Presidential Coins

Buy Presidential Dollar Coins Online

Honor America's historical presidents with our selection of Presidential dollar coins for sale at Bullion Shark! The United States Mint issued $1 coins featuring U.S. president portraits in the order that they served. The program began in 2007 featuring Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison. Continue reading to learn more about presidential dollar coins.

Worth mentioning, that in December 2011, the United States Mint suspended minting and issuing circulating Presidential $1 Coins directed by Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner. Regular circulating demand for the coins will be met through the Federal Reserve Bank’s existing inventory of circulating coins minted prior to 2012.

Presidential Dollar Coins For Sale

The Presidential $1 Coin Act (Public Law 109-145) seeks to revitalize the design of United States coins and return circulating coinage to its position as an object of aesthetic beauty in its own right. Accordingly, the Presidential $1 Coins feature larger, more dramatic artwork, as well as edge-incused inscriptions of the year of minting or issuance, “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and the mint mark.

From 2007 to 2016, the Mint issued four Presidential $1 Coins per year, each with a common reverse design featuring a striking rendition of the Statue of Liberty. The composition of the Presidential $1 Coins is identical to that of the Sacagawea Golden Dollar and the Native American $1 Coins.

Presidential Dollar Coins Composition

The Presidential Dollar Coin Program, established under the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005, introduced a series of coins honoring former U.S. presidents. Although often referred to as "gold" coins, Presidential Dollar Coins are not made of actual gold. Instead, they are composed of a specialized blend of metals designed to give them a gold-like appearance while maintaining durability and affordability.

The composition of these coins includes an outer layer of manganese brass, a combination of copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel, which gives the coin its characteristic golden hue. Beneath this outer layer lies a pure copper core, making up the majority of the coin's composition. This unique mix provides the coin with its metallic luster without the use of precious metals like gold.

On the obverse (front) of each coin is a portrait of a U.S. president, while the reverse (back) features an image of the Statue of Liberty, symbolizing freedom and democracy. One of the more distinctive features of the Presidential Dollar Coins is their edge lettering, which includes the minting year, the U.S. Mint mark, and the inscriptions "E Pluribus Unum" and "In God We Trust." This edge lettering sets these coins apart from many other U.S. coins, adding to their uniqueness for coin collectors.

Although these coins are not made of gold, their design and appearance were likely influenced by famous American coins such as the Saint-Gaudens $20 Gold Pieces, which are considered some of the most beautiful coins in U.S. history.

The Presidential Dollar Coin Program was popular among both collectors and the general public, not only because of the coins' detailed designs but also because of their educational value in commemorating the nation's leaders. For coin collectors, these dollar coins present a perfect blend of historical significance, artistic detail, and unique craftsmanship, despite their non-precious metal composition.

If you're a coin collector, these coins, including the more recent additions, are excellent pieces to add to your collection, as they reflect significant moments in U.S. history while showcasing unique features like manganese brass composition and detailed edge lettering.

Presidential Dollar Coin Series Timeline

The Presidential Dollar Coin Series was launched by the U.S. Mint in 2007 following the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005, an Act of Congress aimed at honoring U.S. presidents with a dedicated dollar coin for each one. The program ran from 2007 to 2016, with a brief resumption in 2020. Each year, four new coins were released, featuring relief portraits of U.S. presidents in the order in which they served.

2007–2016: The Initial Series

The series began in 2007 with the issuance of coins honoring George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. Each coin had a portrait of the president on the obverse and the Statue of Liberty on the reverse, symbolizing freedom and democracy.

The coins were also distinctive due to their edge lettering, which included inscriptions like "In God We Trust," the mint year, and the U.S. Mint mark. Interestingly, early coins lacked "In God We Trust" on the obverse, leading to the nickname "Godless Dollars," a mistake that was quickly corrected in subsequent issues.

Each year, the U.S. Mint continued to release four coins, and by 2016, the series had honored all presidents from Washington through Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. president. Coins were issued in uncirculated condition, appealing to collectors, but failed to gain widespread use in circulation due to the public's preference for paper currency.

Challenges and Surplus

Despite its initial excitement, the Presidential $1 Coin Program faced challenges. One issue was surplus inventory. The Federal Reserve Banks accumulated an oversupply of coins due to limited demand for dollar coins in everyday transactions. This excess inventory led to concerns about taxpayer costs and prompted the U.S. government to scale back production in 2011, limiting new releases to collector sets rather than general circulation.

2020: Resuming with George H.W. Bush

After the program officially concluded in 2016, a new coin was issued in 2020 to honor George H.W. Bush, the 41st U.S. president. This coin resumed the series after a brief hiatus, commemorating Bush’s life and presidency. It was distributed similarly to prior coins, primarily aimed at collectors rather than for use in everyday transactions.

Presidential Dollar Coins Value

These Presidential coins are gold in color, made with a copper center and a brass outer layer. They are a bit bigger than a quarter. Each coin shows a president on the front. On the back, there's a big picture of the Statue of Liberty. This series was the first to have writing on the edge of the coin, something not done since the gold coins from 1907-1933.

Even though these Presidential dollar coins weren't used a lot in everyday shopping, coin collectors really like them. Collecting all of these coins is a popular and not too expensive goal. The First Spouse Coins go well with these Presidential coins, making the collection even nicer.

1. 2007 George Washington Dollar with Missing Edge Lettering Error: These error coins lack the inscriptions normally found on the edge, including "E PLURIBUS UNUM," the date, and the mint mark. Depending on the condition, these can sell for $50 to several hundred dollars each.

