What Is the U.S. Presidential Dollar Coins Program?

The United States Mint created the  Presidential $1 Coin Program as a way to honor our nation’s presidents by issuing $1 coins with their image and releasing them in the order they served their presidency. These U.S. coins are golden in color and feature the portraits of each president on the obverse and the Statue of Liberty on the reverse. Continue reading to learn more about presidential dollar coins.

When Did the U.S. Mint Release the Presidential Dollar Coins?

The  Presidential Dollar Coins launched in 2007 with the first four Presidents; George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. The Presidential Dollars were released with four different designs each year through 2015. In 2016, three designs were issued then one final presidential coin was added to the series in 2020.

Under the provisions of The Presidential $1 Coin Act (Public Law 109-145), signed in 2005 by George W. Bush, coins were only issued for Presidents who had been deceased for a minimum of two years. If a President served two consecutive terms, only one coin was issued. However, if a President served for two nonconsecutive terms (like in the case of Grover Cleveland), a coin was issued for each period of service.

In addition to the Presidential Dollar releases from the U.S. Mint, presidential proof sets were released from 2007 to 2016, with proof versions of all the coin releases in the given year.

Who Made the Design?

The secretary of the Treasury selected the design made by U.S. Mint Sculptor Don Everhart as the standard reverse of the Presidential $1 Coins. His design includes a striking rendition of the Statue of Liberty along with the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination.

The coin’s obverse portraits were created by various designers over the years. The overall composition of the Presidential Coin is identical to the Sacagawea Golden Dollar and the Native American $1 Coin.

You will find the year of issuance included on the edges of the coins, as well as the mint mark of “P” representing the Philadelphia Mint, “D” for the Denver Mint, or “S” for the San Francisco Mint, along with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The motto was later moved to the obverse in 2009.

In 2007 and 2008, the words IN GOD WE TRUST were added to the edge of the coin. The Philadelphia and Denver Mints struck coins for circulation, whereas the San Francisco Mint created proof coins.

When Was the Last Coin Released by the United States Mint?

The series came to a conclusion in 2016 with dollar coins issued to honor Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. In 2020, one final coin was added to the series in honor of George H.W. Bush.

Coins were struck and released for general circulation from 2007 to 2011. However, in December 2011, Treasury Secretary Geithner directed the U.S. Mint to suspend production for circulation. He instructed Mints to use existing inventory to meet demand due to a surplus of Presidential Coins held in storage.

From 2012 onward, Presidential Dollars were struck at the Denver and Philadelphia U.S. Mint facilities only in the amount necessary to meet the demand for numismatic products.

Which presidential dollar coins are rare?

The most popular and, therefore, the most valuable uncirculated Presidential Coins are typically reflected by the number of pieces the U.S. Mint made. Additionally, Presidential Dollars with errors have been quite popular versus the circulated versions with only face values.

Several Presidential Error Coins have been identified over the years. It’s not often that the U.S. Mint lets errors slip through the strict quality control standards of the Mint. These coins’ novelty makes them very attractive for coin collecting.

Some of the error coins include the 2007 George Washington Dollars with missing edge lettering, the 2007 John Adams Dollars with doubled lettering on the edges, and even blank lettered planchets.

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Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Dollar Coins were issued in 2015. He was the 34th President from 1953 to 1961.

The Medallic Artist for the obverse design was Joseph Menna. Eisenhower Presidential Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “D,” or “S.”

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan Presidential Dollar Coins were issued in 2016. Reagan was the nation’s 40th President from 1981 to 1989.

The obverse design was created by Medallic Artist Joseph Menna and Designer Richard Masters. Ronald Reagan Presidential Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “D,” or “S.”

Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman Presidential Dollar coins were issued in 2015. He was the 33rd President from 1945 to 1953.

The front-facing portrait on the obverse was designed and sculpted by Don Everhart. Harry S. Truman Presidential Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “D,” or “S.”

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson Presidential Dollar coins were issued in 2008. He was the 7th President from 1829 to 1837.

The obverse portrait was designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Jim Licaretz. Andrew Jackson Presidential Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “D,” or “S.”

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson Presidential Dollar coins were issued in 2007. He was the 3rd President from 1801 to 1809.

The obverse designer and sculptor was Joseph Menna. Thomas Jefferson Presidential Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “D,” or “S.”

John Adams

The John Adams Presidential Dollar coins were issued in 2007. Adams was our young nation’s 2nd President from 1797 to 1801.

Joel Iskowitz was the obverse designer, and Charles L. Vickers was the sculptor. John Adams Presidential Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “D,” or “S.”

James Madison

James Madison Presidential Dollar coins were issued in 2007. He was the 4th U.S. President from 1809 to 1817.

The coin's obverse design was created by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Don Everhart. James Madison Presidential Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “D,” or “S.”

