The 2011-S U.S. Grant Dollar is worth anywhere from $4 in standard proof condition to over $50 for high-grade Deep Cameo specimens. While these coins were not released into general circulation, many people find them in inherited collections or “proof sets” and wonder if they have struck gold with the 18th President of the United States.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value
PR 65 (Standard Proof)	$4.00 – $6.00
PR 69 (Near Perfect)	$12.00 – $18.00
PR 70 (Perfect Grade)	$35.00 – $65.00

Understanding the 2011-S Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Dollar

If you’ve recently discovered a shiny, gold-colored coin featuring the face of Ulysses S. Grant, you are looking at part of the United States Mint’s Presidential $1 Coin Program. Launched in 2007, this series aimed to honor every deceased U.S. President in the order they served. By the time the Grant dollar was released in 2011, the public’s interest in using dollar coins for daily transactions had waned significantly. Because of this, the government stopped producing them for circulation late in 2011, making the “S” mint mark versions particularly interesting to collectors.

To determine exactly what you have, using a top coin identifier app can save you hours of research. The CoinKnow app, for instance, allows you to snap a photo of the coin’s face and instantly identifies the mint year and mark. The “S” on your Grant dollar indicates it was struck at the San Francisco Mint. Unlike the “P” (Philadelphia) or “D” (Denver) versions, the “S” coins were specifically minted as “Proof” coins. These were intended for collectors and were sold in special protective sets rather than being dropped into cash registers.

The 2011-S U.S. Grant Dollar features a stoic portrait of the Civil War general and 18th President on the obverse. On the reverse, you will find a striking rendition of the Statue of Liberty. An interesting feature of these modern dollars is the “edge-incused” lettering. If you look at the rim of the coin, you will see the year, the mint mark, and the motto “E Pluribus Unum.” This unique design choice often confuses beginners who think the coin is “blank” on the edges or missing information.

How the San Francisco Mint Influence the Price

The “S” mint mark is a major factor in the 2011-S U.S. Grant Dollar value. While billions of Washington and Lincoln dollars were minted, the Grant dollar saw a lower production run. Specifically, the San Francisco Mint produced approximately 1.97 million proof versions of the Grant dollar. While nearly 2 million might sound like a lot, it is a tiny fraction compared to the hundreds of millions of coins or more produced for general circulation in previous years.

Because these coins were sold in plastic lenses within United States Mint Proof Sets, they are usually found in excellent condition. A coin that has been taken out of its case and handled by greasy fingers will lose its “Proof” luster and drop in value. Collectors are looking for “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) finishes, where the portrait looks frosted and white, while the background is mirror-like and deep black. If your coin looks like a mirror, it is likely a proof.

When checking the current market value for 2011 dollar coins, you will notice that the “S” mint mark consistently carries a premium over the “P” and “D” business strikes. For an everyday person, this means that even a “common” 2011-S Grant dollar is worth more than its $1 face value, typically retailing for $4 to $8 in hobby shops. However, if you have a “perfect” version (graded PR 70), the price can jump significantly.

Mint Mark	Production Type	Mintage (Approx)	Average Value
2011-P	Circulation/Business	37.9 Million	$1.00 – $2.25
2011-D	Circulation/Business	38.1 Million	$1.00 – $2.25
2011-S	Proof Only	1.97 Million	$4.50 – $55.00

Major Factors Determining 2011-S Grant Dollar Value

The most important factor in determining the 2011-S U.S. Grant Dollar value is the “Grade.” Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use a 70-point scale. For proof coins, the scale goes from PR 1 to PR 70. Most 2011-S coins you find will be PR 67 or PR 68. A PR 69 is very common and worth about $15. However, there is a massive “price cliff” when you hit PR 70. A perfect PR 70 Deep Cameo Grant Dollar can sell for $50 to $100 depending on the current demand.

Another factor is the set it came from. The 2011-S Grant dollar was included in both the standard 14-coin Proof Set and the Silver Proof Set (though the dollar coin itself is always a manganese-brass composition, never silver). If you have the original box and certificate of authenticity from the U.S. Mint, the coin is much easier to sell to a collector. If the coin has been removed and is floating around in a pocket, it may have scratches (hairlines) that drastically reduce its value.

To get a better idea of what your specific coin might be worth, you can check the 2011 presidential dollar coin price trends which often mirror the values of the Grant series. While Native American and Presidential dollars are different series, they share the same metal composition and were often sold in the same annual sets. If you are unsure of the grade, the CoinKnow app can help you compare your coin against high-resolution images of known grades to see where yours fits.

Common Errors to Look For

While the 2011-S U.S. Grant Dollar is generally well-made, collectors are always on the hunt for mint errors. Errors occur when something goes wrong during the striking process. For the Presidential series, the most famous error is “Missing Edge Lettering.” This happens when the coin skips the second machine that rolls the “E Pluribus Unum” and the date onto the edge. However, this error is extremely rare for “S” mint proof coins because they are subjected to much stricter quality control than “P” or “D” coins.

