What is Bag Mark?
Surface marks on coins that come from being stored in mint bags. Nicks are most common on large, heavy silver and gold coins. Also known as contact marks or keg marks.
Bag marks can be anything including marks on coins from minting, marks, or made when coins of the same denomination rub against each other in a distribution bag. However, that applies only if the coins were unmarked, to begin with. Today when coins are minted and dropped into large hoppers, the receptacle that the coins are collected in, the coins ding against each other leaving marks before they leave the mint. Once the hoppers are emptied the coins are placed in holding cases and cloth bags to be transported to banks. Banks also often keep coins in the bags and place them in cash drawers which allows for the increased coin-to-coin contact.
Heavier coins like silver or half dollars are more prone to marking than the smaller coins. Coins made from softer metals like gold and copper are more likely to receive marks than nickel coins. Coins that do not have marks are relatively rare, but there are a few instances in which coins can be sold or acquired mark free. Visitors to early Mint can buy mark-free coins, in addition, visiting dignitaries are sometimes gifted coins that have never been in contact with bags or other coins.
What people ask…
What is a Bag Mark?
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