The George Washington gold dollar was the first coin of the U.S. Presidential $1 Coin Program, started in 2007 to honor American presidents in order of service. Despite its color and shine, this dollar is not made of gold. It consists of a copper core with outer layers of zinc, manganese, and nickel that give it a gold-like appearance.
The coin was a symbol of change in modern U.S. minting. For the first time, inscriptions such as “In God We Trust” and “E Pluribus Unum” appeared on the coin’s edge instead of the obverse or reverse.
Public attention to the $1 coin picked when early issued pieces appeared without the edge lettering — the famous “Godless Dollar”. But what else is special about this dollar?
Coin Overview and Main Parameters
The George Washington Dollar Coin set the visual and technical standard for all later issues in the Presidential $1 Coin Program.
Specifications Table
| Feature | Description |
| Year of Issue | 2007 |
| Series | Presidential $1 Coin Program |
| Composition | 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, 2% nickel |
| Weight | 8.1 g |
| Diameter | 26.5 mm |
| Edge | Lettered — “In God We Trust,” “E Pluribus Unum,” year, mint mark |
| Designer (Obverse) | Joseph Menna |
| Designer (Reverse) | Don Everhart |
| Mint Marks | P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco Proof) |
| Finish Types | Circulation, Satin, Proof |
| Obverse | Portrait of George Washington |
| Reverse | Statue of Liberty |
The obverse shows a portrait of George Washington, with fine relief and bold text around the rim. On the reverse, you can see the Statue of Liberty – a symbol of freedom and continuity.
The edge lettering replaced the traditional motto placement and became a twist of the coin. Each dollar carries its mint mark, year of minting, and motto along the edge, a practice not used since the early 19th century.
Collector’s note: Always inspect the edge under angled light. Missing or faint lettering indicates a potential error coin that is more valuable than standard circulation value.
Varieties and Versions Released
Several versions of the George Washington dollar were struck, each with subtle differences affecting value.
Main Varieties
- 2007-P (Philadelphia Mint)
- Largest mintage, intended for general circulation.
- Some pieces have partial or missing edge lettering due to production speed.
- 2007-D (Denver Mint)
- Similar mintage volume, but strikes are often sharper.
- Known for minor lettering misalignments or upside-down inscriptions.
- 2007-S (San Francisco Proof)
- Proof versions made for collectors only.
- Highly reflective fields and frosted portraits, not released for circulation.
- Satin Finish (Mint Set only)
- Produced in limited numbers with a smooth, matte texture.
- Distinct appearance compared to regular uncirculated coins.
Interesting fact: Proof coins do not have inscriptions on the edge, as they are minted using a different technology and are processed for demonstration purposes.
Known Errors and Rare Varieties
Error coins are what make this dollar series popular among collectors. Production began quickly in 2007, and thousands of coins left the mint with visible mistakes.
Registered Errors and Their Market Values (2025)
| Error Type | Description | Value Range |
| Missing Edge Lettering (“Godless Dollar”) | Lacks “In God We Trust,” “E Pluribus Unum,” and the year on the edge. | $100–$1,200 |
| Double Edge Lettering | Letters struck twice, overlapping visibly. | $50–$200 |
| Weak Edge Lettering | Shallow or incomplete edge inscriptions. | $25–$75 |
| Upside-Down Edge | Lettering inverted relative to the obverse. | $30–$100 |
| Blank Planchet | Unstruck blank coin. | $200–$400 |
| Off-Center Strike | Misaligned design, part of rim missing. | $80–$250 |
The “Godless Dollar” remains the best-known example, with some pieces selling for over $1,000 shortly after discovery. Most were Philadelphia strikes, but Denver also produced a smaller number.
Collector’s note: Remember that all edge errors should be authenticated by PCGS or NGC before sale. Certified examples have better resale potential and are more trusted than raw ones.
Market Value — What Is the George Washington Dollar Worth Today?
Even without errors, these coins maintain collector interest. Its value depends mainly on condition, finish, and whether it was part of a special mint release or a regular circulation batch.
