2011-S James A. Garfield Dollar Value: Current Price Guide

The 2011-S James A. Garfield Dollar is worth anywhere from $4 in circulated proof condition to over $50 in top-tier deep cameo grades. If you have found one of these shiny golden-colored coins in your change or a collection, it is important to know exactly which version you hold.

Condition/Grade	Estimated Value (USD)
Proof (PR65)	$4.00 – $6.00
Deep Cameo (PR69)	$12.00 – $18.00
Perfect Proof (PR70)	$45.00 – $85.00+

History and Significance of the 2011-S Garfield Dollar

The James A. Garfield Presidential $1 Coin was released in 2011 as part of the United States Mint’s Presidential $1 Coin Program. This initiative aimed to honor every deceased U.S. President in the order they served. James A. Garfield, the 20th President, had a tragically short term, serving only 200 days before succumbing to wounds from an assassination attempt. While many of these golden dollars were released for circulation, the “S” mint mark indicates a special pedigree.

If you are trying to identify a mystery coin you just found, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between the different mint marks and finishes found on 2011 modern dollars. The 2011-S version was struck specifically at the San Francisco Mint. Unlike the P (Philadelphia) or D (Denver) versions meant for spending, these San Francisco coins were minted as “Proofs.”

Proof coins are struck using special polished dies and planchets, resulting in a mirror-like background and frosted details. Because they were never intended for circulation, finding one in your pocket change usually means someone broke open a collector set. When you use the CoinKnow app to scan your collection, you can quickly see if your coin has the characteristic “S” mint mark located on the edge of the coin, which significantly impacts its market desirability.

How to Identify a 2011-S Presidential Proof Coin

Identifying a 2011-S Garfield dollar requires looking at the “Third Side” of the coin—the edge. Unlike quarters or dimes, Presidential Dollars have edge-incused lettering. This is where you will find the year of minting, the motto “E Pluribus Unum,” and the all-important mint mark. For the 2011-S, you will see a small capital “S” signifying its origin at the San Francisco Mint.

The visual appearance of a 2011-S is also a dead giveaway. These coins feature a “Deep Cameo” finish. This means the portrait of James Garfield on the obverse and the Statue of Liberty on the reverse are thick and frosted white, while the flat fields of the coin are deep and reflective like a black mirror. If your coin looks exceptionally shiny and “fancy” compared to a normal dollar, it is likely a proof.

Collectors often look for high-grade specimens that have been preserved in their original plastic lenses from the US Mint. Even slight fingerprints or scratches on the delicate surface of a proof coin can lower its value. To get a better sense of how these compare to other modern issues, you can check the 2011 dollar coin worth and variations to see how proof Garfield dollars stack up against the Native American series from the same year.

Grading and Value Factors for 2011-S James Garfield Dollars

In the world of coin collecting, the “Grade” is everything. For proof coins like the 2011-S San Francisco minted dollar, the grading scale ranges from PR60 to PR70. Most coins found in original government packaging will grade at least a PR67 or PR68. However, a “Perfect 70” is the holy grail for modern collectors. A coin with no visible flaws even under 5x magnification can command a significant premium.

Professional Grade	Estimated Market Price
PR 67 Deep Cameo	$7.50
PR 68 Deep Cameo	$10.00
PR 69 Deep Cameo	$15.00
PR 70 Deep Cameo	$55.00

When evaluating your coin, check for “Milk Spots” or haziness on the surface. These are common chemical reactions on modern coins that can distract from the beauty and lower the price. If you’re unsure if your coin is worth sending to a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC, the CoinKnow tool can provide high-resolution comparisons to help you decide. Many collectors find that the current market value for 2011 dollar coins fluctuates based on supply, but proof versions generally hold their value better than their “P” or “D” counterparts.

Rare Errors to Look For in the 2011-S Series

While the San Francisco Mint is known for its high quality control, errors can still occur. For the Presidential Dollar series, collectors primarily look for edge lettering errors. These include “Missing Edge Lettering,” where the rim of the coin is smooth, or “Double Edge Lettering,” where the coin passed through the lettering machine twice.

However, it is extremely rare to find these errors on “S” proof coins because they are handled much more carefully than circulation-strike coins. If you do find a 2011-S James Garfield dollar with a smooth edge, you might be looking at a multi-thousand dollar rarity. Always verify these finds with a professional, as some people try to sand down the edges to fake an error.

Another thing to watch for is “Tarnish” or “Toning.” While not an error, some collectors pay extra for coins that have developed beautiful rainbow colors over time due to environmental exposure. Use CoinKnow to browse community galleries and see what “Natural Toning” looks like versus artificial damage.

Collecting the Entire 2011 Presidential Set

The James A. Garfield dollar wasn’t the only one released in 2011. The U.S. Mint also honored Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Rutherford B. Hayes that same year. For a serious collector, owning the 2011-S Garfield dollar is just one piece of a four-coin proof set.

2011 Proof Presidential Dollars	Mintage (Approx)
Andrew Johnson (17th)	1,972,863
Ulysses S. Grant (18th)	1,972,863
Rutherford B. Hayes (19th)	1,972,863
James A. Garfield (20th)	1,972,863

Because these coins are relatively modern, they are very accessible to new collectors. You can often buy the entire 2011 Proof Set (which includes these four dollars plus other denominations) for around $25 to $40. Buying the coins individually, particularly in high-grade slabs, is the preferred method for those looking to build a “Registry Set” that competes for the highest quality ranking.

Where to Sell Your 2011-S Garfield Dollar

If you’ve determined that your coin is a high-grade 2011-S Garfield Dollar and you want to cash in, you have several options. For a quick sale, local coin shops are convenient, though they will typically offer you “wholesale” prices so they can make a profit upon resale.

For the highest return, online marketplaces like eBay or GreatCollections are your best bet. When listing your coin, ensure you use high-quality photos that highlight the “S” mint mark and the mirror-like finish. Mentioning the specific grade if it has been certified by PCGS or NGC will attract more serious buyers. If the coin is uncertified (raw), expect to get between $3 and $6 for it.

FAQ

Q: Is the 2011-S Garfield Dollar made of real gold?

A: No, despite their “golden” appearance, these coins contain no gold. They are made of a manganese-brass alloy over a copper core. The specific composition is 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel.

Q: Where is the mint mark on the 2011-S James Garfield coin?

A: The mint mark is not on the front or back of the coin. It is located on the edge (the “third side”). You will need to look at the rim of the coin to find the “S” for San Francisco, along with the year and the motto.

Q: Can I spend a 2011-S Garfield Dollar at a store?

A: Yes, it is legal tender and worth exactly one dollar at any business. However, since collectors will pay $4 or more for even a worn proof, it is better to sell it to a collector or keep it than to spend it at its face value.

Q: Why is my Garfield dollar silver-colored?

A: If you have a Garfield dollar that appears silver, it might be an “Experimental Planchet” error or, more likely, a coin that has been plated with platinum or zinc by a private company after it left the mint. Use CoinKnow to check for known 2011 errors, but note that third-party plated coins usually have no extra collector value.