1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren Dollar Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth)
Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the USA, serving from 1837 to 1841. And he’s commemorated on a dollar coin issued in 2008.
But if you have one of these dollars, could it be valuable?
We’re going to tell you everything you need to know to answer that question! We’ll look at what affects the 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin value. And we’ll investigate the range of values estimated by independent coin graders, as well as the prices achieved at auction.
Ready to find out more? Step this way …
1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren Dollar Value Checker
Identify 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren Dollar D, S and P Mint Mark Price
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1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren $1 Coin Value Chart |
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| Type | Circulated | MS60 | MS65 | MS66 | MS67 |
| 2008 P 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren Dollar Coin, Position A Value | $1 | $3 | $7 | $12 | $80 |
| 2008 P 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren Dollar Coin, Position B Value | $1 | $3 | $7 | $12 | $55 |
| 2008 D 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren Dollar Coin, Position A Value | $1 | $3 | $7 | $12 | n/a |
| 2008 D 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren Dollar Coin, Position B Value | $1 | $3 | $7 | $12 | $300 |
| PR60 | PR63 | PR68 | PR69 | PR70 | |
| 2008 S 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren Dollar Coin, Proof, Deep Cameo Value | – | $3 | $5 | $12 | $30 |
| SP60 | SP63 | SP65 | SP68 | SP69 | |
| 2008 P 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren Dollar Coin, Position A, Satin Finish Value | $3 | $4 | $5 | $12 | $300 |
| 2008 P 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren Dollar Coin, Position B, Satin Finish Value | $3 | $4 | $5 | $12 | $65 |
| 2008 D 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren Dollar Coin, Position A Satin Finish Value | $3 | $4 | $5 | $12 | $90 |
| 2008 D 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren Dollar Coin, Position B, Satin Finish Value | $3 | $4 | $5 | $12 | $575 |
History of the 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin
The US Mint kicked off the Presidential dollar series in 2007, honoring the nation’s presidents on new dollar coins. Each president had to have been dead at least two years to qualify.
Coins came out in order of presidency. Van Buren was number eight, so his dollar was the eighth released. It hit circulation in November 2008, with production running about three months.
Over 102 million business strikes rolled off the presses. Philadelphia and Denver split the work, with Philly producing just over half. San Francisco handled the proof coins for collectors.
One standout feature? Edge lettering. The Mint hadn’t put lettering on a coin’s edge in over 70 years. It looked great but caused headaches — throughout the Presidential series, some coins shipped with missing, weak, or partial edge inscriptions. Those mistakes are now hot collectibles.
Van Buren’s dollar wasn’t the only Presidential dollar in 2008. James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson all got their coins earlier that year. Sacagawea dollars were still being struck too.
The Mint also produced companion “First Spouse” gold coins. Here’s a fun detail: Van Buren was unmarried during his presidency, so his companion coin featured Lady Liberty on the obverse instead of a first lady.
Also read: 12 Most Valuable One-Dollar Coin Worth Money
Features of the 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin
Obverse of the 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin
Like every coin in the Presidential series, the obverse shows the president’s portrait. You’ll see Van Buren’s head and upper shoulders, facing slightly left.
The portrait was designed by Joel Iskowitz, an American artist known for his stamp designs, medals, and book illustrations.
His name curves above the portrait. Below it reads “8th President” and then “1847 to 1851” — those are his years in office.
Reverse of the 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin
The reverse of the Martin Van Buren dollar coin is the same design used across the entire Presidential series.
You’re looking up at the Statue of Liberty from below. Her right arm stretches through the center, drawing your eye straight to the torch. The full official title of the statue is “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
The country’s name circles the design. The denomination sits below Liberty’s outstretched arm. All lettering is in ITC Benguiat font.
Other features of the 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin
These coins have that familiar pale gold color you see on all Presidential dollars. The core is copper, but the cladding — an alloy of copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel — gives it that golden look.
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Each coin measures 26.5 millimeters in diameter (just over an inch) and weighs 8.1 grams.
Check the edge. You’ll find the mint mark, year of issue, 13 stars, and both “E pluribus unum” and “In God We Trust.” Starting with the 2009-dated coins, “In God We Trust” moved to the obverse.
This YouTube video from Big D Coins looks in detail at the features of the Van Buren dollar coin.
Also read: 14 Most Valuable Coins In Circulation
1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin value guides
2008 P 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin, Position A and Position B value
With 51,520,000 struck in Philadelphia alone, you won’t have trouble finding one of these. The “P” mint mark sits on the coin’s edge.
