In summary, the value of a gold dollar coin depends on whether it’s a genuine historical gold coin or a modern “golden” dollar.
Here’s the breakdown
- Composition: These coins are made of actual gold, typically 90% pure.
- Value: They are worth significantly more than their face value. Even in poor condition, they are worth at least $100 for their gold content alone.
- Collector’s Value: Rare dates and mint marks, particularly those in excellent condition, can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars, far exceeding the value of the gold itself.
- Identification: They are smaller than a dime, measuring about 15mm across.
- Composition: These include Susan B. Anthony dollars, Sacagawea dollars, Presidential dollars, and American Innovation dollars.
- Value: Despite their golden appearance, these coins contain no precious metals and are only worth their face value of one dollar.
- Identification: They are significantly larger than the historic gold dollars, roughly the size of a quarter.
- If your “gold” dollar coin is from 1849-1889 and is smaller than a dime, it is valuable and worth getting professionally appraised.
- If your “gold” dollar coin is from 1979 or later and is the size of a quarter, it is likely only worth one dollar.
Is it worth keeping gold dollar coins?
Great question! Sum Up. If your gold dollar coin is dated between 1849 and 1889 and is smaller than a dime, you’ve got something valuable. At minimum, it’s worth $100+ for the gold content alone. More likely, it’s worth $150-500 if it’s a common date, and potentially thousands or tens of thousands if it’s scarce.
Are 1 dollar gold coins actually gold?
Are Gold Dollar Coins Real Gold? Yes! Issued from 1849-1889, the American one dollar gold coin weighed exactly 1.672 grams and contained 1.505 grams of gold.