You've probably seen those clickbait headlines. The ones screaming about a "rare" penny or quarter worth thousands of dollars just because it's missing a letter. If you’ve been digging through your change and found a 1967 no mint mark coin, you might think you’ve hit the jackpot.
Stop. Breathe.
The truth is a lot more boring, though it's technically a weird piece of American history. Most people think a missing mint mark is a mistake. It’s not. Between 1965 and 1967, the United States Mint intentionally removed mint marks from all coins. Every single one. Whether it was struck in Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco, they all looked exactly the same.
The Great Coin Shortage of the Sixties
Why would the government do that? Basically, the mid-1960s were a mess for the Treasury. Silver prices were skyrocketing. People were hoarding silver coins because the metal inside was becoming worth more than the face value of the coin itself. At the same time, coin collecting was exploding as a hobby.
The Mint Director at the time, Eva Adams, blamed collectors and speculators for the coin shortage. She honestly believed that if the Mint stopped making "collectible" versions of coins—like those with specific mint marks—people would stop hoarding them and let them circulate.
It didn't really work. But it did give us three years of "anonymous" coins. That's why your 1967 no mint mark quarter, dime, or penny is actually the standard version of that coin. Millions were made. In fact, over 1.5 billion 1967 quarters were struck. That is a massive amount of metal.
Spotting the Real Value in 1967 Coins
So, are they all worthless? Not necessarily.
While the lack of a mint mark is normal, the condition is where the money hides. Because these coins were pumped out as fast as possible to fight the shortage, the quality control was... well, it wasn't great. Most 1967 coins you find in your pocket are "circulated." They're scratched, dull, and worth exactly what the number on the front says.
However, if you find a 1967 no mint mark coin that looks like it was minted five minutes ago, you might have something. High-grade specimens, specifically those rated MS67 or MS68 by services like PCGS or NGC, can fetch decent money. A 1967 quarter in nearly perfect condition can sell for a few hundred dollars. If it's a 1967 SMS (Special Mint Set) coin with a "Cameo" finish, collectors will definitely pay a premium.
What is a Special Mint Set (SMS)?
Since the Mint didn't make traditional Proof sets from 1965 to 1967, they made these "Special Mint Sets." They aren't quite proofs, but they're nicer than business strikes. They have a satin-like finish.
Sometimes, an SMS coin will have "Cameo" contrast. This is where the portrait of Washington or Lincoln is frosty and the background is reflective. These are the "unicorns" of the 1967 no mint mark era. A 1967 SMS Kennedy Half Dollar with deep cameo contrast can sell for thousands. But you won't find those in your couch cushions. They come in hard plastic cases from the Mint.
Actual Errors to Look For
Since the "no mint mark" thing isn't an error, what should you actually look for?
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Genuine errors from 1967 are rare but documented. Look for "Double Dies." This happens when the hub strikes the die twice at slightly different angles. On a 1967 penny, you might see doubling in the letters of "IN GOD WE TRUST" or the date.
Another one is the "clipped planchet." This is when the machine punches out a coin from the metal strip, but the strip didn't move far enough, so the new coin has a crescent-shaped bite taken out of it.
There are also "off-center" strikes. This is pretty obvious—the design is shifted to one side, leaving a blank crescent of copper or clad material. If your 1967 no mint mark coin looks physically deformed or the letters are doubled, then—and only then—should you get excited.
The Myth of the 1967 "D" or "S"
Every now and then, someone claims to have found a 1967 quarter with a "D" for Denver.
They haven't.
If there is a mark there, it’s either damage, a "countermark" (someone hitting it with a punch later), or it’s a fake. The dies used in 1967 simply didn't have the letters on them. To find a 1967 coin with a mint mark would be like finding a unicorn wearing a tuxedo. It would be the numismatic discovery of the century. But it's almost certainly just a 1961 or 1964 coin where the date is worn down and looks like a 7.
How to Handle Your Find
If you honestly think you have a high-grade 1967 coin, don't clean it. Never, ever clean a coin. You might think you're making it look better by scrubbing off the grime with some baking soda or polish.
You’re not. You’re destroying the "luster."
Professional graders can tell immediately if a coin has been cleaned. It leaves microscopic scratches on the surface that kill the value. Just put it in a soft plastic flip or a cardboard 2x2 holder.
Check the "strike." Since 1967 dies were used way past their prime to save money, many coins look "mushy." The hair details on Washington or the lines on the torch of a dime might look faded. If you have one where every single line is crisp and sharp, that's a "well-struck" coin. Collectors love those.
Actionable Steps for Your 1967 Coins
Don't go out and buy a Ferrari just because you found a 1967 no mint mark penny. Most of the time, it's just a penny. But if you're curious, here is the professional way to vet your change:
- Get a 10x Magnifier: A cheap jeweler's loupe will show you if that "doubling" is a real mint error or just "mechanical doubling" (which is common and worthless).
- Compare the Luster: Place your 1967 coin next to a brand-new 2024 or 2025 coin. Does it have that same "cartwheel" effect when you tilt it under a light? If it's dull and grey, it's a common spender.
- Check the Edges: For quarters and dimes, look at the edge. You should see a copper stripe. If the edge is solid silver, you've found a silver planchet error (extremely rare) or a silver proof that someone broke out of a set.
- Use a Database: Check PCGS CoinFacts to see what actual high-grade 1967 coins look like. Compare your coin to the photos of the MS66 and MS67 grades.
- Be Realistic: Total up the cost of professional grading (usually $20-$50 plus shipping). If your coin isn't worth at least $100, it's usually not worth sending in.
Most of these coins will stay in your pocket or a jar on your dresser. That’s okay. They’re a cool reminder of a time when the US government was so desperate for change that they tried to make coins "un-collectible" just to keep them moving through the economy.