real or not. You're certianlly not going to fly to chile and talk to the treasurer. Do you see the dilema? If you
decide to collect, then invest in a book where they tell you about counterfits.
Next, lets talk about paper money. Also very interesting. Make sure your paper money, when held
to a light, depicts the picture of who ever's on it in a sort of see through version. you'll know when you try it. Once again,
I suggest that you purchase a book on paper money. Most likely, it will have a section devoted to identifying counterfits.
Also, it will come in handy when pricing your money because it most likely will not be found in a regular coin book.
Now, coin stores will usualy have world and paper money. Do not be affraid to ask questions and
bring your books. They won't mind, trust me!
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