Who Is on the Dollar Coin and Why?
Dec 19th 2022
U.S. Dollar Coins
The U.S. dollar coin might not be used for everyday transactions all that often. But it's undeniably one of the most beautiful — and satisfying to hold! — coins currently in circulation. However, there's more than one dollar coin currently in circulation. You probably already know about the Sacagawea Dollar, but what about the others?
Let’s break down who’s on the dollar coin and why in detail.
What U.S. Dollar Coins Are Currently in Circulation?
At the time of this writing, there are many U.S. dollar coins still in circulation, meaning you can use them just as much as a dollar bill. Some are still made by the United States Mint.
Native American Dollar Gold Coin (The Sacagawea Dollar)
TheSacagawea Dollar, or Native American dollar coin, was first issued by the U.S. Mint in 2000. It was created with a layer of manganese brass, resulting in its signature golden color. While the obverse design features Sacajawea, the famous Native American woman who assisted with the Lewis & Clark expedition, the reverse face features an image of an eagle.
This iconic Native American $1 coin was popular for several years, and it transferred into a new coin program that included different reverse faces each year starting in 2009. Nowadays, new Sacagawea coins are produced for coin collectors only, though you can still find many of these gold dollars in circulation due to their earlier popularity and the sheer number minted by the government.
Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coin
The Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coin replaced the Eisenhower Dollar and was originally minted between the years of 1979 and 1981. However, another minting spree occurred in 1999 on the order of Congress.
This iconic coin features the likeness of the historical and critically important suffragette leader Susan B. Anthony. Meanwhile, the reverse design side shows an American Eagle landing on the moon. This is an adaptation of the exact same Apollo 11 insignia that was used on the Eisenhower Dollar.
Dollars No Longer Found in Circulation
Dwight D. Eisenhower Dollar
The Eisenhower Dollar was, as its name suggests, minted with the likeness of this former U.S. president on the obverse side. The Eisenhower dollar was minted from 1971-1978.
The obverse side has “E Pluribus Unum” and “in God, we trust,” along with Eisenhower’s likeness. As noted above, the reverse side features an adaptation of the Apollo 11 mission insignia.
This coin was minted in Denver, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. You can sometimes find this coin in circulation partially due to its newness. It's also quite colorful and bold compared to other U.S. dollar coins in circulation. These pieces are definitely worth more than their face value.
American Silver Eagle Coin
The American Silver Eagle coin has a weight and purity that are both guaranteed by the U.S. government plus are allowed as investments in an IRA/individual retirement account. Each American Silver Eagle coin contains oneTroy ounce of 99.9% pure silver, so they’re quite valuable.
These coins were first issued in 1986 but are still minted today. The obverse side features a design of the Statue of Liberty and the sun. Until 2021, the reverse side featured an eagle with a shield. Since 2021, the reverse side features an eagle about to land while carrying an oak branch.
Morgan Dollar
The Morgan Dollar, also called the Morgan silver dollar, is one of the most valuable coin you can collect. This Old West-style coin features a little more than three-quarters of an ounce of 90% silver, and much of that silver was mined from Comstock Lode in Nevada.
The Morgan Dollar was produced over 27 years: first from 1878 to 1904 and then again in 1921. In total, there were 657 million Morgan Dollars produced with 96 different mint and date combinations. These coins can be pretty rare as hundreds of millions were melted for their silver, so the actual number in existence is far lower than the original mintage numbers.
Peace Dollar
Often called thelast true silver dollar, the Peace Dollar was originally minted at the end of 1921. To replace the Morgan dollars, the U.S. Mint issued the Peace Dollar to represent the end of the recent end of World War I. This was the last silver dollar with 90% pure silver to be put into circulation.
Unfortunately, production ceased shortly after the Great Depression. Still, this classic American coin is a prized treasure for collectors and features a timeless design that was struck in .900 fine silver.
Seated Liberty Silver Dollar Coin
The Seated Liberty dollar was the second-ever silver dollar coin made by the U.S. Mint. It stayed in production for over 30 years. These coins can often be found in lower grades, but locating uncirculated examples can be difficult.
However, the majority of Seated Liberty silver dollars are in poor condition because they’ve been around since the mid-1800s. Generally, the most valuable Seated Liberty silver dollars are those that were made the earliest. Every version of this coin features an image of Lady Liberty seated on a stone with a shield of the American flag at her side.
What Are the U.S. Mint Marks on Dollar Coins?
Mint marks are identifying letters that tell you where a specific coin was minted or made. The U.S. Treasury operates several minting facilities across the U.S., though most minting occurs in Philadelphia. Throughout history, some minting facilities have been closed. Therefore, a coin's mint mark can also give you some insight into its history or minting date.
U.S. dollar coins have been minted with several different mint marks. Here's a breakdown of the mint marks you can find on the above dollar coins:
Denver (D)
D is the mint mark of Denver, Colorado. Denver still mints coins of all types, including new U.S. dollar coins. This mint mark first appeared in 1906, taking over for Dahlonega, Georgia.
Philadelphia (P)
P is the mint mark of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although most minting has historically taken place at this facility, the P mint mark was only introduced in 1979.
West Point (W)
The W mint mark is for West Point, New York. This facility has been minting dollar coins and other coins since 1984.
Carson City (CC)
The CC mark is for Carson City, Nevada. This minting facility minted coins from 1870 to 1893 but no longer performs any minting functions.
Charlotte ( C )
The C mark is for Charlotte, North Carolina. This minting facility actually only minted gold coins, including gold dollar coins. However, it is no longer in operation; it minted coins from 1838 to 1861.
Dahlonega (D)
The D mint mark was for the above-mentioned Dahlonega, Georgia, which minted coins exclusively from 1838 to 1861. This mint did not produce silver dollars but did produce some gold dollar coins.
New Orleans (O)
The O minting mark is for the New Orleans, Louisiana, mintage facility. It had two periods of minting: 1838 to 1861 and 1879 to 1909. However, the facility no longer mints new coins.
Add Rare U.S. Mint Coins to Your Coin Collection
As you can see, there are plenty of great U.S. dollar coins you can add to your collection, provided you find the right place to purchase them! Bullion Shark is the most trustworthy and best-stocked gold, silver, and rare coin dealer in business today.
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Sources:
Sacagawea Golden Dollar | USMint.gov
E Pluribus Unum–Out of Many, One | Harvard Museums of Science & Culture