The 2013-D William McKinley Dollar is worth anywhere from $1.05 in circulated condition to over $45 for high-grade specimens. While most found in pocket change are only worth their face value, certain “Position A” or “Position B” edge lettering variations and high-state mint conditions can command a higher premium from dedicated collectors.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Face Value) | $1.00 – $1.25 |
| About Uncirculated (AU58) | $1.50 – $2.50 |
| Mint State (MS63) | $3.00 – $6.00 |
| Gem Uncirculated (MS65+) | $15.00 – $45.00+ |
Understanding the 2013-D William McKinley Presidential Dollar
The 2013-D William McKinley Dollar was released as part of the United States Mint’s Presidential $1 Coin Program. By the time 2013 arrived, the program had undergone a significant change: the coins were no longer being produced for general circulation. Because of high inventories of dollar coins in Federal Reserve vaults, the Treasury Department decided to stop mass-producing them for daily commerce in late 2011. This means if you found one in your change, it likely came from an uncirculated roll or set that someone broke open. To verify if your specific coin has qualities that collectors look for, you might use a top coin identifier app to check its luster and strike quality.
The “D” mint mark on this coin indicates it was struck at the Denver Mint. Unlike older coins where the mint mark is found on the front or back, the 2013 Presidential Dollars feature “edge-incused” lettering. This means the year, the mint mark, and the motto “E Pluribus Unum” are engraved along the thin edge of the coin. William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, is depicted on the obverse. Many people who find these coins today use the CoinKnow app to quickly identify the president and the specific minting year, as the edge lettering can sometimes be hard to read without magnification.
Because these were produced in lower quantities—only 3.36 million for the Denver Mint—they are technically scarcer than the early coins in the series like Washington or Adams. However, since they were mostly sold to collectors in bags and rolls, most surviving examples are in relatively good condition. If you are looking for specific 2013 presidential dollar price data, you will find that the value is heavily dependent on the “MS” (Mint State) grade assigned by professional services.
Grading and 2013 William McKinley Dollar Pricing
When determining the value of your 2013-D McKinley Dollar, the “Grade” is everything. Grading is the process of evaluating how much wear and tear a coin has suffered. Since these coins were not released into general circulation, a “circulated” McKinley dollar is actually quite rare in the wild; most are “Uncirculated.”
In the numismatic world, we use the Sheldon Scale, which ranges from 1 to 70. A coin graded MS60 is uncirculated but might have many bag marks or scratches from being tossed around in a mint bag. A coin graded MS67 or MS68 is “Gem” quality, showing nearly perfect details and an original mint luster. For those checking their collection, knowing the 2013 McKinley dollar value information can help you decide whether a coin is worth sending to a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC.
Most everyday Americans will find coins in the MS63 to MS65 range. At these levels, the coins are worth a small premium over face value. However, if you happen to find a specimen that is flawlessly preserved, the price jumps significantly because collectors who want to complete a “Registry Set” will pay a premium for the highest-known grade.
| MS Grade | 2013-D Value | 2013-P Value |
|---|---|---|
| MS63 | $3.50 | $3.50 |
| MS65 | $12.00 | $14.00 |
| MS66 | $22.00 | $25.00 |
| MS67 | $45.00+ | $50.00+ |
The Significance of Edge Lettering: Position A vs. Position B
A unique feature of the 2013-D William McKinley Dollar is the edge lettering. This was the Mint’s way of keeping the obverse and reverse designs clean and focused on the artwork. The date, mint mark, and “E Pluribus Unum” are applied to the edge after the coin is struck. This is done through a machine that rolls the coin, and because the coins are fed into this machine randomly, the lettering can appear in two different orientations.
“Position A” refers to coins where the edge lettering is “upside-down” when the President’s portrait is facing up. “Position B” refers to coins where the lettering is “right-side up” when the portrait is facing up. While neither position is particularly rare, some collectors try to find both for their sets. If you use the CoinKnow app, you can often find guides on how to properly hold your coin to determine its position.
Interestingly, error seekers always look for these coins because the edge lettering process occasionally fails. There have been instances in the Presidential series where the edge lettering is entirely missing (known as “Smooth Edge” dollars) or where it is doubled. While documented errors for the 2013 McKinley are rare, they would easily be worth $50 to $100 if authenticated.
