Coin Value Contents Table
The 20th American President, James Garfield, served in the White House in 1881 when he was assassinated. As one of the presidents, he got coins with his image on the obverse in 2011, but they are neither rare nor particularly valuable.
Even though the 2011 James Garfield dollar coin value is relatively low, it is almost always higher than the face value struck on its reverse. It was the last coin in the series produced for circulation because of low demand, and all subsequent coins were intended for collectors only.
2011 James Garfield dollar value |
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| Condition | 2011 P dollar | 2011 D dollar | 2011 S proof dollar |
| MS 65 | $7 | $7 | / |
| PR 63 | / | / | $3 |
History of the 2011 James Garfield Dollar Coin
President James Garfield was the 20th President of the United States but lived too shortly to leave a deeper mark in history. He was an attorney when becoming an Ohio State Senator in 1859. After serving as a Union Major General during the Civil War, he was elected to Congress in 1863.
President Garfield entered the White House on March 4, 1881, and managed to increase American naval power before Charles J. Guiteau killed him. After serving 200 days in office, this honorable man passed away on September 19, 1881.
Since James Garfield was assassinated after only six months of service, he didn’t have time to enact any coinage legislation or appoint the US Mint director. However, he had firm pro-civil and anti-corruption rights stances, making him an honorable President.
2011 James Garfield dollar coin |
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| Location | Year | Minted |
| Philadelphia | 2011 P dollar | 37,100,000 |
| San Francisco | 2011 S dollar (proof) | 1,972,863 |
| Denver | 2011 D dollar | 37,100,000 |
| Total | / | 76,172,863 |
The coin dedicated to this President was the twentieth in the series and the final of four in 2011. It was also the last coin of this type released for both commercial use and as proof for collectors.
Coins from this series are rarely seen in circulation because of unpopularity in the US. However, they are in frequent use in El Salvador and Ecuador.
Also read: 12 Most Valuable One-Dollar Coin Worth Money
Features of the 2011 James Garfield Dollar Coin
The James Garfield Presidential dollars appeared in 2011 to honor the 20th American President. Unfortunately, he is not among the most significant presidents because of his short time spent in the White House. Besides, these coins are made of ordinary metal, making them a cheap but valuable part of the series.
The obverse of the 2011 James Garfield dollar coin
The 2011 James Garfield dollar coin’s obverse depicts the President who spent only a few months in the White House before the assassination. You can see his right-facing profile with his name engraved above.
Medallic Artist, Phebe Hemphill, reserved the bottom rim for the motto, IN GOD WE TRUST. There is also a written title, 20th PRESIDENT 1881, next to it.
The reverse of the 2011 James Garfield dollar coin
Sculptor-engraver Don Everhart designed the Presidential dollars reverse for all coins in the series, including the 2011 Garfield dollars. This coin side shows the Statue of Liberty and the denomination on its left side. Besides, the inscription, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, is engraved along the rim.
The edge of the 2011 James Garfield dollar coin
All Presidential dollars have a lettered edge containing crucial information, like the year of minting (2011) and mint mark (P, S, or D). Besides, there is E PLURIBUS UNUM, a Latin saying required on all American coinage.
2011 James Garfield dollar coin |
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| Face value | One dollar ($1) |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Lettered |
| Type | Circulating commemorative coin |
| Compound | Copper (88.5%), nickel (2%), zinc (6%), and manganese (3.5%) |
| Coin thickness | 0.08 inches (2 mm) |
| Coin weight | 0.286 ounces (8.07 g) |
| Coin diameter | 1.04 inches (26.49 mm) |
Other features of the 2011 James Garfield dollar coin
The 2011 James Garfield dollar is a part of the Presidential series, meaning its measures are the same as for other coins. This round, one-dollar circulating commemorative coin with a lettered edge is made of a four-metal alloy. The base metal is copper, 88.5% represented, while others are:
- Nickel
- Zinc
- Manganese
This coin is 0.08 inches (2 mm) thick, has a diameter of 1.04 inches (26.49 mm), and weighs 0.286 ounces (8.07 g).
Also read: 14 Most Valuable Coins In Circulation
2011 James Garfield Dollar Value Guides
Only two mints produced James Garfield dollars from a regular strike in 2011, while San Francisco released only proofs. The total amount of struck coins was 76,172,863. Interestingly, the Philadelphia and Denver mints struck exactly the same coin number this year.
2011 P James Garfield dollar value
Most of the 37,100,000 James Garfield dollar coins produced in Philadelphia are worth $1. The price is the same for all pieces in average condition, regardless of the lettering position.
Only dollar coins in the mint state are a bit more expensive. Their average price is approximately $4 to $6, but those in MS 65 grade often reach $7.
The most pricey coin from this mint won the auction record of $200. This piece in MS 68 grade Position B was sold on eBay in 2014. The specimen in the same grade but with Position A was slightly less expensive. One collector paid $189 for it in 2013.
2011 S proof James Garfield dollar value
San Francisco released 1,972,863 James Garfield dollar proof coins in 2011, or less than 2% of the total mintage. All these pieces were intended for collectors.
Their average price is about $2 per coin, but these in the mint state are typically more costly. The USA Coin Book estimates the value of specimens in MS 63 grade to be under $10.
Interestingly, auction records for proofs are far lower than regular coins, and the most pricey is the 2011 S PR 70 DCAM James Garfield dollar. It became a part of someone’s collection for a modest $60 in 2019. A coin with a signature and the same characteristics was even cheaper. It was sold for $37 in 2018 on eBay.
