2012 Presidential Dollar Value Checker: Errors List, “P”, “D” & “S” Mint Mark Worth

2012 Presidential Dollar value ranges from $1.00 face value to $1,601. That record was set by a Grade 64 example sold on eBay in April 2013. If you’re curious what yours might be worth, upload a photo of your coin below for a quick value range. Then scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what collectors are paying today.

 

2012 Presidential Dollar Value By Variety

This chart displays the estimated market values of 2012 Presidential Dollar coins across different mint marks and condition grades. If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Presidential Dollars Value (2007 to Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 2012 Presidential Dollar Worth Money

This chart ranks the top 10 most valuable 2012 Presidential Dollar coins based on their market values from 2013 to the present. These are rare varieties and special specimens that collectors actively seek out.

The most valuable coin on the list is the 2012 Missing Edge Lettering Grover Cleveland 22nd dollar, which reached $1,601 at auction in April 2013. This error occurred when coins bypassed the edge lettering machine entirely, leaving the edge completely smooth and blank.

Other high-value entries include partial edge lettering errors and top-condition MS68 specimens. A 2012 Grover Cleveland 22nd Position A coin in MS68 brought $375 at auction in 2018, while a 2012-D Benjamin Harrison Position A graded MS68 realized $675 in 2020.

The presence of MS66 to MS68 grades on this list reflects a key fact: the 2012 coins’ manganese-brass alloy is chemically reactive and prone to dark carbon spots, making truly pristine, spot-free specimens genuine condition rarities. PCGS population reports show that fewer than 1% of submitted 2012 Presidential Dollars reach MS67 or higher.

 

History of the 2012 Presidential Dollar

The Presidential Dollar series was launched in 2007 under the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005. The program honored deceased U.S. presidents in the order they served, releasing four new designs each year. It was intended both to circulate widely and to boost public awareness of presidential history.

By 2012, the program had reached a defining crossroads. In December 2011, the U.S. Treasury enacted Public Law 112-59, directing the Mint to halt Presidential Dollar production for general circulation. The trigger was a staggering surplus — over 1.4 billion unused dollar coins were sitting in Federal Reserve vaults at a combined storage cost of millions of dollars annually.

Starting with the 2012 Chester Arthur coin, every Presidential Dollar became a “Not Intended For Circulation” (NIFC) issue. Coins were sold directly to collectors through the U.S. Mint in rolls, bags, and numismatic sets. A 100-coin bag of 2012 Presidential Dollars carried a retail price of $111.95, while a 250-coin box sold for $275.95.

The impact on mintages was dramatic. While 2007–2011 issues were produced in quantities of 35 to 176 million per design, the 2012 series averaged roughly 11 million coins per design across both Philadelphia and Denver combined. The Grover Cleveland First Term coin had the lowest combined mintage of the four 2012 designs at approximately 9.52 million, while the Grover Cleveland Second Term coin had the highest at approximately 14.6 million.

The four presidents honored in 2012 — Chester Arthur, Grover Cleveland (for both terms), and Benjamin Harrison — all served during America’s Gilded Age, a period of rapid industrialization, expanding railroad networks, and significant political reform. Error varieties and high-grade specimens from this pivotal transitional year have attracted particular collector interest, making select 2012 coins far more valuable than their modest face value suggests.

Also Read: Top 40+ Most Valuable Presidential Dollar Coins Worth Money

 

Is Your 2012 Presidential Dollar Rare?

Want to know if your 2012 Presidential Dollar is rare? Simply scan your coin with our Coin Identifier and Value App to instantly check its rarity and current market value.

 

Key Features of the 2012 Presidential Dollar

The 2012 Presidential Dollar series features four distinct obverse designs honoring Chester Arthur, Grover Cleveland (appearing twice for his non-consecutive terms), and Benjamin Harrison. All four coins share a common reverse design depicting the Statue of Liberty. These coins marked the sixth year of the Presidential Dollar program and the first year of NIFC (collector-only) production.

The Obverse of the 2012 Presidential Dollar

The obverse displays a three-quarter profile portrait of each honored president. Don Everhart designed the portraits of Chester Arthur and both Grover Cleveland coins, while Phebe Hemphill created the Benjamin Harrison portrait.

Each design captures the president’s likeness with close attention to historical detail. The president’s name appears along the top of the coin in capital letters, with the order number and years of service inscribed below the portrait. The inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST” also appears on each obverse — a placement adopted for all Presidential Dollars starting in 2009, after early 2007–2008 issues carried this motto on the edge and sparked public controversy.