James Monroe

James Monroe Presidential Dollar coins were issued in 2008. Monroe was the 5th U.S. President from 1817 to 1825.

The obverse portrait was created by Medallic Artist Joseph Menna. James Monroe Presidential Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “D,” or “S.”

John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy Presidential Dollar coins were issued in 2015. Kennedy was the nation’s beloved 35th President from 1961 to 1963.

The pensive portrait for the obverse holds special meaning for the artist Donald Everhart, who designed and sculpted the coin. Everhart was in high school when Kennedy guided the nation through the Cuban Missile Crisis and conflicts with the Society Union; the designer has vivid memories of this time.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “D,” or “S.”

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Dollar coins were issued in 2010. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th U.S. President from 1861 to 1965.

The portrait featured on the obverse was designed and sculpted by the famed Don Everhart. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Dollars may have a mint mark of “P,” “D,” or “S.”

During his lifetime, Everhart would also design six Congressional Gold Medals for the U.S. Mint. His notable sculptures include pieces for the Walt Disney Corporation and gift items for Tiffany & Co.

George H.W. Bush

George H.W. Bush Presidential Dollars were most recently issued in 2020. George H.W. Bush was the 41st American President from 1989 to 1993.

His portrait on the obverse was designed by Elana Hagler and sculpted by Joseph Menna. George H.W. Bush Presidential Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “D,” or “S.”

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Dollar Coins were issued in 2013. Theodore Roosevelt was the nation’s 26th President from 1901 to 1909.

Roosevelt’s portrait on the obverse was designed by Medallic Artist Joseph Menna. Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Dollars may have a mint mark of “P,” “S,” or “D.” It was minted in Denver and Philadelphia.

Menna would go on to become the 14th Chief Engraver at the United States Mint. He is a repeat winner of the Krause Publications’ Coin of the Year award.

George Washington

George Washington Presidential Dollars were the first coins issued in 2007. George Washington was, of course, the 1st U.S. President from 1789 to 1797.

Joseph Menna, who became the 14th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, designed the portrait for this special coin. George Washington Presidential Dollar Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “S,” or “D.”

Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford Presidential Dollar Coins were issued in 2016. Gerald R. Ford was the 38th American President from 1974 to 1977.

The designer of his portrait on the obverse was Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill. Gerald Ford Presidential Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “S,” or “D.”

Hemphill has won many awards, including the Renaissance Sculpture Award from the Franklin Mint. Before joining the U.S. Mint, she worked as a sculptor for a toy company in New Jersey.

Lyndon B. Johnson

Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Dollars were issued in 2015. Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th U.S. President from 1963 to 1969.

The portrait of Johnson featured on the obverse was designed by Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso. Lyndon Johnson Presidential Dollar Coins may have a mint mark of “P,” “S,” or “D.”

Where Can You Buy Rare Presidential U.S. Coin Sets?

Whether you are searching for presidential coins or something from a shipwrecked boat, Bullion Shark is the gold, silver, and rare coin dealer you can rely on. With a Better Business Bureau Rating of A+ and being an NGC Authorized Dealer, you can trust your collection will be of the finest quality.

FAQ

Which U.S. president is on the $1 bill?

George Washington, the first president of the United States, is featured on the $1 bill.

Who is on the $2 bill?

Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, appears on the $2 bill.

Which president is depicted on the $5 bill?

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, is on the $5 bill.

Who appears on the $20 bill?

Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, is currently on the $20 bill.

Which U.S. president is on the $50 bill?

Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president, is featured on the $50 bill.

Is any president on the $100 bill?

Benjamin Franklin, who was never a president but is one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, is featured on the $100 bill.

Are there any living presidents depicted on U.S. currency?

Current U.S. policy prohibits living persons from being depicted on currency, so no living president is featured on any regular issue of U.S. currency.

Which presidents are on U.S. coins?

Several presidents appear on U.S. coins, including George Washington on the quarter, Thomas Jefferson on the nickel, Abraham Lincoln on the penny, and Franklin D. Roosevelt on the dime. Additionally, the Presidential Dollar Coins series features presidents in the order they served.

Why is Alexander Hamilton on currency if he was never a president?

Alexander Hamilton, featured on the $10 bill, was never president but was a key figure in the founding of the United States, serving as the first Secretary of the Treasury. His significant contributions to the country's financial system earned him this honor.

What criteria determine which presidents are featured on U.S. currency?

Decisions on whose likenesses appear on U.S. currency are typically made by the Secretary of the Treasury, often influenced by historical significance, popularity, and contributions to the country. Public opinion and historical context at the time of design changes also play roles.

Sources:

Presidential $1 Coin Program | United States Mint

Don Everhart | NGC Coin

The Meaning of 'E Pluribus Unum' | The Spruce Crafts

Grover Cleveland | Biography & Facts | Britannica