2007-P George Washington Dollar Value: Is Your Coin Rare?
The 2007-P Washington Dollar is worth anywhere from $1.05 in circulated condition to over $1,500 for rare “Missing Edge Lettering” errors. While most of these golden-colored coins are only worth their face value, specific minting mistakes and high-grade specimens carry significant premiums for collectors.
| Condition | Average Market Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated / Pocket Change | $1.00 – $1.25 |
| Uncirculated (MS63-MS65) | $2.00 – $15.00 |
| High Grade (MS67+) | $50.00 – $450.00 |
| Missing Edge Lettering Error | $50.00 – $1,500.00+ |
History of the 2007-P George Washington Presidential Dollar
If you just found a shiny gold-colored coin with George Washington’s face on it, you aren’t alone. In 2007, the United States Mint launched the Presidential $1 Coin Program, designed to honor every deceased U.S. President in the order they served. The very first coin in this ambitious series was the George Washington dollar. Because it was the inaugural release, the Philadelphia Mint (indicated by the “P” mint mark) produced over 176 million of these coins to meet expected public demand.
If you are unsure whether your specific coin is a circulation strike or a special variety, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between common business strikes and rare errors. These coins were originally intended to circulate just like quarters or dimes. However, the American public never fully embraced the $1 coin for daily transactions, preferring the traditional greenback.
Consequently, millions of these coins ended up sitting in bank vaults. For everyday Americans, this means that most 2007-P Washington Dollars found in change are only worth their face value of one dollar. To find a version worth real money, you have to look for specific “Mint State” conditions or the legendary errors that occurred during the first year of production. You can use CoinKnow to quickly reference these specific variations by simply taking a photo of the coin’s edge.
The “Godless” Dollar: Missing Edge Lettering Error
The most exciting aspect of the 2007-P Washington Dollar value is the famous “Missing Edge Lettering” error. In a major departure from traditional US coin design, the date, mint mark, and the mottos “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust” were moved to the edge of the coin. This was done to allow for larger, more detailed portraits on the obverse and reverse. However, during the initial production run at the Philadelphia Mint, thousands of coins bypassed the edge-incusing machine altogether.
The result was a coin with a completely smooth edge. These coins quickly became known as “Godless Dollars” because the motto “In God We Trust” was missing from the edge. When these were first discovered, prices skyrocketed into the hundreds of dollars. Today, the market has stabilized, but they remain highly sought after by error collectors.
| Error Type | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Missing Edge Lettering (Raw/Circulated) | $30.00 – $70.00 |
| Missing Edge Lettering (MS65 Grade) | $150.00 – $250.00 |
| Missing Edge Lettering (MS67 Grade) | $500.00+ |
Determining the 2007 George Washington dollar coin value requires checking the edge very carefully. If the edge is smooth and lacks any writing, you have found a genuine numismatic treasure.
Grading and Condition: Why Some Are Worth More
For coins that do have the proper edge lettering, the value is determined almost entirely by the “Grade.” Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use a 70-point scale. A coin in “Mint State” (MS) has never been spent and retains its original luster. Because hundreds of millions were made, a 2007-P coin in MS63 or MS64 condition is only worth a few dollars.
However, once you reach MS67 or MS68, the price jumps significantly. This is because these “ultra-gem” coins are incredibly rare. During the high-speed minting process, coins often bump into each other, creating tiny nicks and scratches known as “bag marks.” Finding a Washington Dollar that escaped the mint without a single microscopic scratch is like finding a needle in a haystack.
If you have a coin that looks absolutely perfect—with no visible scratches even under a magnifying glass—it might be worth sending it in for professional grading. For those who aren’t ready to pay grading fees, CoinKnow offers a way to compare your coin’s condition against high-resolution images of graded specimens to see where yours might fall on the scale.
Position A vs. Position B: Does it Matter?
When collectors talk about the 2007-P Washington Dollar, they often mention “Position A” and “Position B.” This refers to the orientation of the edge lettering relative to the portrait of George Washington. Because the edge lettering was applied in a second step, the coins entered the machine randomly.
In “Position A,” the edge lettering is upside down when Washington’s portrait is facing up. In “Position B,” the lettering is right-side up. Neither position is rarer than the other; they occur in roughly a 50/50 split. However, serious collectors often try to acquire one of each to complete a “set.” Generally, this detail does not add a price premium for the average holder, but it is an interesting quirk of the 2007 production year.
Double Edge Lettering Errors
Another rare but valuable error to look for is “Double Edge Lettering.” This happened when a coin went through the edge-incusing machine twice. Sometimes the second pass resulted in the text being overlapping, or even worse, the text being punched in both directions (one right-side up, one upside down).
These errors are much rarer than the “Missing Edge” variety. A 2007-P Washington Dollar with clear double lettering can fetch between $100 and $300 depending on how clear the doubling is. If you suspect your coin has this error, use a jeweler’s loupe or a high-quality camera to zoom in on the edge. The CoinKnow app’s identification tool can also help flag unusual markings on the rim that might indicate a double strike.
| Mint Mark & Variety | MS65 Value | MS67 Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2007-P Washington (Normal) | $3.00 | $55.00 |
| 2007-D Washington (Normal) | $3.00 | $45.00 |
| 2007-P Satin Finish (from Mint Sets) | $10.00 | $25.00 |
Are Presidential Dollars Made of Gold?
A common misconception among “everyday Americans” is that these coins contain actual gold. Their bright, yellow-gold color is actually a result of their composition: a core of pure copper with an outer layer of manganese brass (77% copper, 12% zinc, 7% manganese, and 4% nickel).
While they are beautiful and look like treasure, they do not have any precious metal value. Their worth is strictly tied to their face value or their numismatic (collector) value. If you have a large jar of them, they are great for saving, but don’t expect to melt them down for a fortune! If you are ever in doubt about the metal content of a coin you’ve found, a quick scan with CoinKnow can provide the exact metallurgical breakdown and history of the coin.
How to Sell Your 2007-P Washington Dollar
If you believe you have a rare “Godless Dollar” or a high-grade specimen, the next step is selling it. For coins worth $20 to $50, digital marketplaces like eBay are usually the best bet. Make sure to take clear, high-resolution photos of the front, back, and—most importantly—the edge.
For coins that you believe are in MS67+ condition or rare errors worth hundreds of dollars, it is worth paying for professional authentication from PCGS or NGC. A certified coin always sells for more than a “raw” coin because the buyer has a guarantee of its authenticity and grade. Local coin shops are also an option, but keep in mind they need to make a profit, so they will likely offer you about 50-70% of the coin’s actual retail value.
FAQ
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 2007 George Washington dollar?
A: Unlike most U.S. coins where the mint mark is on the face, the 2007 Washington Dollar’s mint mark (P or D) is located on the edge of the coin. You have to look at the rim to see it.
Q: Why is my 2007-P Washington dollar missing the date?
A: The date is also located on the edge of the coin. If the edge is smooth and has no date, mint mark, or mottos, you have the “Missing Edge Lettering” error, which is worth significantly more than $1.
Q: Is the 2007-P Washington dollar rare?
A: Most are not rare. With over 176 million minted in Philadelphia alone, they are very common. Only those in exceptional condition or those with minting errors are considered rare by collectors.
Q: How can I tell if my coin is worth more than a dollar?
A: Check the edge first. If the lettering is missing or doubled, it’s a winner. Next, look at the surface. If it looks like a mirror and has no scratches, it might be a high-grade collector’s item. Using a mobile app like CoinKnow can help you identify these features instantly.
