1797 to 1801 John Adams Dollar Coin Value (Errors List, “P” & “D” Mint Mark Worth)

Do you own a 2007 John Adams dollar coin and want to know how much it is worth today?

Or are you considering adding a John Adams dollar coin to your collection but want to ensure it is worthwhile?

Well, you have come to the right place! In this article, we explain everything you need to know about the value of the 1797 to 1801 John Adams dollar coin.

You will learn about the factors that influence the coin’s value and how the coins are graded. You will also discover some coin errors that can fetch hundreds of dollars.

So, let’s jump in!

 

1797 To 1801 John Adams Dollar Value Chart
Mint mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated
1797 to 1801 P John Adams Dollar Coin Value	$1	$1	$1	$12
1797 to 1801 D John Adams Dollar Coin Value	$1	$1	$1	$12
1797 to 1801 Proof John Adams Dollar Coin Value	–	–	–	$30

History of the 1797 to 1801 John Adams Dollar Coin

John Adams was the second president of the United States, serving from 1797 to 1801. Before that, he spent eight years as George Washington’s vice president.

Born in 1735 in the colony of Massachusetts Bay, Adams worked as a lawyer and diplomat. He played a major role in pushing for American independence.

Here’s a fun detail: Adams signed the Act that kept the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. He also established the Navy Department, which proved critical when the USA won the War of 1812.

The United States Mint struck the 1797 to 1801 John Adams Dollar Coin in 2007 to honor the nation’s second president. It was part of the Presidential $1 Coin Program under Public Law 109-145. The Mint released one-dollar gold coins featuring portraits of each U.S. President. The program was halted in 2012 because production outpaced demand.

If you collect presidential dollars, the 2007 John Adams is a solid pickup. Let’s look at what makes it tick.

Also read: 12 Most Valuable One-Dollar Coin Worth Money

Features of the 1797 to 1801 John Adams Dollar Coin

The John Adams dollar shares the same basic layout as other coins in the presidential series. Here’s what to look for:

The Obverse of the 1797 to 1801 Johns Adams Dollar Coin

The obverse shows a slightly right-facing portrait of Adams.

Look closely at the jacket collars. You’ll spot the initials J.I. on the left and CLV on the right. J.I. stands for Joel Iskowitz, the portrait designer, and CLV is Charles L. Vickers, the sculptor. Back then, it was standard practice for engravers to initial their work.

“JOHN ADAMS” runs across the top. Along the bottom you’ll see “2^nd PRESIDENT” and the years 1797-1801.

The Reverse of the 1797 to 1801 John Adams Dollar Coin

 

The reverse of the John Adams Dollar coin is similar to other coins in the presidential series. You’ll see the Statue of Liberty front and center.

The $1 denomination sits on the left side, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA wraps around the rim.

Other Features of the 1797 to 1801 John Adams Dollar Coin

The coin’s composition is 88% copper core, 6$ zinc, 3% manganese and 2% nickel.

It weighs 8.10 grams with a diameter of 26.50 millimetres.

Flip it to the edge—that’s where things get interesting on presidential dollars. You’ll find the inscriptions: 2007- E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST.

There are two versions based on edge lettering orientation. Position A means the edge lettering reads normally when the obverse faces up. Position B means the edge lettering reads upside down with the obverse facing up.

Edge lettering errors are some of the most common mistakes on presidential dollars. They can bump your coin’s value way up.

Check out this video for more on what to look for:

Also read: 14 Most Valuable Coins In Circulation

1797 to 1801 John Adams Dollar Coin Grading

In circulated grades, the 2007 John Adams dollar is basically a face-value coin at $1. A few nicer circulated pieces might pull slightly more.

Condition drives everything. Coins with heavy bag marks, dings, and wear grade low. Pieces with bright luster and minimal contact marks grade higher. Pretty straightforward.

Here’s a video walkthrough on grading your John Adams dollar:

1797 to 1801 John Adams Dollar Coin Value Guides

All three minting facilities—Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco—struck the 1797 to 1801 John Adams coin in 2007.

• The 1797 to 1801 P John Adams Dollar Coin Value
• The 1797 to 1801 D John Adams Dollar Coin
• The 1797 to 1801 Proof John Adams Dollar Coin

1797 to 1801 P John Adams Dollar Coin Value

With a mintage of 112,420,000, you’re not going to have trouble finding one of these. Both Position A and Position B coins came out of Philadelphia that year.

