Missing Mint Marks

DiggerJim · November 18, 2018 3:53AM

Let me start by saying I am new at this and will try to keep all my stupid questions to a minimum.

I have read a couple of times in articles referencing errors that the coin for example is a 1983-S penny and is missing the mint mark. if it is missing the mint mark how would I know it was minted in San Francisco?

Thanks

DiggerJim

DiggerJim · November 18, 2018 9:08AM

Thanks for the help!

DiggerJim

CommemKing · November 18, 2018 4:14AM

Because it is a proof only issue. The proofs of that year were only minted in San Francisco (S) and were only found in proof set issued by the mint. Some made it out of the mint without a mintmark and are found in the hard plastic holders issued by the mint. So, if you have a 1983 proof cent without a mintmark you hit the jackpot.

DiggerJim · November 18, 2018 4:51AM

Thanks for the quick response!!

So to be sure. The proof coin (San Francisco) will only be found in a plastic sealed holder. And the handful of 1983's with "no mint mark" are minted in Philadelphia?

DiggerJim

BillJones · November 18, 2018 4:57AM

@DiggerJim said:
Thanks for the quick response!!

So to be sure. The proof coin (San Francisco) will only be found in a plastic sealed holder. And the handful of 1983's with "no mint mark" are minted in Philadelphia?

DiggerJim

No. The “S” mint mark was left off the die Proof die when it was made. The Philadelphia Mint did not make a Proof dies for itself because no Proof coins were scheduled to be made there. Proof dies require special preparation.

Hemispherical · November 18, 2018 6:09AM

@DiggerJim

This might help. Pic from MCM.

ricko · November 18, 2018 7:48AM

It is unlikely you will find any old sets that have not been identified and priced accordingly... maybe at an estate sale or yard sale....Good luck... Cheers, RickO

JBK · November 18, 2018 8:59AM

Good question for a new collector to ask.

You were given only half the story by whoever originally told you about missing mint marks. Good that you followed up.

AUandAG · November 18, 2018 9:43AM

The 1983 proof set had DIMES missing the S mint mark. Cents were not the problem. So, you need to be searching for proof dimes from that year not proof cents.
There are several years proof coins have been made without the mint mark.

1968 has a no S dime
1970 has a no S dime
1971 has a no S nickel
1975 has a no S dime
1983 has a no S dime
and
1990 has a no S cent.

bob

DiggerJim · November 20, 2018 3:58PM

Thanks Gentlemen, I appreciate you all for taking time.

Missing Mint Marks

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