2011 D James Garfield dollar value
In 2011, the Denver mint had the same mintage as the one from Philadelphia and struck precisely 37,100,000 James Garfield dollar coins. While finding an average circulated piece for about $1 is possible, those in the mint state are worth more.
Their prices vary depending on the preservation level, ranging from $4 to $6. Only pieces with MS 65 grade and certified by a reputable coin grading company can reach over $7, regardless of the lettering position.
The James Garfield dollar coin with MS 68 grade Position B is the most expensive in the set. One collector grabbed it for $270 in 2016 as soon as it appeared on eBay. On the other hand, the coin with the D mint mark with MS 66 grade Position A issued the first day was sold for $101 on eBay in 2015.
Also read: Top 10 Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollar Worth Money
2011 James Garfield Dollar Coin Grading
Since the 2011 James Garfield dollars are modern coins, most collectors have already picked out pieces for their collections. Therefore, only specimens in the mint state are collectible, while it is almost impossible to find entirely worn-out ones. That makes their grading easier than usual and typically includes only coins in AU and the mint state.
2011 James Garfield Dollar Coin Errors
Even though the Presidential dollar series is modern, you maybe expect fewer errors than before. Unfortunately, it is not the case, and collectors have already discovered numerous 2011 James Garfield dollar coin imperfections by now.
The primary problem is a two-step minting process that leaves possibilities for imperfections, particularly on coin edges. You can recognize the most common errors, including:
Edge lettering inscriptions
Initially, the inscriptions on the Presidential dollar edge included IN GOD WE TRUST. However, this motto was removed from the edge and placed on the obverse in dollars minted after 2009. Even though it is not actually an error, these coins are typically more valuable than those struck later.
Upside down lettering
You can recognize two Presidential dollar types considering the edge lettering position. Approximately one-half of these coins have lettering placed heads-side up, while the other half comes with a heads-tails (upside-down) orientation.
Therefore, both options are regular and are not considered an error. Still, many collectors prefer having both in their collections, like two forms of the same dollar coin. In most cases, their prices are almost the same.
Missing edge lettering
These error coins (smooth edge Presidential dollars) appear when they miss the second minting step. However, such pieces are rare in later coins after the US Mint modified the procedure. So, it is unlikely to find the 2011 James Garfield dollars with such an imperfection.
Doubled lettering presidential dollars
Doubled edge lettering error coins and their inverted variation occur when these dollars go through the second step twice. The result is two edge lettering sets on the same edge with both inscriptions struck in the same or opposite directions. For now, it is non-existing in coins minted in 2011.
Lettered blank planchet
This error type appeared for the first time in 2007, and coins without the struck obverse and/or reverse sporadically occurred afterward. It is the rarest and most valuable, so you should pay attention once you get the James Garfield dollar.
FAQ about the 2011 James Garfield Dollar Value
What makes a 2011 James Garfield dollar coin rare?
Since James Garfield dollar coins were issued only 12 years ago, they are not rare or particularly valuable. In fact, you can buy them for a couple of dollars whenever you want.
Which 2011 James Garfield dollar coins are worth a lot of money?
- The 2011 D MS 68 J. Garfield dollar Position B was sold on eBay in 2016 for $270
- The 2011 P MS 68 J. Garfield dollar Position B was sold on eBay in 2014 for $200
- The 2011 P MS 68 J. Garfield dollar Position A was sold on eBay in 2013 for $189
- The 2011 D MS 66 J. Garfield dollar Position A (the first day of issue die variety) was sold on eBay in 2015 for $101
- The 2011 P MS 64 Doubled edge lettering overlap J. Garfield dollar Position A (die variety) was sold on eBay in 2018 for $80
- The 2011 D MS 68 J. Garfield dollar Position B was sold on eBay in 2015 for $68
- The 2011 S PR 70 DCAM J. Garfield dollar (the first strike) was sold in Great Collections in 2012 for $66
- The 2011 S PR 70 DCAM J. Garfield dollar was sold on eBay in 2019 for $60
- The 2011 P MS 67 Weak edge lettering J. Garfield dollar Position A (die variety) was sold on eBay in 2019 for $59
- The 2011 S PR 70 DCAM J. Garfield dollar with Signature was sold on eBay in 2018 for $37
- The 2011 P NGC Genuine J. Garfield dollar Position A (the first day of issue) was sold in David Lawrence RC in 2018 for $5
How much does the 2011 P James Garfield dollar coin cost?
In average condition, the James Garfield dollar coins from Philadelphia cost approximately $1 The price is the same regardless of the lettering position. Specimens in mint condition are worth $4 to $6, depending on their quality. However, one such coin, graded MS 68, was paid $200 at an auction in 2014.
What are the most costly Presidential dollar coins?
Despite being modern and relatively unpopular, the Presidential dollar series includes a few expensive coins, like:
- The 2008 S PR 65 Martin Van Buren dollar paid $5,980 in 2010
- The 2007 D MS 65 Thomas Jefferson dollar Position B paid $5,000 in 2021
- The 2016 S PR 70 DCAM Ronald Reagan dollar paid $3,075 in 2020
- The 2007 D MS 66 Thomas Jefferson dollar Position A paid $2,937.50 in 2014
- The 2007 P MS 64 John Adams dollar Position A paid $2,300in 2009
- The 2014 D MS 68 Herbert Hoover dollar Position A paid $2,200 in 2020
- The 2016 P MS 68 Gerald R. Ford dollar Position B paid $2,000 in 2018
- The 2015 D MS 68 Dwight D. Eisenhower dollar Position B paid $2,000 in 2018
