In 2007, the U.S. Mint embarked on an ambitious journey to honor the nation’s presidents through the Presidential $1 Coin Program. This initiative aimed to commemorate each president by featuring their likeness on a unique dollar coin, released in the order they served. The inaugural year saw the release of coins bearing the images of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. Beyond their commemorative value, these coins have become a focal point for collectors, especially due to certain errors that occurred during production. In this post, we’ll delve into the details of each 2007 presidential dollar coin, their mintage figures, notable errors, and their journey in the collectors’ market.
Presidential $1 Coin Program – 2007 Dollar Coins Worth Money
1. George Washington Presidential Dollar
As the first release in the series, the George Washington dollar holds a special place. The obverse features a portrait of Washington, while the reverse showcases the Statue of Liberty.
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Mintage Figures:
- Philadelphia Mint: 176,680,000 coins
- Denver Mint: 163,680,000 coins
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Notable Errors:
- Missing Edge Lettering: A significant number of these coins were released without the edge inscriptions, which include “E Pluribus Unum,” “In God We Trust,” the year, and the mint mark. This omission led to the nickname “Godless dollars.” Estimates suggest that approximately 50,000 to 100,000 coins were affected. The first discovered coin sold for around $600 on eBay, but as more surfaced, prices stabilized between $40 and $60.
2. John Adams Presidential Dollar
The second coin in the series honors John Adams, the nation’s second president.
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Mintage Figures:
- Philadelphia Mint: 112,420,000 coins
- Denver Mint: 112,140,000 coins
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Notable Errors:
- Missing Edge Lettering: Similar to the Washington dollar, some John Adams coins were released without edge inscriptions. These are rarer than the Washington errors and can fetch higher prices.
- Doubled Edge Lettering: Some coins exhibit doubled edge inscriptions, resulting from the coin passing through the edge lettering machine twice. This error is more common in Philadelphia-minted coins.
3. Thomas Jefferson Presidential Dollar
The third release features Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
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Mintage Figures:
- Philadelphia Mint: 100,800,000 coins
- Denver Mint: 102,810,000 coins
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Notable Errors:
- Missing Edge Lettering: While less common than in previous releases, some Jefferson dollars lack edge inscriptions.
4. James Madison Presidential Dollar
Rounding out the 2007 series is the James Madison coin, honoring the “Father of the Constitution.”
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Mintage Figures:
- Philadelphia Mint: 84,560,000 coins
- Denver Mint: 87,780,000 coins
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Notable Errors:
- Reverse Struck Through: Some coins exhibit areas on the reverse where the design is missing or faint due to debris on the die during striking. An example graded MS-68 was auctioned in 2019.
2007 Dollar Coins Worth Money
Production Process and Error Origins
The Presidential $1 coins were produced using a distinctive process. After the obverse and reverse designs were struck, the coins underwent a separate edge lettering process to inscribe the year, mint mark, and mottos. This additional step introduced potential for errors:
- Missing Edge Lettering: If coins bypassed the edge lettering machine, they were released without inscriptions.
- Doubled Edge Lettering: Coins passing through the edge lettering machine more than once resulted in doubled inscriptions.
- Upside-Down Lettering: The orientation of edge lettering wasn’t standardized, leading to variations where inscriptions appear upside down relative to the obverse. This is considered a normal variation rather than an error.
Market Performance and Collectability
The market for these coins has seen fluctuations:
- Initial Hype: Early discoveries of errors, especially the “Godless dollars,” led to high auction prices, with some coins selling for several hundred dollars.
- Market Stabilization: As more error coins entered the market, prices adjusted. For instance, missing edge lettering errors now typically sell for $50 to $100, depending on condition and rarity.
- Collector Interest: Unique errors, such as doubled edge lettering or high-grade specimens with pristine surfaces, continue to attract premium prices.
Conclusion
The 2007 Presidential $1 coins offer a fascinating glimpse into modern minting and the challenges of mass production. For collectors, these coins present an opportunity to own pieces rich in history, adorned with unique errors that tell the story of their creation. Whether you’re a seasoned numismatist or a casual enthusiast, the 2007 series provides a rewarding venture into the world of coin collecting.
For a visual exploration of these errors and their values, you might find this video insightful:
