Openai/6928c8bd-a418-800a-b930-04098eeef67a

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User: When and what coins did the Philadelphia Mint put a mint mark on coins with a “P?”

When and what coins did the Philadelphia Mint put a mint mark on coins with a “P?”

Assistant: Here’s the complete, accurate timeline of when the Philadelphia Mint used the “P” mint mark, and on which coins.

Here’s the complete, accurate timeline of when the Philadelphia Mint used the “P” mint mark, and on which coins. Philadelphia normally struck U.S. coins without a mint mark, so anytime you see a “P”, it’s a special case.

✅ Full History of the “P” Mint Mark

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🕰️ 1. WWII Silver Nickels (First Ever “P”) — 1942–1945

Coins: Jefferson “Wartime” Nickels Mint mark location: Large letter above Monticello

• 1942 (silver type only)
• 1943
• 1944
• 1945

This was the first time in U.S. history Philadelphia used a mint mark. Reason: to identify the special 35% silver alloy during wartime.

🕰️ 2. Susan B. Anthony Dollars — Since 1979

Coins: SBA Dollars (1979–1981, 1999) Mint mark location: Left of the portrait

Starting in 1979, Philadelphia put its “P” on the new dollar coin because the design needed clear mint identification.

🕰️ 3. All Denominations Except Cents — Since 1980

Coins:

• Nickel (Jefferson) – P appears starting 1980
• Dime (Roosevelt) – P appears starting 1980
• Quarter (Washington) – P appears starting 1980
• Half Dollar (Kennedy) – P appears starting 1980
• Dollar Coins (SBA, Sacagawea, Presidential, Native American, Innovation dollars) – always include P when struck in Philly

Before 1980, Philadelphia put no mint mark on these coins.

🕰️ 4. A One-Year Special: The Lincoln Cent “P” — 2017 Only

Coins: Lincoln Shield Cent Mint mark location: Standard position below the date

In 2017, for the U.S. Mint’s 225th Anniversary, Philadelphia added a “P” to cents for the first and only year ever.

• 2017 cents are the only Lincoln cents in history with a P mint mark.

🕰️ Summary Table

| Denomination | First Year With “P” | Notes | | ------------------------------ | ------------------- | -------------------------------- | | Nickel (WWII silver) | 1942–45 only | Special war alloy | | Dollar coins | 1979 | SBA, then all later dollars | | All regular coins except cents | 1980 | Nickels, dimes, quarters, halves | | Lincoln cent | 2017 only | Anniversary issue |

If you want, I can also show:

• Which coins should never have a P (so you can spot errors)
• Values of P-mint coins you have
• Photos of the mint mark positions on each denomination