Presidential Dollar Edges

With the Presidential Dollar series, for the first time in decades, lettering is being applied to the edge of a United States coin struck for circulation. Included on the edge is the date and mint mark, "E PLURIBUS UNUM", and "IN GOD WE TRUST". This page will chronicle the edge of the Presidential Dollars. Here you'll find information on edge varieties and errors. Every variety or error can't possibly be listed. What will be listed are the more notable varieties and errors with emphasis on those that are collectible, i.e. in sufficent enough quantities to be available to any numismatist seeking one.

For business strikes, the edge lettering is being applied in a seperate process after the obverse and reverse are struck. The struck coins are run through the edge lettering machine at a high speed without reguard to whether they are facing obverse up or reverse up. Therefore, coins are being struck with "edge lettering right-side-up" and "edge lettering upside-down" in relation to the obverse of the coin (SEE PHOTO BELOW). "Upside down" lettering IS NOT AN ERROR. However, it is a nice variation to collect one of each type if one is inclined to do so.

The edge lettering on proof coins is applied by a different process than on business strikes. It is applied when the coin is struck.

U. S. MINT PHOTO OF GEORGE WASHINGTON PRESIDENTIAL
DOLLARS WITH THE EDGE LETTERING RIGHT SIDE UP

EXAMPLE OF A GEORGE WASHINGTON PRESIDENTIAL
DOLLAR WITH UPSIDE DOWN EDGE LETTERING
THIS IS NOT AN ERROR (SEE TEXT ABOVE)

ANOTHER VIEW OF AN UPSIDE DOWN LETTERED
EDGE GEORGE WASHINGTON PRESIDENTIAL DOLLAR

PLAIN EDGE GEORGE WASHINGTON DOLLAR
THIS COIN MISSED THE EDGE LETTERING PROCESS

A STACK OF SEVEN PLAIN EDGE GEORGE
WASHINGTON DOLLARS

A FRESHLY OPENED ROLL WITH NO LESS THAN SIX
COINS THAT MISSED THE EDGE LETTERING PROCESS

Immediately after the George Washington Dollar's were released, a large quantity of coins were found without the edge inscriptions. Most were found in Florida. It is not known exactly how many escaped the Mint, but estimates are as much as 100,000 exists. These coins are minting errors. This error will undoubtedly recur throughout the Presidential Dollar series.

PLEASE BEWARE. There are unscrupulouis people out there filing down coins with edge lettering to pass off as genuine mint errors. Here is an off site article with photos of what to look for. Altered Washington Dollars Surface

March 7, 2007

A Statement from the United States Mint

The United States Mint has struck more than 300 million George Washington Presidential $1 Coins. We have recently learned that an unspecified quantity of these coins inadvertently left the United States Mint at Philadelphia without edge-lettering on them. It is unknown how many of these coins without inscriptions on the edge have been placed into circulation.

The United States Mint understands the importance of the inscriptions “In God We Trust” and “E Pluribus Unum,” as well as the mint mark and year on U.S. coinage. We take this matter seriously. We also consider quality control a high priority. The agency is looking into the matter to determine a possible cause in the manufacturing process.

Production of the Presidential $1 Coin, with its unique edge-lettering, is a new, complex, high volume manufacturing system, and the United States Mint is determined to make technical adjustments to perfect the process. As we adjust this new process, we intend to eliminate any such defects.

Consistent with the agency’s practice in such situations, the United States Mint has informed the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Treasury about this matter.

HERE IS A FIRST DAY OF ISSUE GEORGE WASHINGTON DOLLAR
IN A PCGS HOLDER THAT HAPPENS TO ALSO HAVE A PLAIN EDGE.

CLOSE UP OF THE PLAIN EDGE ON A GEORGE
WASHINGTON FIRST DAY OF ISSUE DOLLAR.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN BAUMGART

A relatively large quantity of 2007-P John Adams Presidential Dollars were run through the edge lettering machine twice. Estimates are that 8,000 to 12,000 pieces exists.

These errors occur in three different variations:
1) Overlapped Position A - Both sets of edge lettering running the same way but upside down in relation to the obverse.
2) Overlapped Position B - Both sets of edge lettering running the same way but right side up in relation to the obverse.
3) Inverted - One set edge lettering right side up and one set upside down.

The Mint has taken steps to prevent this from occuring again. However, anything is possible.

JOHN ADAMS DOLLAR WITH OVERLAPPING DOUBLE EDGE LETTERING

JOHN ADAMS DOLLAR WITH INVERTED DOUBLE EDGE LETTERING

Photos Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service

An underterminted number of 2007-S Proof Thomas Jefferson Dollars were struck and released with the edge lettering out of sequence. Unlike business strike Presidential Dollars where the edge lettering is applied after the coin is struck, the edge lettering on proof coins is applied at the same time they're struck. The collar containing the edge lettering is in three segments. One segment contains the date and mint mark; one segment contains the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM"; and one segment contains "IN GOD WE TRUST". On a normal proof coin, "IN GOD WE TRUST" is followed by the date and mint mark. On the out of sequence edge, "IN GOD WE TRUST" is followed by "E PLURIBUS UNUM".

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

An extra "dot" has been added to the edge of the 2008 Presidential Dollars between the date/mintmark and E PLURIBUS UNUM. A "dot" does not exist between the date/mintmark and E PLURIBUS UNUM on 2007 dated Presidential Dollars.

2007 P E PLURIBUS UNUM · IN GOD WE TRUST ·

2008 P · E PLURIBUS UNUM · IN GOD WE TRUST ·