Why are there dates on coins?

[OxShoeDrew]

Why does it matter what year a coin was made? Numismatists care, but do they date them just for them?

[coinnut]

It may stem from the days that the King authorized you to produce coins for a certain time frame. That is the reason that all Pine tree shillings, etc are dated 1652 even though it is believed they were produced for many years after. I don't think it is done for our collecting benefit, but more for an inventory purpose.

[MangoAve]

I think it's quality control and to keep track of how many were minted in the year. Also for mint marks.

[giant056]

I don't know the exact reason why there's dates on coins but I'm glad there is

[tanacat]

Me too 1820 is my oldest. The date helped me earn respect from my hubby (my obsession which I prefer to call a passion ) When he first saw it he glazed over and said "wow, that is old... I mean that is REALLY old!" When I first started hunting I think he imagined I'd just be finding clad my whole life. Now he's supportive and hopeful I find a trunk of "dated" gold coins LOL

[OxShoeDrew]

Me too 1820 is my oldest. The date helped me earn respect from my hubby (my obsession which I prefer to call a passion ) When he first saw it he glazed over and said "wow, that is old... I mean that is REALLY old!" When I first started hunting I think he imagined I'd just be finding clad my whole life. Now he's supportive and hopeful I find a trunk of "dated" gold coins LOL

While trying to find coin dating info I was "struck" by the amount of coins that were minted in years that differed from the date printed on the coin. Many silver 64s were made in 65 and 66. Many of the counterfeit colonials were made years after the coin date. Weird.

[aloldstuff]

I think that the dates are there just for the guys minting them.....so they can say, yup, I made that coin....

[Cheap Thrills]

Clad coins are not worthy of dates especially zinc pennies .

[freemindstuck]

I think the dates are there to keep the engravers employed.