Privy Marks OF THE UNITED STATES MINT

SYMBOLS OF HISTORY THAT ADD MARKETING APPEAL

- BY MICHAEL GAROFALO

The United States Mint was first established in 1792. The U.S. Mint has experienced a reliance on ever-changing technology, as evidenced by their progression from the use of screw presses to laser engraved designs. There have been quite a few innovations over the last 233 years. But minting coins with “privy marks” on them is a practice much older than the Mint itself.

A privy mark is a small symbol, picture, letter or number that conveys a special meaning. These privy marks are typically punched into the die to be struck as part of the design of the coin.

The term “privy mark” stems from the French word privé, which was derived from the Latin word privatus, which means to be set apart or private.

Privy marks can convey a special celebration, information about the specific coin or its manufacture, or might be used to enhance a coin’s security and anti-counterfeiting properties. Unlike a mint mark, which is typically a letter or symbol used to indicate where a coin was minted, privy marks can take many different shapes and sizes.

Some of the earliest privy marks were those placed on English hammered coins during the reign of King Edward III (1327-1377). These privy marks were placed on both gold and silver coins to deter counterfeiting by both citizens and warring factions.

While many countries have used privy marks over the centuries, the Royal Canadian Mint has utilized privy marks much more often than many other countries. From privy marks depicting a maple leaf to the Titanic ship and fireworks, the Royal Canadian Mint has used many different privy marks and often marketed them as a great deterrent to counterfeiting.