What Is a Dollar Coin & What Are the Different Types?

A dollar coin is a denomination of United States currency with a face value of one dollar, produced by the United States Mint. These coins are physical representations of the U.S. dollar, serving as an alternative to the dollar bill. Unlike paper currency, dollar coins are metallic, designed for durability and a longer lifespan in circulation. Their composition and distinct features set them apart from other denominations and paper money.

Key Features of Dollar Coins

United States dollar coins possess specific physical characteristics. These coins typically have a diameter of about 26.5 millimeters and a thickness of approximately 2.0 millimeters. Their weight is commonly around 8.1 grams. Many modern dollar coins are composed of a manganese brass cladding over a copper core, which gives them a distinctive golden color, differentiating them from other silver-colored coinage.

Some dollar coins feature edge lettering, where inscriptions like the mint mark, date of mintage, and mottos such as “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust” are incused around the coin’s rim rather than on its faces. This edge lettering can be oriented in two positions relative to the coin’s obverse.

A Look at Past and Present Dollar Coins

The United States has issued various dollar coin series throughout its history. The Eisenhower Dollar, minted from 1971 to 1978, was the first large-sized dollar coin of the copper-nickel clad era, featuring President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the obverse and an eagle landing on the moon on the reverse. For the Bicentennial in 1976, this coin featured a dual date (1776-1976) and a reverse design of the Liberty Bell superimposed on the moon.

Following the Eisenhower Dollar, the Susan B. Anthony Dollar was minted from 1979 to 1981 and again in 1999. This coin was smaller, with an eleven-sided inner border, and depicted women’s suffragist Susan B. Anthony on the obverse, making her the first non-mythical woman on a circulating U.S. coin. The reverse maintained the Apollo 11 eagle design.

The Sacagawea Dollar, introduced in 2000, marked a return to a golden-colored coin. Its obverse features Sacagawea with her infant son, Jean Baptiste, while the reverse initially displayed a soaring eagle. From 2009 onward, the Sacagawea Dollar series transitioned into the Native American Dollar series, retaining Sacagawea on the obverse but introducing annually changing reverse designs that honor various aspects of Native American culture and contributions.

The Presidential Dollar series, minted from 2007 to 2016 and again in 2020, features portraits of deceased U.S. presidents on the obverse, with four different designs released each year in order of their service. The reverse of these coins consistently displays the Statue of Liberty. These coins are notable for having their date, mint mark, and mottos incused on the edge.

The American Innovation Dollar series began in 2018 and is scheduled to continue through 2032, with four new designs released annually from 2019. This program honors innovation and innovators from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The obverse of these coins features the Statue of Liberty, while the reverse showcases state-specific innovations.

How Dollar Coins Circulate Today

Dollar coins are available for circulation, though they are not as widely used as dollar bills. Their presence is often observed in specific contexts, such as public transit systems, certain vending machines, and post offices, which frequently dispense them as change. For instance, ticket machines for public transportation may provide dollar coins as change for larger bills.

Individuals can obtain dollar coins from financial institutions. Retail banks typically have them on hand, and customers can request them by exchanging bills or making a withdrawal. Banks can often order larger quantities if desired. The United States Mint also offers new, uncirculated dollar coins directly to collectors through their website.