2007-S $1 George Washington, DCAM PR70DCAM 认证号48835088, PCGS号150231

Charles Morgan

The Rise and Stall of the Presidential Dollar

The Presidential $1 Coin series ran continuously from 2007 through 2016, later resuming in 2020 for a final issue honoring George H.W. Bush. Throughout most of the program, the U.S. Mint released four designs annually alongside the Sacagawea/Native American Dollar, which was mandated by law to constitute 20% of all dollar coin production.

Despite the legislative enthusiasm, proponents ignored a century of evidence: no modern dollar coin had ever gained traction while the $1 Federal Reserve Note remained in circulation. Predictably, the series failed to ignite public interest. By 2012, production for circulation ceased entirely, and the coins were thereafter minted in limited quantities solely for collectors. The program's educational goal—to teach Americans about leaders like Taft or Harding—was largely sidelined by the public's preference for paper currency.

2007 George Washington: The First Release

The series launched in 2007 with household names: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison. As unbelievable as it sounds, a Mint survey at the time revealed a stark lack of civic knowledge, noting that many Americans didn't know Jefferson was the third President.

George Washington, as the nation's first President under the Constitution, led the series. While Philadelphia and Denver produced circulation strikes, the San Francisco Mint struck the 2007-S Proof version (#150231) for several collector products:

• Presidential Dollar Proof Set: (Initial price: $14.95)
• Annual Silver and Clad Proof Sets: Housed the dollar with other circulating denominations.
• Historical Signature Set: Included an intaglio print and facsimile signature (produced with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing).

Collecting the 2007-S Washington Proof

Across all product formats, the Mint reported sales of 3,965,989 2007-S Washington Dollar Proofs. Today, these sets are highly affordable; standalone Presidential Proof sets often trade for under $10, and occasionally as low as face value. A second, certified coin market also exists, here coins largely fall into one of two grades: Proof 69 Deep Cameo (PR69DCAM) or Proof 70 Deep Cameo (PR70DCAM). In the PCGS Population Report, PR70DCAMs account for less than 10% of the total population.

Design Specifications

Obverse

Designed by Joseph Menna, the obverse features a three-quarters profile of Washington. The inscriptions include GEORGE WASHINGTON along the top and 1ST PRESIDENT 1789-1797 below.

Reverse

Don Everhart designed the common reverse used for the entire series. It depicts a dramatic, low-angle view of the Statue of Liberty. The denomination $1 is tucked under Liberty’s arm, and the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircles the rim.

The Edge

In a departure from traditional U.S. coinage, the date, mintmark, and mottos (IN GOD WE TRUST and E PLURIBUS UNUM) are moved to the edge.

• Position A: Edge lettering reads upright when the obverse is up.
• Position B: Edge lettering reads upright when the reverse is up. This is the uniform standard for all Proof Presidential Dollars.

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