Presidential Dollars - ModernCoinMart

Dollars/Presidential Dollars

After cancelling the dollar coin at the end of 1935, the U.S. Mint returned it to production in 1971 with the Eisenhower (Ike) Dollar. A very large coin, it lasted only through 1978. In 1979, it was replaced by the Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Dollar which was only slightly larger than a quarter. With people constantly confusing the SBA dollar and quarter, the coin was cancelled in 1981, though it was minted again in 1999 after the Mint had depleted its supply of dollar coins.

In 2000, the Mint released the Sacagawea "Golden" Dollar, which has been made each year since its release. The coin has a unique color and smooth edge to keep it from being confused with the similarly-sized quarter.

Specifications of the Modern Dollars

Eisenhower "Ike" Dollar

Obverse Design: Bust of President Dwight D. Eisenhower (designed by Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro)

Reverse Design: Eagle clutching olive branch over Moon (designed by Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro)

Weight: 0.800 oz. (22.68g)

Diameter: 1.5 in. (38.1mm)

Edge: Reeded

Composition 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel (Sandwich of 75% nickel, 25% copper bonded to a pure copper core)

Silver-Clad Composition for Select Dates: 0.867 oz. (24.59g) made of 40% silver, 60% copper [outer layer 80% silver, core 20.1% silver]. 0.347 oz. pure silver (9.841g, 0.3164 oz. Troy)

Susan B. Anthony "SBA" Dollar

Obverse Design: Bust of Susan B. Anthony (designed by Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro)

Reverse Design: Eagle clutching olive branch over Moon (designed by Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro)

Weight: 0.286 oz. (8.1g)

Diameter: 1.043 in. (26.5mm)

Thickness: 0.0787 in. (2.0mm)

Edge Reeds: 133

Composition: 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel (Sandwich of 75% nickel, 25% copper bonded to a pure copper core)

Sacagawea "Golden" Dollar

Obverse Design: Sacagawea with child (designed by Glenna Goodacre)

Reverse Design: Bald Eagle in Flight (designed by Charles D. Rogers)

Weight: 0.286 oz. (8.1g)

Diameter: 1.043 in. (26.5mm)

Thickness: 0.0787 in. (2.0mm)

Edge: Plain (no reeds)

Composition: 88.5% Copper, 6% Zinc, 3.5% Manganese, 2% Nickel

Following the success of the 50 State Quarter program, the U.S. Mint's next multi-year multi-design series is the Presidential Dollar series. Honoring the presidents of the United States, each dollar will be struck on a golden planchet with a bust of the president being honored on the obverse. The Presidential Dollars will be the first U.S. coin since the early 1900s to feature lettering on the edge.

Four dollars will be produced each year, featuring presidents in the order in which they served. Accompanying each president will be a $10 gold piece featuring his wife, the First Lady. Should the president have not been married while in office, the U.S. Mint will produce a $10 coin featuring a rendition of Lady Liberty as she appeared on a coin during the president's time in office.