The Reverse of the 2012 Presidential Dollar

Don Everhart designed the common reverse used across all Presidential Dollar coins in the series. The design shows an upward-looking view of the Statue of Liberty, positioned in the lower right quadrant of the coin, with her torch-bearing arm extending as the focal point.

The inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the rim, and the denomination “$1” appears beneath Liberty’s arm. A thin inner circle frames the entire composition, creating a clean border for the central image.

Other Features of the 2012 Presidential Dollar

The coins are composed of 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel. They weigh 8.1 grams, measure 26.5 mm in diameter, and have a thickness of 2 mm.

The manganese content in the alloy is worth knowing as a collector. Manganese reacts with sulfur compounds in air, cardboard tubes, and PVC plastic holders to form dark carbon spots or “flyspecks” that permanently lower a coin’s grade — this is why spot-free examples in MS67 or higher are genuinely hard to find.

The edge features incused lettering including the year of minting, the mint mark, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” This edge lettering is one of the most distinctive characteristics of the Presidential Dollar series — and also the source of the series’ most valuable error types when that lettering is missing or incomplete.

Also Read: Top 80+ Most Valuable Sacagawea Dollar Worth Money (2000-P to Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2012 Presidential Dollar Value

Start by checking the edge of your coin for the mint mark. Philadelphia coins carry a “P,” Denver coins carry a “D,” and San Francisco proof coins carry an “S” — all three marks appear on the edge alongside the date and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”

Next, examine the coin’s surfaces carefully under good lighting. Look for original mint luster, absence of wear or scratches, and — critically — freedom from brown or black carbon spots. Even a small spot can drop a coin from MS67 to MS65, which can cut its value significantly. Coins stored in original U.S. Mint packaging away from humidity and sulfur sources have the best chance of retaining high grades.

Then check the edge carefully for lettering quality. A completely smooth, blank edge with no text whatsoever is the most valuable error in the series. Partial or faint edge lettering also carries a premium. The orientation of the edge lettering (Position A or Position B) is a normal variety, not an error, and does not significantly affect value.

Scan your coin with our Coin Identifier and Value App to instantly identify its grade and current market value.

 

2012 Presidential Dollar Value Guides

The 2012 Presidential Dollar series honored four presidents from America’s Gilded Age — a period marked by rapid industrialization, civil service reform, and significant debate over the role of government. Each coin captures the legacy of these leaders through detailed portrait designs struck on the first collector-only Presidential Dollars in the program’s history.

• 2012 Chester Arthur Presidential Dollar
• 2012 Grover Cleveland 22nd Presidential Dollar
• 2012 Benjamin Harrison Presidential Dollar
• 2012 Grover Cleveland 24th Presidential Dollar

These four designs complete the 2012 series. Because all were sold through the U.S. Mint’s numismatic programs rather than circulated, nearly all surviving examples are in uncirculated condition — making the distinction between MS65, MS67, and MS68 especially meaningful for collectors building high-grade sets.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollar Coins Worth Money List

 

2012 Chester Arthur Presidential Dollar Value

The 2012 Chester Arthur Presidential Dollar honors America’s 21st president, who served from 1881 to 1885. Arthur surprised many contemporaries by championing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, which introduced competitive examinations for federal jobs and helped dismantle the spoils system he had previously benefited from.

Chester Arthur had the lowest combined mintage of the four 2012 designs — approximately 10.08 million coins across Philadelphia and Denver. San Francisco produced 1,438,710 proof versions. Because all 2012 issues were NIFC coins sold only through the U.S. Mint, nearly all surviving examples are in uncirculated condition, making high-grade specimens genuine condition rarities driven by the alloy’s spotting tendency rather than low mintage alone.

Don Everhart designed the Arthur portrait. Philadelphia and Denver each struck Position A and Position B varieties. Top-grade examples command solid premiums: a Philadelphia Position A specimen in MS68 sold for $200 in 2019, and a Denver Position A in MS68 brought $250 at auction in 2023. San Francisco proof versions in PR70 Deep Cameo (DCAM — meaning deeply frosted portrait devices against mirror-like fields) are more elusive than the PR69 grade, which is the most commonly encountered proof quality for this series.

The chart below tracks auction results for this coin over time.

Market data shows how collector demand has evolved for this presidential dollar.