Most went straight into circulation, so don’t be surprised if one turns up in your change. That massive mintage means circulated examples are worth face value—$1, plain and simple.

Mint state pieces are a different story. An MS60 runs about $3. Push into MS62 and above, and you’re looking at $5-$12. These higher-grade survivors are genuinely scarce.

The top sale? According to PCGS, an MS64 specimen hammered for $2,300. That’s a serious price for a modern dollar, but top-pop coins in registry sets can do that.

1797 to 1801 D John Adams Dollar Coin Value

Here’s a question most collectors ask: is the Denver version any scarcer? Not really. Denver struck 112,140,000 pieces—almost identical to Philly’s output. Both Position A and Position B coins exist.

Circulated coins from Extremely Fine through About Uncirculated grade at $1. Unless you’ve got an error, there’s no premium on these.

Mint state examples are tough to find, though. Expect $3 to $12 depending on grade. The record sale for a Denver piece was an MS68 satin finish specimen that brought $69 in 2008. That satin finish made the difference—regular strikes don’t touch that number.

1797 to 1801 Proof John Adams Dollar Coin Value

If you want the prettiest version of this coin, the San Francisco proof is it. Special dies give these coins sharper detail, deeper mirrors, and crisper lettering than any regular strike.

San Francisco produced 3,965,989 proof dollars for the Adams issue. The Mint sold them in four-coin sets featuring Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison.

You can spot a proof by the S mint mark on the edge. There’s also a production difference—regular strikes get their edges from a Schuler Machine, while proofs use a three-tonged collar die.

A PF67 runs about $5. PF69 coins go for around $12. The real prize is a PF70—those are worth up to $30, and the top auction result was $127 in 2008.

Also read: Top 10 Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollar Worth Money

1797 to 1801 John Adams Dollar Coin Errors

Minting errors happen on every coin series. On the John Adams dollar, a few specific errors can turn a $1 coin into something worth cherrypicking for. Here’s what to hunt for:

1797 to 1801 John Adams Dollar Coin Double Edge Lettering Overlapped Error

This was one of the first edge errors spotted on the 2007 Adams dollars. What happened? The coin went through the edge lettering machine twice. The second pass stamped right over the first, creating overlapping text you can feel with your fingernail.

Run your thumb along the edge. If the lettering looks jumbled or doubled, you might have one. These are popular with error collectors and can bring up to $288 depending on the coin’s condition. Mint state examples fetch the most.

1797 to 1801 John Adams Dollar Coin Double Edge Lettering Inverted Error

This one’s a twist—literally. The coin got fed through the lettering machine twice, but the second time it went in flipped. So the second set of edge lettering is upside down over the first.

Compared to other presidential edge errors, this Adams variety is fairly common. In mint state, expect $15 to $52. Not bad for a dollar coin.

The record holder? A specimen that sold for $489 at auction in 2008, according to PCGS. I think these are still underpriced for what they are.

1797 to 1801 John Adams Dollar Coin Missing Edge Lettering Inverted Error

This is the big one. The edge lettering machine simply skipped the coin entirely, leaving a completely smooth edge. No date, no motto—nothing.

Missing edge Adams dollars are scarcer than similar errors on other presidential issues. Most surviving examples grade MS65 or higher, which tells you these were caught early and set aside.

Value-wise, an AU58 goes for about $25. MS65 to MS68 pieces run $30-$46. But the real headline is a single MS64 coin that sold for $3,335 in 2009. We think that’s the error to cherrypick if you’re cracking rolls.

Where to Sell Your 1797 to 1801 John Adams dollar ?

Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons. 

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

FAQ

How much is a 2007 John Adams dollar coin worth?

Most are worth face value—$1. Mint state regular strikes can hit $3, while proofs and error coins can bring hundreds or even thousands.

Is the John Adams coin real gold?

Nope. Despite that golden shiny appearance, it’s a copper coin clad in a manganese, zinc, and brass alloy. The brass gives it that gold look, but the shine fades over time as the coin circulates.

Where is the mint mark on a 1797 to 1801 John Adam dollar coin?

Check the edge. On all presidential dollars, the mint mark is part of the edge lettering. Philadelphia coins won’t show a “P” mint mark, but Denver coins have a “D” and San Francisco proofs carry an “S.”