Mintage Figures and Rarity
To understand why the 2013-D McKinley Dollar is slightly more valuable than a 2007 George Washington dollar, we have to look at the production numbers. In 2007, the mint struck over 176 million Washington dollars in Denver alone. By contrast, the 2013-D McKinley had a mintage of only 3,360,000.
This dramatic decrease in supply makes the 2013-D much harder to find in circulation. Most of these coins were sold directly to collectors in 25-coin rolls, 100-coin bags, or as part of annual Mint Sets. Because they were never intended to be spent at the grocery store, any 2013 McKinley you find that shows significant scratches and wear is actually quite unusual.
| Mint Location | Production Amount | Rarity Score |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (P) | 4,760,000 | Low-Medium |
| Denver (D) | 3,360,000 | Medium |
| San Francisco (S) – Proof | ~1,200,000 | High (Collector Only) |
How to Spot a Proof McKinley Dollar
Aside from the Denver (D) and Philadelphia (P) mints, the San Francisco Mint produced “Proof” versions of the 2013 McKinley dollar. Proof coins are made specifically for collectors using a specialized minting process. They are struck multiple times on polished blanks, resulting in a mirror-like background and frosted, detailed foregrounds (the portrait).
If you find a 2013-S McKinley Dollar, it is most likely a Proof coin that was removed from a Silver or Clad Proof Set. These are quite beautiful and usually worth $5 to $10 in standard Proof condition. However, if the coin has been handled and loses its “deep cameo” contrast, the value drops. Collectors often use the CoinKnow app to compare their coin’s appearance to a standard uncirculated coin to see if it qualifies as a Proof.
Proof coins will almost always have the “S” mint mark on the edge. Because they were never intended for circulation, finding one in your pocket change is like finding a small treasure. While it won’t pay for a Ferrari, it is a great addition to any beginner’s coin collection.
Is It Worth Getting Your McKinley Dollar Certified?
A common question for everyday Americans is whether they should spend the money to have their coin professionally graded by a service like PCGS. For a 2013-D William McKinley Dollar, the answer is usually “no” unless the coin is absolutely perfect. The cost of grading (often $20-$40 per coin plus shipping) usually exceeds the value of the coin itself.
However, if you believe you have a “Condition Census” coin—meaning one of the finest known examples (MS67 or higher)—grading becomes essential. Certified coins sell for much more on auction sites like eBay or through heritage auctions because the buyer has a guarantee of the coin’s authenticity and state of preservation.
Before you spend money on grading, take a close look at the president’s cheek and the fields (the flat areas) of the coin. If you see even tiny scratches from other coins hitting it in a bag, it likely won’t hit the high grades required to make grading profitable. Most collectors are happy to keep these in a simple cardboard “2×2” holder to prevent further damage.
| Decision Factor | Action Recommended |
|---|---|
| Visible scratches/wear | Keep as a “spender” or fun find ($1) |
| Lustrous, no scratches | Keep in a protective holder ($3-$10) |
| Flawless under magnification | Consider professional grading ($40+) |
FAQ
Q: Why is the date on the edge of the 2013-D McKinley Dollar?
A: The US Mint moved the date, mint mark, and motto to the edge of the Presidential Dollars to allow for larger, more detailed portraits on the front and a more majestic Statue of Liberty on the back.
Q: Can I spend a McKinley Dollar at a store?
A: Yes, these are legal tender and worth exactly one dollar. However, because they are relatively uncommon, many people prefer to keep them as collectibles or sell them to coin shops.
Q: What is the most expensive 2013 McKinley Dollar ever sold?
A: High-grade specimens (MS68) have been known to sell for over $100 in professional auctions, but these are exceptionally rare and usually found in original government-wrapped rolls.
Q: Is the 2013 McKinley Dollar gold?
A: No, though it has a golden color, it contains no actual gold. It is made of a core of pure copper with an outer layer of manganese brass (77% copper, 12% zinc, 7% manganese, and 4% nickel).
Q: How can I tell if my coin is from Denver?
A: Look closely at the edge of the coin. You will see the year “2013” followed by a small letter “D”. If you see a “P,” it was made in Philadelphia.