 

2012 Grover Cleveland 22nd Presidential Dollar Value

The 2012 Grover Cleveland 22nd Presidential Dollar commemorates Cleveland’s first term as the 22nd president, from 1885 to 1889. Cleveland was the only president in the series to appear on two separate coins, honored once for each of his non-consecutive terms. He was known for vetoing hundreds of private pension bills he viewed as fraudulent, earning a reputation for principled fiscal restraint.

This coin had the lowest combined mintage of all four 2012 designs, at approximately 9.52 million across Philadelphia (5.46 million) and Denver (4.06 million). San Francisco struck 1,438,710 proof versions. Like other 2012 NIFC issues, the manganese-brass composition makes spot-free examples in MS67 and above genuinely difficult to find.

The Cleveland 22nd is also home to the most valuable error coin in the 2012 series. Only 17 examples of a missing edge lettering error on this design have been reported, with a specimen graded MS64 selling for $1,601 at auction in April 2013. That extreme rarity puts confirmed examples in a different category from the more common edge lettering errors found in this series. High-grade standard examples also command premiums — a Philadelphia Position A in MS68 achieved $375 at auction in 2018.

Historical sale prices demonstrate the range of values this coin has achieved in the marketplace.

The data below illustrates how this coin has performed in recent collector transactions.

 

2012 Benjamin Harrison Presidential Dollar Value

The 2012 Benjamin Harrison Presidential Dollar honors the 23rd president, who served from 1889 to 1893. Phebe Hemphill designed Harrison’s portrait — she was one of the key artists behind the Presidential Dollar series and is recognized in PCGS population records for her work. Harrison’s single term included the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 and the admission of six new states, the most in any single presidential term.

Philadelphia struck approximately 5.64 million Harrison dollars, and Denver struck 4.2 million. San Francisco contributed 1,438,710 proof versions. The PCGS notes that most proof versions came in PR68 to PR69 quality, with PR70 Deep Cameo examples considered somewhat scarce but still available enough to meet collector demand.

Top-grade business strike examples command the strongest premiums in the 2012 series. A Denver Position A example reached $675 at auction in 2020 when graded MS68, reportedly one of fewer than a dozen known specimens at that grade for this variety. By comparison, standard uncirculated MS65 pieces typically trade in the $3–4 range. The jump in value between MS67 and MS68 for Presidential Dollars is steep — driven entirely by the alloy’s instability and the resulting scarcity of completely spot-free, mark-free survivors.

Past auction results provide insight into the pricing history for this presidential issue.

The chart below captures buyer interest and market behavior for this coin.

 

2012 Grover Cleveland 24th Presidential Dollar Value

The 2012 Grover Cleveland 24th Presidential Dollar represents Cleveland’s second term as the 24th president, from 1893 to 1897. This coin completes the 2012 series as the fourth and final design issued that year. Don Everhart designed this portrait, as he did for all three other 2012 designs except Harrison.

Cleveland’s second-term coin had the highest combined mintage of the four 2012 designs, at approximately 14.6 million across Philadelphia and Denver combined. This higher mintage makes it slightly more accessible for set builders, but it does not reduce the value of top-grade specimens — the alloy’s chemistry creates condition rarities regardless of mintage. San Francisco proof versions carried the same 1,438,710 mintage as the other three 2012 proof designs.

Market values reflect this pattern. A Philadelphia Position A coin in MS68 sold for $120 in 2019, while a Denver Position A example in the same grade realized $240 in 2020. Standard uncirculated pieces typically trade around $6. San Francisco proof versions in PR69 Deep Cameo represent the most affordable way to own a high-quality certified 2012 Presidential Dollar, typically trading in the $20–30 range.

Auction results highlight the price levels achieved for this presidential dollar over time.

Current marketplace dynamics reflect how collectors approach this Cleveland second-term dollar.

Also Read: 17 Rare Dollar Coin Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 2012 Presidential Dollar Error List

Production errors during the edge lettering process created several valuable varieties in the 2012 Presidential Dollar series. These minting mistakes attract significant collector interest and can command substantial premiums over standard coins. Because 2012 was the first NIFC year, edge lettering errors are less common than they were in the high-volume 2007–2011 circulation era — but they do exist, and confirmed examples are valuable.

1. 2012 Missing Edge Lettering Errors

Missing edge lettering errors occur when coins completely bypass the edge lettering machine during production. The edge remains completely smooth and blank, with no date, mint mark, or “E PLURIBUS UNUM” visible anywhere. This represents a total failure in the final step of the minting process.