Double die errors are another possibility. This is where the image on the coin appears doubled, usually visible in the lettering or the stars on the Statue of Liberty. If you think you see doubling, you should look at it under a 10x magnifying glass. Most of the time, what people see is “mechanical doubling,” which is common and doesn’t add value. True “doubled die” coins are rare and can double or triple the 2011-S U.S. Grant Dollar value instantly.

Using the CoinKnow app’s database can help you identify if a weird mark on your coin is a recognized error or just damage. For example, some 2011 coins have been found with “clashed dies,” where the design of the reverse shows slightly on the obverse. While rare for the Grant dollar, finding such an error could turn a $5 coin into a $50 coin for the right specialist buyer.

Error Type	Likelihood for “S” Mint	Estimated Value Bonus
Missing Edge Lettering	Extreme Rare	+$100.00+
Doubled Die Obverse	Very Low	+$20.00 – $50.00
Planchet Flaws	Low	+$5.00 – $15.00

Is the 2011-S Grant Dollar Worth Grading?

A common question for everyday Americans is: “Should I spend the money to have my coin professionally graded?” The answer for the 2011-S U.S. Grant Dollar is usually “No,” unless the coin is absolutely flawless. Professional grading by PCGS or NGC costs about $25 to $50 per coin when you include shipping and membership fees. Since a PR 69 Grant dollar is only worth about $15, you would actually lose money by grading it.

However, if you believe your coin is a perfect PR 70, it might be worth it. A PR 70 coin is essentially a coin that has no visible flaws even under 5x magnification. It must have a full, sharp strike and no “milk spots” (cloudy white spots that sometimes form on modern U.S. coins). If you have a roll of these or a full set that has been kept in a climate-controlled safe, it’s worth inspecting them closely.

For most people, the best way to “sell” a 2011-S Grant dollar is to keep it in its original Mint packaging. Collectors of Presidential dollars often prefer the original government packaging (OGP) over a third-party slab unless they are building a “Registry Set” of perfect coins. If you found the coin in a coin jar or loose change, it is almost certainly a “circulated proof,” meaning it was spent by someone who didn’t know it was a collector’s item. In that case, it’s worth about $1.50 to $2.

Where to Sell Your 2011-S Presidential Dollar

If you’ve determined that your 2011-S U.S. Grant Dollar value is high enough to sell, you have several options. For a quick sale, a local coin shop is the easiest route. Keep in mind that a coin dealer needs to make a profit, so if the coin’s retail value is $5, they may only offer you $2 or $3. This is fair considering they have to hold the inventory and find a buyer.

Online marketplaces like eBay are the best places to get the full market price. Look at “Sold Listings” rather than “Active Listings” to see what people are actually paying. You might see people listing Grant dollars for $1,000, but those are usually “dreamers” who don’t understand the market. The actual sold prices for 2011-S proof dollars stay remarkably consistent between $4 and $12 for ungraded examples.

Finally, you can use online forums or Facebook groups dedicated to coin collecting. These communities are often very helpful to beginners. You can post a clear photo and ask for an opinion on whether the coin is worth sending in for grading. Be sure to use a high-quality camera and good lighting; otherwise, it’s impossible for experts to see the tiny details that separate a $5 coin from a $50 coin.

FAQ

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

A: No. Despite its golden color, the coin contains zero gold. It is made of a core of pure copper with an outer layer consisting of 77% copper, 12% zinc, 7% manganese, and 4% nickel. This “manganese-brass” alloy gives it the distinct yellow-gold hue.

Q: Why is the date on the edge of the coin?

A: The U.S. Mint moved the date, mint mark, and mottos to the edge of the Presidential and Native American dollars to allow for larger, more detailed portraits on the front and back of the coin. This started in 2007 and continued throughout the series.

Q: I found a 2011 Grant dollar without an “S.” Is it valuable?

A: If it has a “P” or “D” mint mark on the edge, it is a business strike. These were minted in larger quantities (around 38 million each). In used condition, they are generally worth only their face value of $1. If they are in perfect, uncirculated condition, they might be worth $2 to $3.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 2011-S Grant Dollar?

A: Auction records for “Perfect” PR 70 Deep Cameo specimens can occasionally reach between $80 and $120 during peak demand. However, the majority of high-grade examples sell in the $40 range.

Q: How can I tell if my coin is a “Proof”?

A: Proof coins from the San Francisco Mint (S) have a very shiny, mirror-like surface. The background (field) should be so reflective that you can see your face in it, while the portrait of Grant should have a dull, frosted appearance. This contrast is the hallmark of a proof coin.