From 2007 to 2011, the United States Mint produced the one dollar coin in honor of each president of the United States. But are any of them actually worth much over face value today?
That is what we are going to find out! We will search for the highest price presidential coins made available on the market. Then, we will discover what exactly makes them unique.
If you’re ready to learn more, let’s get started!
Most Valuable Presidential Dollar Coins
1. 2007-D George Washington Dollar, First Day of Issue, MS67 $475
Less common than highly circulated coins, those struck during the presidential dollar series rarely command prices in excess of their face value. The sole feature which may appeal to a collector, however, is one that is somehow special: those releases which are issued on the very first day of the minting.
Such coins are known as “first day of issue” or FDI for short. The requirement for being designated as such is that they have to be submitted to an independent grading agency on the first day that they are sold to the general public. That in the case of the 2007 D Washington dollar was February 15, 2007.
The grading agency would write FDI onto the description of the coin that it would print on the holder. As a rule, that designation will cause a small premium to be assigned to the value of that coin.
Generally speaking, most FDI coins are still worth very little, if at all. 163 million George Washington coins were minted in Denver in 2007, and subsequently another 176 million were struck in Philadelphia in that same year, which meant that lots of coins were produced that very first day.
You’d see the mintmark on the edge of your coin, indicating where it was struck: “D” for Denver and “P” for Philadelphia.
With coins, quality and condition dictate value. The coins in the finest condition, never circulated, are classified as mint state. Look for the mint state label on coins; however, the vast majority of mint state 2007 Denver Washington dollars, as a rule, are only worth about $2.
There are exceptions, though. The finest examples – those graded MS67 by the independent coin grading agency PCGS – are much rarer, as only two coins have been certified at that level.
One sold in 2012 on the online auction site eBay for $228, and PCGS estimates them to be worth $475 each in today’s market.
2. (2007) George Washington Dollar, Missing Edge Lettering, MS68 $4,250
Some of the Washington dollars struck in 2007 don’t have any lettering on their edge. That leaves us with no way of knowing whether they were struck in Denver or Philadelphia. Oh, and by the way, missing along with the lettering was also the date.
Collectors detected the issue rather quickly, with coins unearthed as early as a couple of weeks after the coins’ launch.
At that time, no one knew how rare this blunder really was or what to call it. Since the motto “In God We Trust” was to be on the coin edge as well, some referred to it as the “Godless dollar.”
Some of the first coins discovered banged in big bucks as collectors put out a run on the rarity. In 2010, the auction record for a Washington dollar with missing edge lettering was set with a coin graded MS67 that sold for $1,007.
Because of their increasing numbers, the prices took a dive over the years. Today, that same MS67 is valued at $260 by PCGS.
However, the best representatives of specimens are attracting a big premium. Those are three coins, MS68 graded, and valued by PCGS at a staggering $4,250 each.
3. (2007) Thomas Jefferson, Missing Edge Lettering, MS68 $6,500
Numerous presidential dollars displayed have an example or two with edge lettering missing. In addition, the coins in the best condition may fetch quite a high price.
Among the coins produced in 2007, some Thomas Jefferson Commemorative coins have missing edge lettering. Because there is no mint mark, one cannot determine where it was made. There is no date mark either because these were a single-year dollar made only in 2007.
Pricing as with other presidential dollar error coins tended to commence quite high as collectors gambled on the rarely of the coins. The auction record was first set in 2009, just two years after the coins were first made. The coin sold for $1,725 and received an MS66 rating from the PCGS.
Today, we have come to know many more such specimens. So far, over 700 such specimens have been certified by the PCGS and therefore valued at just over $100 each. Also, there are more than 100 of these MS67 coins, priced at $375 each.
But it is still all serious coin out there for the crème de la crème. The award for the missing edge-lettering 2007 Jefferson dollar goes to one single coin, MS68 graded. The PCGS values that at $6,500.
4. (2007) James Madison, Missing Edge Lettering, MS67 $4,000
A story very much alike has paved the way for another presidential dollar minted in 2007 and missing the edge lettering; this coin, the fourth issue in the series, honored James Madison.
Minted in excess of 200 million coins, this coin was produced at Denver and Philadelphia, whereas a scarce few escaped edge lettering. Therefore, one in mint condition, graded MS-60 or higher, would fetch well above its face value.
According to PCGS pricing, MS60 coins sell at $70; above that grade, values climb into three-figure territory at MS63, but they leap much further at MS66 and up.
Thirty-three coins in the MS66 range have been certified by the PCGS. One of these coins was auctioned in 2013 for $441, while the PCGS currently values that coin at $600.
However, a single finer coin has been graded a point higher; its value has never been tested in public sale, but the PCGS places it at a cool $4,000.
5. (2008) John Quincy Adams Dollar, Missing Edge Lettering, MS68 $425
This dollar coin was minted in the year 2008 in honor of John Quincy Adams. The typical edge-noted dollar coins which were produced last year have been short of this edge lettering too.
This hence was very custom for collectors who encountered the pure-edged dollar coins. However it was discovered at the end that the John Quincy Adams versions were fewer than the plain edge Washington dollars.
Still the prices generally keep on falling with the time. The auction record for a plain edge Adams dollar was old to 2012. It was graded MS66 then sold for $1,104 on auction at eBay. Presently, the PCGS has certified four coins at that level, and values them at $200 each.
The best quality coins that have thus far surfaced have been graded MS68. However, as for those, the PCGS graded seventeen of them, thus they aren’t quite as in demand as those “best-in-class” types. The PCGS values them at $425.
