The worth of a John Adams dollar coin largely depends on its condition and whether it has any minting errors.
- Face Value: Most John Adams presidential dollar coins you find in circulation are worth their face value, which is $1.00.
- Uncirculated Condition: If the coin is in pristine, uncirculated condition, it could be worth a few dollars, with some sources listing a value of $3 to $4 for uncirculated coins. According to NGC Coin Explorer, an uncirculated 2007 P John Adams dollar (graded MS60) could be worth $1.50 , while a higher grade (MS63) might fetch $2.50.
- Proof Coins: Proof John Adams dollars, which are specially minted for collectors and often have a mirrored finish, can be worth $10 to $20.
- Error Coins: Coins with minting errors can be significantly more valuable. The most notable error for the John Adams dollar is the missing edge lettering (sometimes called “Godless dollars” due to the missing “In God We Trust” motto). An MS64 John Adams dollar with missing edge lettering sold for over $3,000 at auction in 2009. Other potential errors, though less common for the Adams coin, include doubled edge lettering and rotated dies.
- The dates “1797-1801” on the coin represent the years John Adams was in office, not the year the coin was minted. The mint year for these coins is 2007.
- A magnifying glass may be needed to find the mint mark and date, which are located on the coin’s edge.
- The John Adams Presidential Dollar coins are not made of gold, but rather a golden-colored alloy of copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel.
- Unless you have an uncirculated coin, a proof coin, or one with a rare error, your John Adams dollar coin is most likely worth face value.
Are President $1 coins worth anything?
Good point! The most expensive Presidential Dollar coin is the 2009 SMS William Henry Harrison with missing edge lettering, graded 69/70, which can sell for up to $2,450. The least expensive among the top valuable coins is the 2007 SMS Jefferson dollar with missing edge lettering, graded 67, valued at $600.
How many John Adams $1 coins were made?
The mintage of the John Adams Dollar declined from the high levels for the first release of the series, but there were still more than 200 million produced for circulation. The Philadelphia mint produced 112,420,000 coins.