These errors are exceptionally rare among 2012 Presidential Dollars. Only 17 examples of the 2012 Grover Cleveland 22nd Term dollar with missing edge lettering have been confirmed. A specimen graded MS64 (Mint State — meaning uncirculated, on a 1–70 grading scale) realized $1,601 at auction in April 2013. Genuine missing edge lettering coins measure exactly 26.5 mm in diameter and weigh 8.1 grams — always verify these measurements before paying error premiums, as altered coins with filed edges do exist.

2. 2012 Weak Edge Lettering Errors

Weak edge lettering appears when insufficient die pressure or worn tooling produces faint, incompletely formed inscriptions on the coin’s edge. The lettering is present but noticeably lighter or thinner than a normally struck coin, and some individual letters may be barely legible.

A 2012 Benjamin Harrison weak edge lettering error graded MS66 sold for $79 in 2019. These errors are more common than missing edge lettering varieties but still attract a collector premium over standard coins. The more pronounced the weakness — meaning the harder letters are to read — the more valuable the error tends to be.

3. 2012 Partial Edge Lettering Errors

Partial edge lettering errors show incomplete inscriptions where only portions of the text appear on the coin’s edge. This happens when a coin partially enters or exits the edge lettering machine at an angle, applying lettering to only part of the circumference. Some words or letters may be completely absent while others remain sharp and fully formed.

These errors vary widely in appearance and collector value depending on how much text is missing. A 2012-P Cleveland 22nd Position B partial edge lettering error graded MS66 sold for $809 in 2013. A 2012-P Arthur Position A partial edge lettering example in MS66 achieved $250 at auction in 2018. The more dramatic the omission, the higher the premium.

4. 2012 Double Edge Lettering-Overlap Errors

Double edge lettering-overlap errors result when a coin passes through the edge lettering machine twice in the same direction. The inscriptions appear doubled or overlapped, creating a visibly duplicated impression of the text. This differs from an inverted double edge lettering error, where the second pass runs in the opposite direction.

These errors appeal particularly to Presidential Dollar specialists who collect by error type. Examples in MS64 (Mint State 64 — a solid uncirculated coin with a few minor marks) are valued around $150, while MS65 specimens can reach $400. The clearer the doubling is to the naked eye, the stronger the collector interest and the higher the price.

 

Where to Sell Your 2012 Presidential Dollar?

After exploring the values of 2012 Presidential Dollars, you might be wondering about the best places to sell these coins. I’ve gathered a comprehensive list of trusted platforms, complete with detailed reviews covering their features, advantages, and potential drawbacks to help you make informed decisions.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

FAQ about the 2012 Presidential Dollar

1. Why weren’t 2012 Presidential Dollars released into circulation?

In December 2011, the U.S. Treasury enacted Public Law 112-59, suspending Presidential Dollar production for general circulation. By that time, over 1.4 billion unused dollar coins sat in Federal Reserve vaults, costing millions of dollars per year in storage fees alone.

Starting with the 2012 Chester Arthur coin, all Presidential Dollars were minted exclusively for collectors who purchased them directly from the U.S. Mint. This decision was made to eliminate waste and curb further buildup, as the American public strongly preferred paper dollars and electronic payments over dollar coins for everyday use.

2. Are all four 2012 Presidential Dollar designs equally valuable?

Standard uncirculated 2012 Presidential Dollars typically trade at similar values in the $5–7 range, and no single design dramatically outperforms the others in that tier. However, mintages do differ — the Grover Cleveland First Term coin had the lowest combined mintage at about 9.52 million, while the Grover Cleveland Second Term had the highest at roughly 14.6 million.

For error coins and high-grade specimens, the Grover Cleveland 22nd Term design holds the biggest premium, because only 17 confirmed missing edge lettering examples are known for that design. In MS68, Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland 22nd designs tend to command the strongest prices.

3. What does DCAM mean on a 2012 Presidential Dollar proof coin?

DCAM stands for Deep Cameo — a designation awarded by grading services like PCGS and NGC to proof coins that display strong contrast between deeply frosted (white, frosty) portrait devices and mirror-bright, reflective fields. It is the highest-quality proof finish designation.

