Where is the mint mark on a 1922 silver dollar? The 1922 silver dollar is a highly sought-after coin among collectors and enthusiasts. If you have come across one, you may be wondering – where is the mint mark located on this coin? We have the answers for you.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The mint mark on a 1922 silver dollar can be found on the reverse (tail side) of the coin, near the bottom, directly under the eagle. It will be a small letter denoting which U.S. mint the coin was struck at – D for Denver or plain/blank for Philadelphia.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about finding the mint mark on your 1922 silver dollar. With clear photos and descriptions, you’ll understand the exact placement of the mint mark and what each mint mark signifies.
We’ll also provide background on the 1922 silver dollar itself as a collectible coin and the meaning behind mint marks in general.
The Story Behind the Iconic 1922 Silver Dollar
The 1922 silver dollar is one of the most famous and coveted coins in American numismatics. By 1922, the United States economy had stabilized, and there was renewed interest in minting silver dollars.
Since millions of Morgan dollars were still unused from decades earlier, the United States Treasury decided to mint a final batch of silver dollars dated 1922 featuring George T. Morgan’s famous liberty head design on the obverse and an eagle design on the reverse.
Recovering the Lost Coins
For decades after they were struck, virtually the entire mintage of 1922 silver dollars sat undisturbed in government vaults. It was not until the 1960s and 1970s that significant numbers of 1922 silver dollars were discovered in Treasury holdings and subsequently distributed to collectors and dealers.
Those releases created immense excitement in the numismatic community. Collectors relished the chance to finally obtain beautiful specimens of this iconic coin. And ever since the 1960s discoveries, 1922 silver dollars have greatly increased in value and are now worth at least $1,000 even in lower circulated grades.
While the full story behind the limited mintage and releases may never be known, the mystery and exclusivity have only served to increase interest in this legendary issue. Nearly a century after it was produced, the 1922 silver dollar remains in the top echelon of famous American rare coins.
What is a Mint Mark and Why is it Important?
A mint mark is a small letter or symbol that is stamped onto a coin to indicate at which United States mint facility the coin was manufactured. Knowing the mint mark on a coin can provide crucial information to collectors about the coin’s rarity, date, value, and more.
There are currently four active mint facilities in the US that manufacture circulating coins: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D mint mark), San Francisco (S mint mark), and West Point (W mint mark). Historically, other mints like Carson City, New Orleans, and Dahlonega have also produced coins.
Indicates Origin and Rarity
The mint mark signifies where the coin was struck. This allows collectors to know the origin of the coin and how many were produced at that mint in that year. Mintage numbers directly impact a coin’s rarity and value to collectors.
For example, a 1921 Morgan silver dollar with the D mint mark had a mintage of 20,345,000 coins. The 1921 S Morgan dollar had a much lower mintage of 1,006,000. This makes the 1921-S a more rare and desirable coin.
Identifies Special Release Coins
Certain mints like San Francisco and West Point mostly produce special collector coins, rather than coins for general circulation. For example, the American Eagle silver bullion coins carry the W mint mark because they are struck at the West Point Mint.
Coins struck at these mints with special mint marks tend to have extra collectability and value.
Verifies Authenticity
Counterfeit and altered coins are common issues collectors must watch out for. However, counterfeiters often forget to accurately recreate the mint mark on fake coins. Collectors can use the mint mark to verify if a coin is genuine.
They can cross-reference details like the date, mint mark style, location, size, etc. to confirm authenticity.
Where is the Mint Mark Located on a 1922 Silver Dollar
The mint mark on a 1922 silver dollar indicates which mint the coin was produced at. On 1922 silver dollars, the mint mark is located on the reverse (tails) side of the coin, near the bottom under the word “ONE” and beside the eagle’s tale.
There are three potential mint marks that can appear on 1922 silver dollars:
- No mint mark – This indicates the coin was minted at the main Philadelphia mint. Philadelphia minted coins do not have a mint mark.
- D – The D mint mark stands for the Denver mint.
- S – The S mint mark indicates the San Francisco mint.
The majority of 1922 silver dollars have no mint mark, as they were produced at the high-capacity Philadelphia mint. But the Denver and San Francisco mints also produced 1922 silver dollars bearing their respective mint marks.
An easy way to locate the mint mark on a 1922 dollar is to turn the coin over and look below the eagle’s tail feathers. If there is no letter, it’s a Philadelphia coin. If a D or S appears, that indicates which mint struck that coin.
The mint marks on 1922 dollars can significantly influence the coin’s value to collectors and dealers. For example, the 1922 Philadelphia issues had extremely high production totals, so they are relatively common compared to their lower-mintage Denver and San Francisco counterparts.
This means the 1922-D and 1922-S silver dollars are worth more as semi-key date coins.
So when examining a 1922 silver dollar, be sure to check for that small but important mint mark! Its presence and letter can make a big difference.
Decoding the Different Mint Marks on 1922 Silver Dollars
The mint mark on a 1922 silver dollar indicates which US mint the coin was produced at. There were three active mints in 1922 producing silver dollars: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D mint mark), and San Francisco (S mint mark).
Philadelphia Mint
The Philadelphia mint produced the highest number of 1922 silver dollars. Coins from this mint have no mint mark.
Denver Mint
The Denver mint struck a lower quantity of 1922-dated silver dollars. These coins can be identified by a prominent D mint mark located on the reverse below the wreath.
San Francisco Mint
The San Francisco mint had the lowest output of silver dollars bearing the 1922 date. These feature an S mint mark in the same position as on the Denver mint coins.
Deciphering the mint marks provides clues about the origin and potential rarity of 1922 silver dollars. This is important information for collectors and numismatists.
Tips for Identifying Authentic 1922 Silver Dollars
Determining if a 1922 silver dollar is real or fake can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you identify an authentic coin:
Check the Weight and Dimensions
An original 1922 silver dollar weighs 26.73 grams and has a diameter of 38.1mm. Use a precision scale and caliper to check these specifications. Fakes may have incorrect weights or sizes.
Examine the Lettering and Images
Carefully inspect the coin’s lettering, designs, and images. On authentic coins, the details should be crisp and clear. Counterfeits often have indistinct or uneven elements.
Verify the Mint Mark
Authentic 1922 silver dollars have a small letter mint mark under the word “ONE” on the reverse side. This indicates the coin’s mint of origin:
- No mint mark – Philadelphia
- D – Denver
- S – San Francisco
Fakes may have incorrect or no mint marks.
Check for Signs of Wear
Since 1922 silver dollars are now over 100 years old, authentic coins exhibit wear from decades of use and handling. Be suspicious if a coin looks too pristine – it may be a counterfeit.
Use a Magnet
Silver is non-magnetic. Use a magnet to detect fakes made from magnetic metals. If the magnet sticks strongly, the coin is a fraud.
Verifying the authenticity of old silver dollars can be tricky for collectors. But carefully inspecting the details and specifications can help identify genuine 1922 coins. With practice, your counterfeit detection skills will greatly improve!
Where Is The Mint Mark On A 1922 Silver Dollar – Conclusion
As you have seen, locating and understanding the mint mark on your 1922 silver dollar is key to identifying provenance and potential value. By checking the small ‘D’ or lack thereof on the reverse under the word “ONE” and beside the eagle’s tail, you gain insight into where it was struck over a century ago.
We covered everything from the legend behind the famous 1922 Peace dollar to decoding mint marks and spotting fake or altered coins. Whether your 1922 dollar is worth a modest amount or untold thousands, we hope this guide gave you a deeper appreciation of this historic silver coin. Happy collecting!
