The 2016-S Gerald Ford Presidential Dollar is worth anywhere from $4 in standard proof condition to over $65 in top-tier deep cameo grades. Whether you found one in a collection or a mint set, these golden-colored coins represent the final year of the original Presidential Dollar series issuing circulation-style designs.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Market Value
PR 65 (Proof)	$4.00 – $6.50
PR 69 (Near Perfect)	$15.00 – $22.00
PR 70 (Perfect Grade)	$55.00 – $85.00

Understanding the 2016-S Gerald Ford Dollar Coin History

The 2016-S Gerald Ford Dollar was released as part of the Presidential $1 Coin Program, which began in 2007. This specific coin honors the 38th President of the United States. By 2016, the program had moved away from general circulation strikes intended for daily spending. Instead, these coins were minted primarily for collectors and enthusiasts.

If you are trying to determine if you have a rare treasure or just a shiny memento, using a top coin identifier app can save you hours of research. The “S” mint mark indicates that this coin was produced at the San Francisco Mint. Unlike the “P” or “D” versions found in pocket change, the “S” version was typically sold in official United States Mint sets.

Because these coins were never intended to clink in cash registers, finding one in “circulated” or worn condition is actually quite rare. Most are still in their original plastic packaging or have been carefully placed in albums by collectors. If you find one loose, it likely came from a broken-up proof set. Using the CoinKnow app can help you distinguish between a standard strike and a high-value proof.

Features of the 2016 Gerald Ford Presidential Dollar

The design of the 2016-S Ford Dollar is striking, featuring a bold portrait of Gerald Ford on the obverse. It includes the inscriptions “Gerald R. Ford,” “In God We Trust,” and the years he served as President (1974-1977). The reverse side features a majestic rendition of the Statue of Liberty, a design consistent across the entire Presidential Dollar series.

The composition is not actually gold, despite the “Golden Dollar” nickname. It is made of a copper core with a manganese-brass cladding. This gives it the characteristic yellow hue. However, the 2016-S strikes are distinct because they are “Proof” coins. This means they were struck multiple times with specially polished dies to create a mirror-like background and frosted details.

To get a better idea of the financial side of your collection, checking the 2016 dollar coin values can provide a benchmark for current market trends. Collectors often look for “Deep Cameo” effects, where the contrast between the shiny field and the white frosting of the portrait is intense.

Grading and Value Factors for the San Francisco Mint Strike

In the world of coin collecting, “Condition is King.” A 2016-S Ford Dollar that has been scratched or handled with bare fingers will lose value quickly. Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use a 70-point scale to determine quality. For the San Francisco proofs, anything below a PR 67 is considered common and worth very little over face value.

However, once you hit PR 69 or the elusive PR 70 (a perfect coin), the price jumps significantly. Many collectors use CoinKnow to photograph their coins and get a preliminary idea of the grade before spending money on professional certification fees. Factors like “milk spots”—white cloudy patches caused by the cleaning process at the Mint—can negatively impact the value.

Coin Attribute	Impact on Value
Deep Cameo Contrast	Increases value by 20-50%
Scratches/Hairlines	Reduces value to near face value
Original Mint Packaging	Adds stability to resale price

Comparison: 2016-S Ford vs. Other 2016 Dollars

The year 2016 was the final year for the Presidential Dollar series, which only included three Presidents: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. Because it was the final year, the mintage numbers were relatively low compared to the early years of the program (like 2007). This lower supply often translates to slightly higher demand for the 2016 issues.

When comparing the Ford dollar to the Native American series released in the same year, you’ll see different pricing structures. For instance, looking at the 2016 Native American dollar price data shows how strike type (Position A vs Position B) affects value. The Ford Dollar, being a proof strike from San Francisco, doesn’t have these letter-position variations but relies instead on the quality of the edge lettering.

The edge of the 2016-S Gerald Ford dollar contains the year, the mint mark, and the motto “E Pluribus Unum.” On proof coins, this lettering is typically very sharp and clean. If the lettering is messy or faint, it could be a sign of a fake or a damaged specimen.

How to Sell Your 2016-S Ford Dollar

If you discover your coin is a high-grade specimen, you might be wondering where to sell it. Most local coin shops will offer you a “wholesale” price, which is usually around 50-60% of the book value. This is because they need to make a profit when they resell it. For a common proof worth $4, they might only offer you $1.50 or $2.00.

For high-value PR 70 coins, online auctions like eBay or GreatCollections are often the best route. These platforms allow you to reach specialized collectors who are willing to pay a premium for a perfect coin. Before listing, check the latest sales on CoinKnow to ensure you aren’t underpricing your item.

Remember that shipping and insurance costs can eat into your profit. If you have a single coin worth only $5, it is often better to keep it as a piece of history rather than selling it. Coins worth over $50 are the ones truly worth the effort of an individual sale.

Sales Channel	Pros	Cons
eBay Auction	High market exposure	Fees and shipping costs
Local Coin Shop	Instant cash payment	Lower payout percentage
Coin Shows	Multiple offers at once	Travel and entry fees

Important Errors to Look For

While the San Francisco Mint has very high quality control, errors do occasionally slip through. On Presidential Dollars, the most common errors involve the edge lettering. Occasionally, a coin will skip the edge-lettering machine entirely, resulting in a “Plain Edge” error. These are quite valuable, often selling for hundreds of dollars because they are so rare in the proof series.

Another error to watch for is “Doubled Die” strikes. This happens when the hub used to create the die leaves two slightly offset impressions. On the Ford Dollar, look closely at the eyes, the hair, or the lettering on the reverse. If you see distinct doubling, your coin’s value could skyrocket.

Always use a 10x magnifying loupe to inspect your coins. Bright, indirect light is best for seeing surface imperfections. If you see something unusual, a quick scan with a hobbyist app can tell you if it’s a known error or just post-mint damage.

FAQ: Common Questions About the 2016-S Ford Dollar

Q: Is the 2016 Gerald Ford dollar coin made of real gold?

A: No, it does not contain any actual gold. It is made of 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel. The gold color comes from the manganese-brass cladding.

Q: Can I find a 2016-S Gerald Ford dollar in my pocket change?

A: It is very unlikely. The “S” mint mark coins were only sold in sets to collectors. If you find one in change, it means someone took it out of a collector set and spent it by mistake.

Q: How many 2016-S Gerald Ford dollar coins were minted?

A: The United States Mint produced approximately 1.1 million of the 2016-S Ford Proof dollars. This is much lower than the hundreds of millions minted for earlier presidents like George Washington.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 2016-S Ford Dollar?

A: Perfect PR70 Deep Cameo specimens have sold at auction for prices ranging between $80 and $150, depending on the grading company and the timing of the sale.

Q: How do I clean my coin to make it worth more?

A: Never clean your coins! Cleaning a coin with chemicals or cloth will create tiny scratches called “hairlines.” This will permanently lower the grade and destroy most of the collector value. Keep it in its original holder.