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The 2007-D George Washington Dollar is worth anywhere from $1.05 in circulated condition to over $500 for high-grade specimens or major errors. While most coins found in pocket change are only worth their face value, specific edge lettering mistakes and pristine “Mint State” grades can make this coin a valuable treasure.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated / Pocket Change | $1.00 – $1.05 |
| Uncirculated (MS63-MS65) | $2.00 – $12.00 |
| Near Perfect (MS67+) | $50 – $250+ |
| Missing Edge Lettering Error | $30 – $150 |
History of the 2007-D Presidential Dollar Series
The 2007-D George Washington Dollar marked the historic beginning of the Presidential $1 Coin Program. Launched by the United States Mint, this series was designed to honor every deceased U.S. President in the order they served. As the inaugural release, George Washington’s likeness was struck in massive quantities at both the Philadelphia and Denver (D) mints.
If you are unsure whether you have a Denver or Philadelphia strike, you can use a top coin identifier app to quickly scan the coin’s features. The “D” mint mark is uniquely located on the edge of the coin, a design move that hadn’t been seen on American currency in decades. This experiment brought a new aesthetic but also led to several production hiccups.
Because these coins were intended for circulation, many were produced with a golden manganese-brass finish. However, the public didn’t fully embrace them as a replacement for the dollar bill. Consequently, millions of these coins ended up sitting in bank vaults or being tossed into jars by everyday Americans who found them interesting but rarely used them for shopping.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Determining the 2007-D George Washington Dollar Value
When determining the value of your 2007-D George Washington Dollar, the most important factor is the surface quality and the presence of “Mint Luster.” Because these coins are made of a copper-zinc-manganese-nickel alloy, they tend to tarnish and develop unsightly brown spots very quickly once they enter circulation.
To get an instant estimate of what your collection might be worth, you can download the CoinKnow app, which allows you to photograph your coin and compare it against a database of recent auction sales. Most 2007-D dollars you find in daily life will be graded as “Circulated,” meaning they have scratches or fingerprints. In this state, they are generally worth exactly one dollar.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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However, if you happen to find a roll of these coins that has never been opened, you might have “Mint State” (MS) examples. Collectors pay a premium for coins that look like they just came off the press. An MS66 or MS67 grade can raise the price significantly because the golden surface remains vibrant and free of the typical contact marks found on bulk-handled coins.
| Grade | Price Range |
|---|---|
| MS63 (Typical Uncirculated) | $2.15 |
| MS65 (Gem Uncirculated) | $8.00 |
| MS67 (Superb Gem) | $65.00 |
| MS68 (Rare Perfection) | $400.00+ |
The “Godless” Dollar and Edge Lettering Errors
One of the most famous aspects of the 2007 series is the “Missing Edge Lettering” error. On standard coins, the date, the mint mark, and the mottos “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust” are inscribed on the side of the coin (the edge). In 2007, a batch of coins escaped the mint without going through the edge-lettering machine.
These became known as “Godless Dollars” because the “In God We Trust” motto was missing. While most of these errors were found in Philadelphia strikes, a 2007 Washington Dollar with missing edge inscriptions from the Denver mint remains a highly sought-after prize for error collectors.
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If you find a coin with a completely smooth edge, don’t spend it! These errors can sell for $50 to $150 depending on how well the coin has been preserved. Checking the edges of your dollar coins is the easiest way to find “hidden” money in your change. You can use CoinKnow to identify these specific error types and see what similar “Godless” coins have sold for on platforms like eBay.
Double Edge Lettering and Position Varieties
Beyond the missing lettering, there is another variety known as “Double Edge Lettering.” This occurs when a coin passes through the edge-incusing machine twice. This creates overlapping text that looks messy or blurry. While not as famous as the missing lettering error, it still commands a premium over the standard face value.
Collectors also pay attention to “Position A” versus “Position B.” This refers to which way the edge lettering faces when the President’s portrait is facing up. In Position A, the lettering is upside down; in Position B, it is right-side up. For the 2007-D Washington Dollar, neither position is particularly rare, but complete set collectors often want one of each.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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To the untrained eye, these differences are hard to spot. However, specialized tools and apps like CoinKnow can help you distinguish between a common variety and a rare minting mistake. Always inspect the rim of your coin with a magnifying glass to ensure you aren’t overlooking a double-strike error that could be worth $20 or more.
| Error Type | Average Market Value |
|---|---|
| Plain Edge (Missing Lettering) | $45 – $130 |
| Double Edge Lettering | $25 – $80 |
| Satin Finish (Special Mint Set) | $5 – $15 |
The Rarity of High-Grade 2007-D Specimens
Why are some 2007-D George Washington Dollars worth hundreds of dollars while others are only worth $1? The answer lies in the Sheldon Grading Scale, which goes from 1 to 70. A coin graded MS68 is exponentially rarer than an MS65. At the Denver mint in 2007, the machinery often left tiny “bag marks” on the coins during the high-speed minting process.
Finding a coin that avoided these imperfections is like finding a needle in a haystack. Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC charge fees to certify these coins. If you think you have a perfect specimen, it might be worth the investment. High-grade coins are typically sold at major auctions to serious investors who want the finest known examples of the Presidential series.
For the everyday collector, the goal is often to find a “Satin Finish” version. These were not released for circulation but were included in official U.S. Mint Sets. They have a soft, matte appearance and are generally held to a higher quality standard than the coins you find at the grocery store.
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Tips for Selling Your George Washington Dollar
If you’ve discovered a 2007-D Washington Dollar that you believe is valuable, your next step is to find a buyer. Local coin shops are a great place to start, though they usually offer “wholesale” prices so they can resell the coin for a profit. For common uncirculated coins, selling in bulk or on sites like eBay might yield better results.
Before selling, make sure you never clean your coins. Cleaning a coin with chemicals or even a soft cloth can create microscopic scratches that destroy its numismatic value. A “dirty” original coin is almost always worth more than a “shiny” cleaned coin in the eyes of a professional collector.
If you have an error coin, like the missing edge lettering variety, getting it “slabbed” (certified in a plastic holder) can help you fetch the highest price. Buyers are much more willing to pay $100 for a coin that a professional has verified as authentic. Keep your coins in a cool, dry place to prevent the manganese from turning a dark, unattractive brown over time.
FAQ
Q: Does the 2007-D Washington Dollar contain any gold?
A: No, despite its golden color, the coin contains zero gold. It is made of a core of pure copper with an outer layer of 77% copper, 12% zinc, 7% manganese, and 4% nickel. This “golden” look is purely aesthetic.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Q: Why is my 2007-D coin missing the date on the front?
A: This is part of the design! In 2007, the U.S. Mint moved the date, the mint mark, and the mottos to the edge of the coin. If you don’t see them on the front or back, look at the side rim of the coin. If it is also missing from the side, you have a valuable error.
Q: How many 2007-D George Washington Dollars were made?
A: The Denver Mint produced 163,520,000 George Washington dollars in 2007. Because over 160 million were struck, they are very common today, which is why most are only worth their face value of $1.
Q: Is a 2007-D dollar worth more than a 2007-P?
A: Generally, no. Both the Denver (D) and Philadelphia (P) mints produced similar quantities. However, specific high-grade coins or specific errors from one mint may be rarer than the other in the current collector market.