George Washington Dollar Coin Varieties You Should Know

For most people, the dollar coin isn’t something they see in their change very often. Yet for collectors, the George Washington dollar coin is one of the most talked-about modern U.S. issues. This dollar coin was firstly released in 2007 as part of the Presidential  Coin Program and made headlines for two reasons: because of its issue and because of the unusual number of varieties and striking errors that quickly appeared.

At face value, it’s just a brass-colored dollar. But its story, its place in U.S. coinage, and its varieties after production make this one dollar coin an interesting piece to explore. So, right now we offer you to explain the background, the unique features, and the varieties you should know if you’re curious about its place in the collecting world.

Appearance of the George Washington Dollar Coin

As you know, the Presidential $1 Coin Program launched in 2007, following the earlier success of the State Quarters program. The idea was simple but powerful: release a series of $1 coins featuring portraits of U.S. presidents, issued in the order they served.

Washington, naturally, was the first.

• Composition: The coin is not gold, though it has a golden tone. It’s made of a manganese-brass alloy — 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel.

• Size: Diameter 26.5 mm, weight 8.1 grams, plain edge but with lettering.

• Design:

• Obverse (front): A portrait of George Washington by sculptor Joseph Menna.

• Reverse (back): Statue of Liberty design by Don Everhart, symbolizing freedom.

• Edge: The most revolutionary part — inscriptions moved to the edge: IN GOD WE TRUST, E PLURIBUS UNUM, the year, and mint mark.

This was the first circulating U.S. coin in decades to experiment with edge lettering. The innovation gave the coins both a fresh look and striking designs on the obverse and reverse. But at the same time, a new technology brought some problems.

Edge Lettering Innovation

Edge lettering wasn’t new in world coinage, but for modern U.S. circulating coins it was unusual. The Mint hoped it would add both style and security. Instead, it created a perfect storm for mistakes.

During production, blank coins (planchets) had to pass through a machine that impressed the lettering onto the rim. If that step was skipped, or if the coin went through twice, the result was a variety.

The lettering included:

• IN GOD WE TRUST

• E PLURIBUS UNUM

• Date of issue

• Mint mark (P, D, or S depending on where it was struck)

For Washington dollars, the novelty of the lettering (and its errors) captured attention not only among collectors but also in mainstream media, so the coin quickly became a cultural talking point, far more than later coins in the series.

Position A vs. Position B Varieties

One of the most common and officially recognized varieties is based on how the edge lettering aligns with the obverse:

• Position A: When the coin is placed with Washington’s portrait upright, the edge lettering reads upside down.

• Position B: When the coin is upright, the edge lettering also reads upright.

Both are legitimate mint products, created simply because the lettering could be applied in either orientation. But because collectors love anything that can be categorized, both positions are sought after.

While neither is dramatically rarer than the other, collectors often want one of each. Some even put together Presidential dollar sets showing both orientations for every issue. Washington dollars were the first to introduce this feature, and so they remain especially collectible in this respect.

Outstanding Variations of the Coin

The “Godless Dollar” Error

The most famous error tied to the George Washington dollar is the so-called “Godless Dollar”.

• What happened? Coins skipped the edge-lettering step entirely, leaving them without the inscriptions. That meant no IN GOD WE TRUST, no E PLURIBUS UNUM, and no year or mint mark.

• Why the name? The absence of IN GOD WE TRUST caused a media frenzy. News outlets ran with the story, calling it the “Godless Dollar,” and demand spiked overnight.

• Market impact: At the height of the hype in 2007, these coins sold for $600–$1,000 each. Since then, values have calmed, but certified examples still sell in the $50–$250 range, depending on condition.

For modern U.S. coins, it’s rare to see this level of mainstream attention. The Godless Dollar became more than a variety — it was a cultural moment.

Doubled Edge Lettering

Another variety that drew collectors’ eyes was doubled edge lettering.

This occurred when a coin accidentally went through the lettering machine twice. The result was two overlapping or slightly offset inscriptions around the rim. In some cases, the letters were so close they appeared shadowed; in others, the second strike was far enough apart to be obvious.

Doubled lettering is scarcer than the Godless Dollar, but it has remained desirable. Prices vary widely depending on the clarity of the doubling: weak examples may bring $25-30+, while dramatic ones can exceed $300.

For collectors, doubled lettering underscores just how new the technology was at the Mint in 2007 — and how many opportunities there were for mistakes.

Weak or Partial Edge Lettering

Sometimes the lettering machine did its job only halfway.

• Weak lettering: The words appear faint, as though barely scratched onto the coin.

• Partial lettering: Only part of the rim received an impression, leaving other sections blank.

While less dramatic than missing or doubled inscriptions, these coins represent another documented production flaw. Values are more modest (often $5–$30) but for collectors who like building “error sets”, weak or partial lettering adds a nice middle tier between the extremes.

Proof and Satin Finish Issues

Not every Washington dollar was made for circulation. The Mint also struck:

• Proof coins: Produced at the San Francisco Mint with polished dies and mirror-like fields, meant for collectors.

• Satin Finish coins: Released in Mint Sets from 2005–2010, featuring a softer, matte-like luster.

These coins didn’t suffer from the same error problems, but they stand out for their quality. Proof versions often sell for a small premium, while Satin Finish examples can be slightly scarcer, particularly in high grades.

For variety collectors, including Proof and Satin strikes rounds out the picture of how the George Washington dollar was produced across different Mint products.

Market Value: Common vs. Rare Varieties

So what are these coins worth? Let’s compare:

This table shows the range: most coins are common and worth only a small premium, but dramatic errors reach far higher prices.

Comparisons With Later Presidential Dollars

The Presidential series continued until 2016, covering presidents up to Ronald Reagan. Errors appeared in later issues too, but none sparked as much excitement as Washington’s.

• John Adams (2007): Some “Godless” errors also appeared, but the media attention was smaller.

• Thomas Jefferson and James Madison: Similar doubled or weak lettering varieties exist, but demand is lower.

• Later years (2009–2016): Production slowed, and errors became less frequent.

Collectors often consider the Washington dollar the most desirable of the entire program. It was the first, it had the novelty of edge lettering, and it triggered national headlines. That makes it the centerpiece of the series in a way later coins couldn’t match.

Why Varieties Keep Collectors Interested

The George Washington dollar coin isn’t rare by itself. Hundreds of millions were struck. But the production methods of 2007 created plenty of varieties and mistakes that transformed an otherwise common coin into something more collectible.

From Position A and B orientation quirks to the famous Godless Dollar and doubled lettering, these varieties tell a story not just about coins but about how the U.S. Mint adapted new technology — sometimes with flawed results.

For collectors, the Washington dollar is still a reminder that even modern coins can hold some nuances and surprises. Some are worth just face value, while others still trade hands for hundreds. By the way, apps like Coin ID Scanner make it easier than ever to check what you’ve got — a quick photo can reveal what you’re holding, as well as coin details (like background, year, composition and so on) in a click. So, install the app and start your unique way for hunting interesting presidential dollars.