Value Chart (2025)
| Grade | Circulated | Uncirculated (MS60–MS65) | High Grade (MS67–MS68) | Proof (S Mint) | Error Coins |
| Average Price | $1 | $3–$15 | — | $10–$25 | $50–$1,200 |
| Top-Grade Examples | — | — | $150–$200 (MS68) | $40–$60 (PR70DCAM) | Up to $1,500+ |
Note: Regular uncirculated coins in MS67+ condition are scarcer, so they reach higher premiums, especially when graded by PCGS or NGC. Costs can change, please check before selling or buying.
Recent Auction Records
| Coin Type | Grade | Auction House | Year | Final Price |
| 2007-P Missing Edge Lettering (“Godless Dollar”) | MS66 | Heritage Auctions | 2023 | $1,380 |
| 2007-D Regular Strike | MS68 | Stack’s Bowers | 2024 | $195 |
| 2007-S Proof | PR70DCAM | eBay | 2024 | $52 |
Collector’s insight: While most George Washington dollars remain worth face value, early error varieties like the Missing Edge Lettering can reach over a thousand dollars in high grades. Proof and high-MS pieces also reached modest collector premiums (especially when slabbed by major grading services).
Collectibility and Historical Significance
The George Washington dollar is the first coin, minted as a part of the Presidential $1 Coin Program. This piece introduced a completely new look for U.S. dollar coins. It was the first circulating coin with lettering on its edges instead of inscriptions on the front or back. And this was the change that made it both distinctive and controversial.
This coin holds strong collectible and educational value. Why collectors value it:
- It was the first issue of the Presidential series, linking history, design, and innovation.
- It replaced the long-running Sacagawea design and became the first major dollar redesign in over a decade.
- This issue is affordable, while collectors still have the possibility to find valuable errors like missing or double edge lettering.
From a collecting point of view, the George Washington dollar has limited long-term potential. Regular coins are easy to find, and prices stay low. The main value lies in certified proof coins, original Mint Set pieces, and confirmed error varieties. These coins attract collector interest because of their design and place in the first year of the Presidential series.
However, investment potential remains low. Only rare edge-error examples or top-grade certified coins can show noticeable growth over time.Thus, manu collectors consider it as a good educational coin, not an investment piece.
Identifying and Organizing George Washington Dollars
Proper organization helps to preserve the condition and value of any coin. Collectors today rely on both physical and digital methods.
The Coin ID Scanner app simplifies this process:
- It identifies coins by photograph, detecting the year, mint mark, and finish.
- Provides up-to-date value comparisons and technical data.
- Allows users to store digital records with images and condition notes.
This attitude saves time when you evaluate multiple coins and helps to easily track current market changes for any specimen.
Tip: Photograph your coins in natural light or under a daylight lamp before adding them to digital records to prevent glare and capture color accurately.
FAQs
1. Is the George Washington dollar made of real gold?
No. It has a golden tone because of metal alloy in its composition: copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel.
2. Why is “In God We Trust” on the edge?
The U.S. Mint placed it there to modernize design and give more space to the obverse design. It was later moved back because of public feedback.
3. Which version is rarest?
The “Missing Edge Lettering” coins are the most valuable. Proof versions from San Francisco also hold steady collector demand.
4. Can I still find one in circulation?
Occasionally, but most were collected soon after release. Rolls sometimes appear at small banks or estate sales.
5. Should I clean my coins?
No, as cleaning damages the surface and removes natural patina that proves originality.
6. What’s the difference between circulation and proof coins?
Proofs have mirrored fields and are made for collectors. Circulation coins were struck for everyday use.
7. Are they worth keeping long-term?
Yes, as these dollars are affordable, stable in value, and historically significant as the first issue of the Presidential series.
The First President, The First Modern Dollar
The George Washington Dollar Coin remains one of the most notable modern issues from the U.S. Mint. It represents the beginning of the Presidential $1 series, technological innovation, and interest in coin collecting.
For newcomers, it offers a low-cost start with historically significant series. For experienced collectors, it remains a piece of any complete Presidential set.
Even as prices stay modest, the coin is still an important part of any modern U.S. collection. and be it stored in an album, in a graded holder, or saved digitally through Coin ID Scanner, the first Presidential dollar still marks the beginning of modern U.S. dollar coin history.
