The year 2017 marks the 225th Anniversary of the US Mint. In celebration, the Mint is releasing a number of coins to honor it, 
but there is one coin that they have kept secret, giving the public and collectors a big surprise. This year and this year alone, the cents from Philadelphia will include a ‘P’ mint mark. I haven’t found any information about it on the usmint.gov website, but it has been leaked out. Since the first Large Cent in 1793, there has never been a ‘P’ mint mark to appear on a cent.
Philadelphia was the only US mint until the 1830’s when Charlotte, Dahlonega, GA, and New Orleans would open branch offices. To distinguish which mint the coin came from, mint marks would be added. Charlotte coins would have a ‘C’ mint mark, Dahlonega, GA with a ‘D’ mint mark, New Orleans with an ‘O’ mint mark and Philadelphia with no mint mark. As time went on, other Mint offices would open. In 1854, San Francisco would open with an ‘S’ mint mark. Carson City, NV would open in 1870 with a ‘CC’ mint mark and Denver would open in 1906 with a ‘D’ mint mark. The Dahlonega mint closed after the beginning of the Civil War in 1861. So the ‘D’ mint mark was again available. During all this time, Philadelphia coins still had no mint mark.
So When Did the First ‘P’ Mint Mark Occur
The first time the mint mark would appear the Philadelphia Mint would be 1942, 150 years after the mint first opened. This would happen on the Jefferson Nickel
when the mint changed its composition. Nickel and copper were in demand during World War II so the mint produced nickels with 35% silver. To distinguish between the silver composed nickels and nickel composed nickels, the mint marks were moved to above Monticello on the reverse and made it larger. Philadelphia minted nickel composed and silver composed nickels. To distinguish between the two, the silver
nickel would have a large ‘P’ mint mark. They kept the ‘P’ mint marks on the nickels until the end of the war in 1945. In 1946, the nickel went back to its original composition and the ‘P’ mint mark disappeared again.
The Next Time the ‘P’ Mint Mark appeared
In 1946, there were only 3 mints producing coins: Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco. The West Point ‘W’ mint mark wouldn’t appear until the 1980s. From 1965 to 1967, no mint marks were used from any mint. The ‘P’ mint mark would not appear again until 1979. This would be the first year that the Susan B. Anthony Dollars were minted and the ‘P’ mint mark stayed on it from 1979 to 1981 and 1999.
By 1980, all circulated US coins would have a ‘P’ mint mark for Philadelphia except the cent. Not sure why it was ignored on the cent. Supposedly, there were years when West Point minted pennies without a mint mark, but there is no way to distinguish between a Philadelphia or West Point penny during those years.
Keep Checking Your Change
I haven’t seen any 2017 Lincoln Cents yet. Maybe it too early seeing it’s only February, but I’m going to keep checking my change for one. Hopefully, I’ll find one soon. Have you found a 2017 cent with a ‘P’ mint mark yet?
I thought the information on your site was very informative. My father-in-law is a coin collector and I will ask him if he is aware of the “P” mark coming out on the 2017 cent.
I liked that you have the ability to have people subscribe and receive emailed information from you. I would like to ask you who maintains your mailing list and where do you host your emails?
I had no idea that there had been so many different places where the government has minted coins over the years. I was only aware of Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco.
Again, very informative. Good Job.
Thanks for the comment Frank! Like I said, the Mint kept the ‘P’ mintmark a secret so it will be a surprise to many who notice it. I maintain the mailing list, but haven’t had many subscribers yet.
That’s interesting. I never realized coins where minted to symbolize their location of minting. I I’ve collected coins before, but mostly quarters from different eras. I’ve collected special edition quarters as well. I don’t recall if Sacagewea coins have marks on them. Sacagewea coins are by far my favorite aesthetically.
Thanks for the comment Dan! I think the early Sacagawea Dollars from 2000 to 2008 had mint marks on the front of the coin, but the later Native American Dollars starting in 2009 have the year and mint mark on the edge of the coin. Good luck with the coins!
I just checked my change excitedly but no “P” for me! Do we have even any sort of guess how many of these they will print over the course of the year?
Right now I am out in California and I think I’d be shocked if any made it out here during the 2017 year, but I will be heading back to my hometown Philadelphia over the summer and will report back if I come across any. That would be my best shot!
Hey Bret! Afraid the mint is being quiet about it. So, there is no idea how many will be minted. If you’re in California, there’s a good chance that you’ll see more 2017-D pennies from Denver. Being on the East Coast, I see more Philadelphia coins but no 2017-P penny seen yet.
Just found one 07/24/17. Surprised me to find a P mint mark on a penny !
Hey Scott! Enjoy the “P” mint marks on the pennies this year, because next year, Philadelphia pennies will be back to no mint mark.
All of my 2017 cents have been from Denver.
The ones from Philadelphia seldom turn up west of the Mississippi.
Being in New England, I see more coins from Philadelphia than Denver. In fact, I don’t usually see new Denver coins till the last few months of the year. I have 3 coin rolls full of 2017-P cents. If you want a couple, let me know. I will mail them to you. Thanks for the comment Frank.