Sometimes it’s the little things in life that throw you the biggest curve.

Most everyone has been admonished at one time in their life to be aware of the “fine print” on documents. But what do you know about the fine print on coins?

A reader e-mailed recently to ask: “Why does the design on the Wyoming quarter appear to have a tiny three-letter mark just above the ‘m’ of unum?”

That “fine print” or three-letter mark on the Wyoming quarter represents the initials of the U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver, who executed the design. In the case of the Wyoming coin, that would be Norman E. Nemeth, who “signs” his State quarter designs nen.

Often collectors are confused by the designer’s initials on a U.S. coin; some mistake it for a Mint mark.

Two- or three-letter initials appear somewhere in the design of each of the 45 State quarter designs now in circulation. Those initials identify the Mint sculptor-engraver who worked on the coin. Read Full Story

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