Read the date and mark
Photograph the date straight on. On Lincoln wheat cents, D or S below the date identifies the mint; no letter means Philadelphia.
Browse by family
U.S. coin families
Choose a focused catalog for Lincoln cents or Washington quarters, then compare each date, mint mark, composition and variety.
United States · One cent
US Penny Catalog
Identify wheat cents and recognized varieties by date, mint mark, color, magnet response and weight.
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United States · Quarter dollar
US Quarter Catalog
Explore Washington, silver, Bicentennial, State and modern quarters with variety-focused guides.
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Coin reference library
Find the coin in front of you
Browse focused pages built around visible evidence: date, mint mark, design, metal, weight and diameter. Start with U.S. pennies and compare one clue at a time.
2 coin families
20 detailed coin pages
10 physical checks explained
A better way to search
Start with what the coin can prove
A date is useful, but a reliable identification comes from several clues that agree.
Check the reverse
The reverse separates major design families. Wheat ears indicate 1909–1958; later Lincoln cents use Memorial, Bicentennial or Shield designs.
Measure before judging rarity
Use a 0.01 g scale and a magnet when metal is the question. Physical evidence helps expose plating, altered pieces and false assumptions.