What the letter “H” Stands for on Coins

Numismatics or the study of coin and paper currency is an age-old hobby that has been engaged by many people around the world. At its infancy, only the royalties were able to afford this hobby, as it was not affordable to trade rare and high-value coins.

When coins became common, coin-collecting was extended to the masses and people have started their own collections for many reasons: some for its monetary value; others for the historic significance of certain coins they collect.

If you have already started on coin-collecting, you may have come across coins that bears the letter “H” as one of its mint mark. What does this really stand for?

Digging a little bit into history, mint marks were used to trace the origin of the coins just in case the currency encounters any problem when it begins circulating. If for example the coin had discrepancies in weight, the mintmarks allow the government to trace the mint origin and have it corrected.

So going back to the letter “H”. These coins bearing the letter “H” are actually minted at the Birmingham Mint, which was owned by Ralph Heaton. The Birmingham Mint started producing coins in 1850 in cooperation with the Royal Mint until around 1907.

What does this mean for collectors?

Well, you can now have the same date and denomination coin, but with different mintages. For example, you may have in your collection the 1900 1-cent Plane that are both struck at the Royal Mint and at the Heaton Mint. Both coins would have varying rarity and values as well.

Knowing the history of your coins will help you a lot in determining their values and how you will proceed as an experienced collector. Numismatics is more than just looking for the face value of coins; it is a science that requires research and in-depth study so that you will be able to find the coins that can fit your collection best.

Whether you are a budding collector or an experienced numismatist, it is important to be connected with reliable numismatic firms that can help your source the coins that you need in your collection or to sell the ones that you do not have any penchant for. Colonial Acres Coins provide you with more than two decades of expertise and experience in numismatics and we do not only engage in buy and sell of coins but has the sincere desire of educating collectors like yourself. When it’s coins you seek, Colonial Acres is your best bet!