Expert: Ronald Fern - 11/27/2009

Question
I am finding a few S mint marked coins as I search through my pennies.  I thought San Fansisco minted coins were from proof sets after a certain year.  Are the coins I am finding taken out of proof sets, mint sets, or did San Fransisco mint circulation coins? If so- what years did San Fransisco only make proof coins? Any help would be appreciated.  I have done some searching on the web and have found conflicting info. Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hi Kevin:

Thanks for your question.

See link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Cent

The last "S" mint business strike cent was 1974. The new Mint at San Francisco was opened in 1937. Beginning in 1955, circulating coinage from San Francisco was suspended for 13 years. In 1968, it took over most proof coinage production from the Philadelphia Mint, but continued striking a supplemental circulating coinage from 1968 through 1974. Since 1975, the San Francisco Mint has been used only for proof coinage, with the exception of the Susan B. Anthony dollar from 1979-81 and a portion of the mintage of cents in the early 1980s. The dollars bear a mintmark of an "S", but the cents are otherwise indistinguishable from those minted at Philadelphia (which bear no mintmarks, unlike those years' proof cents from San Francisco and circulation cents from Denver). It is located at 155 Hermann Street, but does not allow visitors.

If you want an opinion on the value of your coins, they need to be properly graded. Please review the link I provide to better grade your coin by comparing the examples to your pieces.
Link: http://coinauctionshelp.com/How_to_grade_lincoln_cents.html

Remember, should you choose to sell your coins, get at least two estimates from professional coin dealers (PNG). I've listed a link for you to find them in your area.
Link: http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

Dealers normally pay between 50% to 60% of retail for items they want.

You may want to check eBay listings in the cent category under US coins from time to time to see if coins like yours are listed and what they are going for. You may also want to check out this link on coin values: http://values.hobbizine.com/wheat-cents.html

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.