6. 2008-D Andrew Jackson, Position A, MS67 $370
Andrew Jackson’s dollar coin is the seventh in the series of coins featuring US presidents. Minted in 2008, it was struck to the tune of just over 122 million coins, half of which were struck in Denver and hence bear the “D” mintmark on the edge. Coin edge lettering brought two distinct variants into existence with most presidential dollars. In those variants called “Position A,” the coin edge lettering is upside down from the perspective of the president’s portrait facing up. In contrast, it is the other way around in those referred to as “Position B” coins.
Circulated coins, with the possible exception of those described as “about uncirculated,” really only have face value. A mint-state coin certified as MS60 can be purchased for just a couple of dollars more.
With the grading of MS67, the best of the Position A survivors thus far has coins. The PCGS has certified seven of this variety, which has an estimated value in the present market of $370 each.
7. (2008) Andrew Jackson, Satin Finish, Missing Edge Lettering, MS69 $1,000
Even the best Jackson dollar grades have little worth yet, but suppose you get a coin with a little error it could sell at a much higher price.
For two coins, there are known specimens missing their edge lettering. There are countless such dates. But they are also what the mint calls “special strikes” minted in select numbers for collectors; they have a special satin appearance.
No such combination is unique. The PCGS has graded hundreds of Jackson dollars with missing edge lettering and satin finishes. Those have certified over 100 at SP67 alone (the PCGS uses the SP prefix for special strike coins).
However, these particular examples are in near-perfect condition, graded SP69. This is why the PCGS lists a value of $1,000 for each.
8. 2009-P John Tyler, Position A, MS68 $900
The year 2009 was the third for the minting of presidential dollars. Enthusiasm had waned by this time among some collectors, and mintages were down. Approximately 87 million coins were minted in that year to commemorate the tenth US president, John Tyler.
As in other varieties of presidential dollars, the orientation of the edge lettering determines the variation. One coin, that set records, was the Position A specimen.
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Minted in Philadelphia, it was sold only one year after release at auction. It was graded MS67 by the PCGS and went for a bid at $1,150.
But the other side of the coin: As more and more coins of better quality surfaced, these prices dropped drastically over the years. The PCGS currently grades the same coin as worth about $225. The highest-graded one is MS68 and it’s worth $900.
9. (2009) WH Harrison, Missing Edge Lettering, MS69 $1,250
William Henry Harrison, number nine in the long line of Presidents of the USA, had a coin in his honor which was issued in the year 2009. As with other presidential dollars issued in the past, an unspecified part of the mintage of 98.4 million coins were also lacking edge lettering.
Most Harrison dollars miss edge lettering and are in business at MS63 and higher. One can be bought at the lower end for $30. Prices stay in double digits for all MS grades up to and including MS67.
Upon reaching MS67+, the price rises to $200, while a coin graded MS68 goes for just under $1,000.
The best-known MS69 coin was sold twice during the past few years. In 2019, it had a modest auction at Heritage Auctions in which it realized $456. Just three years later, it would find itself again for sale on eBay. The coin would sell for a best offer of $1,250.
10. (2010) Millard Fillmore, Missing Edge Lettering, MS69 $5,500
The 13th president Millard Fillmore saw the striking of dollar coins in commemoration of his presidency in 2010. Mintages have continued on a decline and near about 74.5 million coins were struck.Best Coin Dealer Near Me
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But by the time three years had passed since the first presidential dollars were issued, the problems of missing edge lettering continued. And collectors have always been willing to pay a premium for nice examples of coins with this error.
Mint state examples can be found for around $15, while specimens graded MS65 stand in the catalogue at around $40. Anything close to that grade is plentiful, with PCGS certifying over 1,000 coins at that designation.
That certainly was not the case before. The auction record for this mintage and error at $646 was established in 2016 for an MS65 coin. So gambling on the rarity of modern coins does not always pay off!
And even present, a coin of this type keeps an MS68 appreciation level. The population at the PCGS stands at about 270 coins at this grade and commands an appreciable value of $275.
It is a different story if you jump up half a grade; an MS68+ would be valued at approximately $875. And the real crème de la crème is one better piece, graded MS69, which has a PCGS value of $5,500, though it has not yet been sold.
Presidential coins you can make money with.
Well, this brings us to the end of the exploration of a few most valuable presidential dollars. We’ve enjoyed tracking some of the details about them.
Circulated coins usually aren’t worth more in value than face value. However, if you happen to have a perfect specimen, that can be worth quite a lot-more-so if it has an interesting error.
FAQS:
What is the basis in value for a Presidential Dollar Coin?
The factors that can make a coin rise from its common value include scarcity due to low mintage, error minting, proof conditions, or uncirculated condition.
Do all Presidential Dollar Coins have worth other than face value?
No, most would be $1, but some might be rare, have errors, or simply be in pristine condition, making them potentially worth much more.
Which Presidential Dollar Coin is the most valuable one?
Another of the most valuable coins is the 2007 George Washington Dollar with missing edge lettering error, which is typically worth several hundred dollars.
How do I know if my Presidential Dollar Coin is rare?
Mint marks, errors (like missing edge inscriptions), and proof-quality finishes will indicate it. You can also consult coin value guides or get it appraised.
Where do I go to sell valuable Presidential Dollar Coins?
You can sell them through outlets like eBay, Heritage Auctions, or accredited coin dealers and collectors’ forums.