Most circulated examples are worth face value. Even slabbed mint state coins trade for just a few bucks through MS66. The ceiling for known examples is MS67 — three points shy of perfect.
Here’s where Position A vs. Position B matters. Hold the coin with Van Buren’s portrait face up. If the edge lettering reads upside down, that’s Position A. If it reads normally, Position B.
The PCGS values a Position A coin at MS67 at $80. Position B examples are a bit more common at that grade, so they come in around $55.
2008 D 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin, Position A and Position B value
How much difference does a “D” mint mark make? At most grades, none at all. Circulated coins are still a dollar. Mint state pieces through MS65 top out around $7. Error coins are the exception — we’ll get to those below.
The best PCGS-certified Denver coins grade MS67. A Position B example at that level is valued at $300, but the PCGS doesn’t even list an estimate for Position A.
The NGC tells a different story. They’ve graded nine Denver Position A coins at MS69. One sold on eBay in 2022 for $239.
2008 S 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin, proof, deep cameo value
Over 3 million proofs were struck in San Francisco. That’s a lot of proofs. Look for the “S” mint mark on the edge.
Because these were made with specially prepared dies and planchets, they came out with sharp strikes and glossy, mirror-like surfaces. Collectors bought them, stored them carefully, and most survive in great shape today.
The supply keeps prices low across the board. A PR60 coin is worth face value. Even a perfect PR70 runs only about $30.
2008 P 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin, Position A and Position B, satin finish value
Don’t confuse these with regular business strikes. The Mint sold Special Mint Sets with a distinctive satin finish — smoother and silkier than a standard coin. They came from both Philadelphia and Denver with the usual mint marks.
Philadelphia produced 745,464 satin finish Van Buren dollars. Every one is worth more than face value, though not by much at lower grades. An SP60 runs about $3. An SP65 adds a couple more dollars.
The real split happens at SP69. Position A jumps to $300. Position B? Just $65. That’s a huge gap for the same coin with different edge orientation.
2008 D 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin, Position A and Position B, satin finish value
Denver also struck 745,464 satin finish coins. At all but the very highest grades, values match the Philadelphia coins dollar for dollar, regardless of position.
An SP60 is about $3. Values climb slowly to $12 at SP68. Nothing exciting there.
SP69 is where things get interesting. Position A coins are worth around $90. But flip that edge lettering to Position B, and you’re looking at roughly $575. I think that’s one of the best value surprises in the whole Presidential dollar series.
Also read: Top 10 Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollar Worth Money
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1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin error
(2008) 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren dollar coin, satin finish, missing edge lettering
This is the error worth cherrypicking for. Some satin finish Van Buren dollars completely skipped the Schuler edge lettering machine, leaving the edge totally plain. No date, no motto, no mint mark — nothing.
Since there’s no mint mark, you can’t tell if the coin came from Denver or Philadelphia. That mystery is part of the appeal for collectors.
Values scale with condition. An SP60 example is worth about $22. At SP65, you’re looking at $80. SP67 brings $250. The top-pop coins sit at SP68 — the PCGS has certified almost 50 at that grade, valued at $400 each.
You can see an example of a Martin Van Buren dollar with missing edge lettering in this YouTube video from Isaac G. Abarca.
2008 P 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren, Position A, weak edge lettering
Not every edge lettering problem was all-or-nothing. Some Philadelphia coins got a weak strike from the Schuler machine — you can see the lettering, but it’s mushy and incomplete. These are all Position A coins.
Values start around $20 at SP63. The finest known examples top out at SP66, where the PCGS puts them at about $200.
Where to Sell Your 1837 to 1841 Martin Van Buren 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)
FAQs
How much is a dollar coin from 1841 worth?
First, figure out which coin you actually have. An 1841 dollar features a seated Lady Liberty on the reverse and is silver-colored. If yours is gold-colored with the Statue of Liberty, it’s a modern Presidential dollar — the date just refers to the president’s term of office.
The presidency changed hands in 1841, so your coin could honor either Martin Van Buren or William Henry Harrison. Check the name above the portrait to be sure.
If you really do have an original 1841 dollar, it’s worth $300 or more. The finest known example, graded MS65+ by the PCGS, is currently valued at $125,000.
Is the Martin Van Buren dollar coin worth anything?
Most circulated examples are worth a dollar. Mint state coins at common grades rarely break $10.
But errors and top-pop specimens are a different story. The right coin in the right grade can bring several hundred dollars. Check your edges carefully — that’s where the money hides on these.
