Some United States dollar coins appear to be without a date. This is due to a change in the minting process, starting around 2007-2009, where the date and mint mark were moved from the face of the coin to its edge . This applies to:
- Sacagawea dollar coins: If you have a Sacagawea dollar with no date on the front, check the rim or edge of the coin, according to Coinappraiser.com.
- Native American dollar coins: These coins, introduced after 2008, celebrate the contributions of various tribes and individuals. The date and mint mark are located on the edge.
- Presidential dollar coins: Similarly, these coins, featuring US presidents, have the date and “In God We Trust” inscribed on the edge.
While finding a dollar coin with no date on the face might seem unusual, it’s actually the norm for coins minted after 2007-2009. Therefore, most such coins are worth their face value ($1).
However, there’s an exception: error coins . Some dollar coins, due to errors in the minting process, were released into circulation with missing edge lettering, including the date. These are known as “Missing Edge Lettering” (MEL) errors or “Smooth Edge Dollars”.
If you believe you have a dollar coin with genuinely missing edge lettering:
- Inspect the edge carefully: Use a magnifying glass to check for any faint traces of the date or mint mark.
- Consult a professional: If you suspect an error, have the coin examined by a reputable coin dealer or consider sending it to a professional grading agency for authentication and valuation.
Please be aware: It’s possible for someone to intentionally remove the edge lettering from a dollar coin, attempting to create a fake error coin. An expert can usually distinguish between genuine errors and altered coins.
Are coins without dates worth anything?
Thanks for asking. A coin collector must know the date to determine the rarity and value of the nickel. For example, undated buffalo nickels are worth about $0.06 each, but only because people use them for jewelry, shirt buttons, and other uses. All other types of nickels without dates are pretty much only worth face value.
Why do some dollar coins not have a date?
U.S. Coins without dates are normally coins that are worn, suffer as a result of Mint errors (e.g. U.S. Mint Dollar Error Blank Planchet – Type II No Date) or simply because someone decided to file the dates off.
Which $1 coin is rare?
Among them, the 1884 and 1885 Trade Dollar coins are exceptionally rare, with only ten and five known to exist, respectively. In fact, in 2006, one 1884 Trade Dollar was auctioned for a staggering $3.3 million! But even more common dates of these dollar coins can be worth a lot of money, especially in higher grades.