San Francisco (S-mint) proof Presidential Dollars are struck using specially prepared dies and polished blanks. Most 2012-S proof dollars grade PR68 to PR69, with PR70 DCAM (a perfect, flawless coin by the grading scale) considered somewhat scarce. PR70 DCAM examples generally sell for roughly 2–3 times the value of a PR69 DCAM for the same design.

4. What is the difference between Position A and Position B on 2012 Presidential Dollars?

Position A and Position B refer to the orientation of the edge lettering relative to the coin’s obverse design. When you hold the coin with the president’s portrait facing up, a Position A coin has edge lettering that appears upside down, while a Position B coin has edge lettering that reads right-side up.

This variation exists because the U.S. Mint applies edge lettering in a separate step after the coin faces are struck, and coins pass through the edge lettering machine randomly. Neither position is an error or worth more than the other for standard coins — the distinction is mainly relevant for collectors who want to match position types within a set.

5. How can I tell if my 2012 Presidential Dollar has a genuine missing edge lettering error?

A genuine missing edge lettering coin has a completely smooth, blank edge with absolutely no trace of text or lettering anywhere around the circumference. It must measure exactly 26.5 mm in diameter — filed or altered coins tend to be slightly smaller. It must also weigh 8.1 grams.

Be skeptical of any edge that looks worn or scratched, as heavily circulated edge lettering can sometimes appear faint rather than missing. If you believe you have a genuine error, have it authenticated by PCGS, NGC, or ANACS before paying or accepting error premiums. Counterfeit missing-edge errors do exist in the market.

6. Why do high-grade 2012 Presidential Dollars have carbon spots?

Presidential Dollars are made from a manganese-brass alloy containing about 3.5% manganese. Manganese reacts with sulfur compounds found in air, cardboard coin tubes, and PVC plastic holders to form dark brown or black spots called “carbon spots” or “flyspecks.”

These spots permanently lower a coin’s grade, and even a tiny spot can prevent a coin from reaching MS67 or higher. PCGS population data shows that fewer than 1% of submitted 2012 Presidential Dollars achieve MS67 or better, making truly pristine spot-free examples genuine condition rarities. To protect your coins, store them in inert plastic holders (not PVC), at 40–50% humidity, away from cardboard and paper products.

7. What were 2012 Presidential Dollars sold for at the U.S. Mint?

The U.S. Mint offered 2012 Presidential Dollars in several formats directly to collectors. A 100-coin bag of a single design cost $111.95, a 250-coin box cost $275.95, and a 500-coin box cost $550.95. Proof versions from San Francisco were sold as part of the annual Presidential Dollar Proof Set.

These prices were set at a premium to face value, reflecting the collector-only status of NIFC issues. Coins purchased in original U.S. Mint packaging and stored correctly have the best chance of retaining their grade and value over time.

8. What is the total mintage for the 2012 Presidential Dollar series?

The four 2012 Presidential Dollar designs had a combined business-strike mintage of approximately 44 million coins across Philadelphia and Denver. This compares to several hundred million coins for equivalent 2007–2011 designs, which were produced for general circulation.

San Francisco contributed an additional 1,438,710 proof versions of each design for a total of about 5.75 million proof coins across the four designs. The dramatic drop in mintage compared to earlier years reflects the shift to collector-only production after Public Law 112-59 took effect.

9. Are 2012 Presidential Dollar proof sets a good investment?

The 2012-S Presidential Dollar proof set is an affordable and historically significant set to own, as it represents the first year of NIFC production. PR69 DCAM examples of each design can be purchased for around $20–30 apiece, making a complete four-coin certified PR69 set achievable for under $120.

PR70 DCAM examples command higher premiums — typically 2–3 times the PR69 price — but supply is sufficient enough that these are not scarce investments in the way that, say, top-pop error coins are. The set is best viewed as a historical collectible marking a turning point in the series rather than a short-term investment vehicle.

10. Which 2012 Presidential Dollar error is the rarest?

The rarest confirmed 2012 Presidential Dollar error is the missing edge lettering error on the Grover Cleveland 22nd Term design, with only 17 reported examples. A specimen graded MS64 sold for $1,601 at auction in April 2013, and better-preserved examples would command significantly more today.

After that, partial edge lettering errors with dramatic omissions are the next most sought-after, with select examples selling for $800 or more in MS66. Double edge lettering overlap errors and weak edge lettering errors round out the major error categories, with values generally ranging from $79 to $400 depending on the severity and grade. Always have potential errors authenticated before buying or selling at premium prices.