Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
The 2007 Washington Dollar is worth anywhere from its $1 face value in circulated condition to over $1,500 for rare error specimens. While millions of these golden-colored coins are in pockets today, certain minting mistakes and high-grade preservation can make them surprisingly valuable to collectors.
| Condition / Variety | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $1.00 |
| Uncirculated (Mint State) | $2.00 – $5.00 |
| Proof (S Mint) | $4.00 – $10.00 |
| “Godless” Plain Edge Error | $50.00 – $150.00 |
| High Grade (MS67+) | $500.00+ |
History and Background of the 2007 George Washington Dollar
The George Washington Presidential Dollar was the inaugural release of the Presidential $1 Coin Program, which began in 2007. This program was designed to honor each U.S. President by releasing four coins annually in the order they served. Because George Washington was our first president, his coin was the first to hit the streets.
If you have found one of these coins in your change, you might be using a top coin identifier app to see if you have a treasure. These coins were minted in massive quantities—over 340 million units combined from the Philadelphia and Denver mints—which is why most examples you see today are only worth their face value of one dollar.
However, the 2007 release was unique because it reintroduced “edge lettering” to American coinage for the first time in many decades. On the rim of the coin, you will find the date, the mint mark, and the mottos “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust.” This new minting process led to several famous errors that collectors now pay a premium to own. To quickly check the market price of your specific find, the CoinKnow app offers real-time data to help you distinguish a common spender from a rare collectible.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
How to Identify 2007 Washington Dollar Mint Marks
Knowing where your coin was made is the first step in determining its rarity. The 2007 Washington Dollar does not have a mint mark on the front (obverse) or the back (reverse). Instead, you must look at the edge of the coin.
The Philadelphia Mint used a “P” mint mark, while the Denver Mint used a “D” mint mark. There is also the San Francisco Mint, which produced “S” mint mark coins specifically for collectors. These “Proof” coins are typically found in protective plastic cases and feature a mirror-like finish.
| Mint Mark | Mintage Quantity | Rarity Level |
|---|---|---|
| 2007-P (Philadelphia) | 176,680,000 | Common |
| 2007-D (Denver) | 163,680,000 | Common |
| 2007-S (Proof) | 3,965,989 | Uncommon |
If the edge lettering is missing entirely, you have found a major error. If you are ever unsure, using an app like CoinKnow can help you verify the mint mark and condition instantly.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
The Famous Missing Edge Lettering “Godless” Error
The most sought-after variety for the casual hunter is the “Missing Edge Lettering” error. During the first year of production, thousands of coins skipped the second step of the minting process where the edge inscriptions were applied. Because the motto “In God We Trust” was move to the edge for this series, these coins were nicknamed “Godless Dollars.”
At the height of the craze, these error coins sold for hundreds of dollars. Today, the market has stabilized, but a 2007 Washington Dollar with a smooth edge is still a significant find. For more specialized details on this specific variety, you can read more about the 2007 Presidential Dollar Value and Rare Variations to see recent auction results.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
These errors occur on both Philadelphia and Denver strikes. If you happen to find one in a “Mint State” (meaning it looks brand new with no scratches), the price can jump from $50 to over $200. Always handle these coins by the edges to avoid leaving fingerprints, as oils from your skin can degrade the “golden” finish and lower the value.
Grading and Condition: Why Most Are Only $1
For a 2007 Washington Dollar to be worth more than a buck, it generally needs to be in nearly perfect condition. Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use a 70-point scale. A coin sitting in your kitchen drawer is likely “Circulated,” meaning it has scratches from bouncing against other coins. These are only worth face value.
Coins that were put away immediately in rolls or mint sets are considered “Uncirculated” or “Mint State” (MS). An MS65 Washington Dollar is worth a few dollars, but as you climb toward MS67 or MS68, the rarity increases exponentially. Because these coins were made of a copper-zinc-manganese-nickel composition, they tarnish and spot very easily.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Finding a specimen that is free of “milk spots” or fingerprint stains is actually quite difficult. This is why high-grade examples command such high prices at auction. If you think your coin looks flawless, CoinKnow is an excellent tool to compare your coin’s luster against high-resolution images of gallery-grade pieces.
| Grade | Description | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|---|
| MS63 | Typical Uncirculated; some marks | $2.00 |
| MS66 | Strong Luster; few tiny marks | $15.00 |
| MS67 | Nearly Flawless eye appeal | $50 – $100 |
| MS68 | Extremely Rare Grade | $600+ |
Position A vs. Position B: Does It Matter?
If you examine the edge lettering on a 2007 Washington Dollar, you might notice that on some coins, the writing is “upright” when Washington’s face is up, while on others, it is “upside down.” These are known as Position A and Position B.
Position A means the edge lettering is upside down when the portrait (obverse) is face up. Position B means the edge lettering is right-side up when the portrait is face up. While some new collectors think this is an error, it is actually just a result of how the coins were fed into the edge-lettering machine.
Statistically, about 50% of coins are Position A and 50% are Position B. Therefore, neither version is more valuable than the other. However, serious collectors who are building “Registry Sets” often try to collect one of each, so it is a fun detail to notice when you are inspecting your change.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Common Errors Beyond the Missing Edge
In addition to the famous “Godless” error, the 2007 Washington Dollar has several other minor errors that can add value. One common issue is “Double Edge Lettering.” This happens when a coin passes through the lettering machine twice, creating a blurred or overlapping effect on the words “In God We Trust.”
There are also “Satin Finish” varieties. These were not intended for circulation and were only included in official U.S. Mint Uncirculated Coin Sets. These have a smooth, matte-like appearance compared to the shiny surface of a standard business strike.
Finally, keep an eye out for “Die Cracks.” These look like small raised lines of metal on the surface of the coin, caused by the minting stamp breaking down over time. While not worth a fortune, they are unique pieces of history that collectors enjoy owning. Using a magnifying glass or a high-quality camera phone to zoom in on these details is highly recommended.
FAQ
Q: Why is my 2007 Washington Dollar gold? Is it made of real gold?
A: No, the coin does not contain any real gold. Its golden color comes from a manganese-brass alloy (77% copper, 12% zinc, 7% manganese, and 4% nickel). The color tends to darken or tarnish quickly when handled, turning a brownish-gold over time.
Q: Can I spend a 2007 Washington Dollar at a store?
A: Yes! These coins are legal tender and are worth exactly one dollar at any business. However, because many people don’t see them often, some younger cashiers might be confused and think they are car wash tokens or foreign currency.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Q: What is the most ever paid for a 2007 Washington Dollar?
A: The record prices are usually held by rare error coins or extremely high-grade specimens. A 2007-P Washington Dollar graded MS68 by PCGS has sold for over $1,500 in the past. Missing edge lettering errors in high grades can also fetch several hundred dollars.
Q: How can I tell if my coin is a “Godless” dollar?
A: Hold the coin between your fingers and look at the thin outer rim (the edge). If the edge is perfectly smooth like a nickel and has no words or dates stamped into it, you have the “missing edge lettering” error.
Q: Should I clean my 2007 Washington Dollar to make it worth more?
A: Never clean your coins! Scrubbing a coin with polish or soap creates tiny scratches that professionals can see under a microscope. Cleaning a coin will almost always reduce its numismatic value, even if it looks “shinier” to the naked eye.