2. 2007 John Adams Dollar with Double Edge Lettering Error: This error features the edge lettering applied twice in overlapping fashion. In high grades, these coins can fetch from $100 to over $250.

3. 2009 William Henry Harrison Dollar with Missing Edge Lettering Error: Similar to the Washington dollar error, missing edge lettering on this coin can increase its value, potentially reaching up to $100 or more in pristine condition.

4. 2007 Thomas Jefferson Dollar with Missing Edge Lettering Error: Like other missing edge lettering errors from 2007, the Jefferson dollar with this error can be quite valuable, with prices varying widely based on condition and market demand, often reaching several hundred dollars.

5. 2007 James Madison Dollar with Missing Edge Lettering Error: Continuing the trend of 2007 errors, the Madison dollar without edge lettering also commands a premium, with values comparable to the other 2007 Presidential dollar errors.

6. 2007-2016 Proof Presidential Dollars: Proof coins, especially those graded PR70 by professional grading services, can be quite valuable. While most sell for $20 to $50, certain proofs, especially from the early or later years of the series, can command higher prices.

7. Special Sets and Limited Editions: Certain special sets, like the 2015 Coin and Chronicles Set featuring Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson, can be more valuable. The Truman set, for example, has sold for over $100 due to its limited mintage and inclusion of a reverse proof coin.

8. 2010 Abraham Lincoln Dollar with Missing Edge Lettering Error: The Lincoln dollar with missing edge lettering is another sought-after error coin, with values potentially exceeding $100 for coins in excellent condition.

Legacy of the Program

Although the Presidential Dollar Coin Program did not succeed in widespread circulation, its legacy remains strong among collectors. The coins, available in uncirculated condition, are notable for their relief portraits of the presidents, high-quality minting, and unique edge lettering. The series is a rich reflection of U.S. history, offering a visual timeline of the country’s leaders while providing insight into the intersection of artistry, politics, and numismatics.

For collectors, these coins represent an era of innovation in U.S. coinage and are highly valued in their uncirculated and proof forms. Despite the challenges, the Presidential Dollar Coin Series stands as a testament to America’s commitment to honoring its historical figures, preserving their legacy for future generations.

The Presidential Dollar Series  is an educational journey through American history. Each release has been an opportunity for individuals to learn more about the Presidents who have led the United States through its challenges and triumphs. The series has sparked interest in coin collecting among people of all ages, providing a fun and engaging way to explore the stories of America's leaders.

Beyond their collectible value, these coins have served as a tool for teaching history, civics, and the value of leadership. They remind us of the individual contributions of each President to the nation's narrative, celebrating their dedication to public service and the principles upon which the United States was founded.

Whether you're a seasoned numismatist or a newcomer to the world of coin collecting, the Presidential Dollar Series by the US Mint offers a unique and valuable collection that celebrates the legacy of American leadership. As the series has concluded, these coins now represent a complete set that chronicles the history of the Presidency in the United States, making them a cherished possession for generations to come.

How are the First Spouse Coins related to the Presidential Dollar Series, and what are their values?

The First Spouse Coins are a complementary series to the Presidential Dollar coins, introduced by the United States Mint in tandem with the Presidential $1 Coin Program. While the Presidential Dollar coins feature portraits of U.S. Presidents, the First Spouse series honors their spouses with gold coins bearing their images. Each First Spouse coin is released concurrently with the Presidential Dollar coin of their respective president, creating a paired collection that celebrates both the leaders and their partners who played significant roles in American history. The First Spouse coins are made of .9999 fine gold, contributing to their higher value compared to the base metal Presidential Dollar coins. The value of First Spouse coins varies significantly based on gold market prices, rarity, and demand among collectors. Certain issues, especially those with lower mintages or representing more popular figures, can fetch premium prices in the collector market.

What are the specific edge inscriptions on the Presidential Dollar coins, and have there been any variations or errors in these inscriptions throughout the series?

The edge inscriptions on Presidential Dollar coins include the year of minting, the mint mark (either "P" for Philadelphia, "D" for Denver, or "S" for San Francisco), "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "IN GOD WE TRUST." Initially, "IN GOD WE TRUST" was also part of the edge inscription but was moved to the coin's obverse or reverse starting in 2009 due to public demand. Throughout the series, there have been notable variations and errors in these edge inscriptions, including coins missing edge inscriptions entirely, coins with double edge inscriptions, and coins with inverted inscriptions. These errors have added an extra layer of interest and value for collectors, as error coins are often sought after for their uniqueness and rarity.

How can collectors determine the authenticity and condition of Presidential Dollar coins, especially when purchasing online or from private sellers?

Determining the authenticity and condition of Presidential Dollar coins, particularly in online transactions or purchases from private sellers, requires careful consideration. Collectors are advised to purchase coins from reputable dealers or platforms that guarantee authenticity. For condition assessment, familiarizing oneself with the Sheldon coin grading scale (ranging from Poor-1 to Mint State-70) can be helpful. High-quality, close-up photographs of the coin can provide insights into its condition, especially for online purchases. Additionally, collectors may consider coins that have been graded and encapsulated by reputable third-party grading services like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation). These services assess both the authenticity and condition of coins, providing a secure, tamper-evident holder with a grade displayed, which can significantly enhance buyer confidence, especially in the absence of a physical inspection.