Have mintmarks jumped the shark for modern coins?
Zoins
Posts: 34,116 ✭✭✭✭✭
Originally mintmarks were used to indicate where coins were struck but recently the Mint has been avoiding their use to mask where coins are originating from.
- West Point for bullion ASEs - no mintmark
- West Point for circulation Lincoln cents - no mintmark
- San Francisco in circulation quality but not for circulation - with mintmark
Have mintmarks jumped the shark for modern coins?
This is a public poll: others will see what you voted for.
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In a severe coin shortage like what happened from 1965-1967 I say it's OK to remove them. But ONLY for that reason.
Whatever the Mint decides to do, we'll get blamed for it anyway.
Pete
I wish they would still use them.
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I updated the question to be more clear about my intent which is specifically for modern coins because that is where mintmark usage is changing.
I noted that a few may have read the original question as whether they affect collecting classic coins. However, since usage for classic coins is essentially frozen, I don't see a need for a change in attitude there.
my answer pertains really to some modern coins- where much confusion ensues
Sorry, Zoins. I did misunderstand your question.
I'm pretty sure mintmarks or their absence are still a point of identification and collection for many folks. Increased shenanigans with the mintmarks, though, do dilute the original intent, i.e., identify the source of the coin.
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
Mintmarks should be replaced by numbers and have lucky ones entered in a lottery and everyone would start looking at their coins again and the hobby would be in all the papers and all sorts of good things would begin to happen.
the mint marks are still fun to me to collect as well jmo
I like having mint marks and would hope they continue... even add them when coins are struck outside the normal process - i.e. cents at West Point....Cheers, RickO
Mintmarks are still important. I think they need to put the proper mintmark on coinage. 2018-W Lincolns would add to the collecting. Having a no-mintmark (Philadelphia) coin minted in West Point defies the purpose of the mintmark intent.
Once a person becomes knowledgeable of coins and to the hobby, without doubt, the mint mark becomes important. It connects the coin to a location and a time period and that adds to the allure. Not knowledgeable of the modern coining processes is there a reason why all coins, including bullion silver and gold, don't have a mint mark?
@tyler267 What do you disagree with?
Having a no-mintmark (Philadelphia) coin minted in West Point defies the purpose of the mintmark intent.
Having a label that says ("W") on a coin having no mintmark is even crazier.
I knew it would happen.
This
I say a mint mark should be required by law as part of a record of authenticity, quality control, and Just add the damn mm and don't make a big deal out of it! Peace Roy
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I'm sorry I was trying to agree with your post, and hit disagree by mistake.