8 Rare John Adams Dollar Error Coins
Posted onCollectors who appreciate the rich history of the United States highly value presidential coins for their meticulous craftsmanship and stories they tell about the nation’s leaders. To add depth to their presidential coin collections, enthusiasts often go beyond the standard issues. They seek out interesting varieties and errors of coins featuring their favorite leaders. Among the most sought-after presidential coins are those featuring the two Adams presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams. This piece will discuss rare John Adams dollar coin value, highlighting:
- Riveting facts about the Adams presidents.
- Notable John Adams dollar coins errors.
- Where to buy rare John Adams dollars online.
Watch a presidential coin collector show off his rare pieces in this amazing video:
Two presidents that John Adams coins are devoted to
Born in 1735 in Massachusetts, John Adams was a lawyer and political philosopher who played a pivotal role in shaping the United States. After graduating from Harvard College in 1755, Adams began a successful legal career, which eventually led him to become a delegate to the Continental Congress. There, he advocated for independence and played a crucial role in drafting the Declaration of Independence.
In 1777, Adams left the Continental Congress to serve as a diplomat in Europe. During his time abroad, he honed skills that would prove to be instrumental in negotiating the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War and secured the United States’ independence from Great Britain.
Adams’ extensive experience in law, politics, and diplomacy prepared him for his role as the second president of the United States. In 1796, he was elected to succeed George Washington and served from 1797 to 1801. Adams’ tenure was marked by navigating political turbulence and external threats, such as the Quasi-War with France.
Committed to peace, Adams chose to pursue diplomatic negotiations rather than full-scale conflict, despite considerable pressure from his party and the public. While this affected his popularity at the time, today he is remembered for his integrity, strong principles, and dedication to the nation, as is evidenced by the fact he is commemorated on the 2nd president U.S.A John Adams coin.
John Adams’ legacy extended through his son, John Quincy Adams, who would follow in his father’s footsteps to become the sixth president of the United States. Like his father, Quincy Adams studied at Harvard College and established a distinguished diplomatic career in Europe before serving as Secretary of State.
During his presidency from 1825 to 1829, Quincy Adams focused on modernizing the American economy, promoting education, and improving infrastructure. He also maintained a strong stance against slavery and, later, as a member of the House of Representatives, successfully argued for the freedom of illegally captured Africans before the Supreme Court in the Amistad case. His dedication to public service and reform mirrored his father’s legacy, further shaping the young nation.
Both Adams presidents left lasting legacies of service, integrity, and dedication to the United States. Honoring them through the Presidential $1 Coin Program celebrates their significant contributions and ensures their impact on American history is remembered. The John Adams $1 coin was released in May 2007, followed by the John Quincy Adams coin in June 2008.
Noteworthy John Adams dollar coin errors
John Adams coins offer a tangible connection to a pivotal figure in American history. These pieces are must-haves for enthusiasts of presidential numismatics, who are seeking the maximum John Adams commemorative coin value to enrich their collections with both historical and monetary significance.
1. $1 John Adams presidential coin (Position A)
As the second coin released in the Presidential Dollar Series, this John Adams dollar holds a significant place in the collections of presidential coin enthusiasts. Designed by Joel Iskowitz and Don Everhart and minted in Philadelphia, it showcases a portrait of John Adams on the obverse and a striking rendition of the Statue of Liberty on the reverse.
Notably, being a Position A coin, its edge lettering appears upside-down when the President’s portrait faces up. With limited availability in high grades, this John Adams coin value appreciates significantly, underscoring its desirability among collectors.
2007-P $1 John Adams Position A
- Metal: Copper
- Year: 2007
Photo by PCGS
2. $1 John Adams presidential dollar (Position B – First Day of Issue)
This $1 John Adams Position B coin is highly coveted among John Adams dollar coins due to its Position B designation and status as a “First Day of Issue” coin. Unlike Position A coins where the edge lettering is upright when the President’s portrait faces up, Position B coins have the edge lettering inverted in relation to the portrait. Additionally, being a “First Day of Issue” coin means it was among the first batch of coins released to the public on the day of its issue, adding historical significance and rarity.
2007-P $1 John Adams Position B – First Day of Issue
- Metal: Copper
- Year: 2007
Photo by PCGS
3. $1 Doubled Edge Lettering John Adams 2nd president coin
The best answer to the question “Are John Adams coins worth anything?” lies in unique specimens like this notable error coin. This Doubled Edge Lettering John Adams dollar is prized by collectors for its unique characteristics. Unlike standard issues which have inscriptions on the edge only once, this particular piece features doubled or overlapped edge lettering, a semi-minor error that adds a fascinating dimension to it.
2007-P $1 Doubled Edge Lettering Overlap John Adams
- Metal: Copper
- Year: 2007
Photo by PCGS
4. $1 Missing Edge Lettering John Adams president coin
The $1 Missing Edge Lettering John Adams coin is a rare gem among presidential dollars. What sets it apart is its unique error: the absence of edge lettering, which typically features the coin’s date, mint mark, and motto. This error occurs during the minting process when a coin fails to pass through the edge lettering machine properly, resulting in a blank edge.
Remarkably, it is only the second coin found in the presidential series with this error, contributing to its significant rare John Adams 1797 to 1801 coin value. Compared to its predecessor, the Missing Edge Washington dollar, the Missing Edge Lettering John Adams coin is scarcer, making it a desirable choice for numismatists.
$1 Missing Edge Lettering John Adams
- Metal: Copper
- Year: 2007
Photo by PCGS
5. Weak Edge Lettering dollar coin with John Adams
With its multitude of distinctive attributes, this John Adams coin serves as a great answer to the question “Is the John Adams dollar coin rare?” A remarkable specimen, this coin is primarily coveted for its weak edge lettering error, characterized by faintly struck inscriptions along the coin’s edge. This distinctive feature, coupled with its Position B designation and status as a “First Day of Issue” release, contributes to its rarity and desirability among collectors.
$1 Weak Edge Lettering Adams – Position B – First Day of Issue
- Metal: Copper
- Year: 2007
Photo by PCGS
6. 2008 Missing Edge Lettering Quincy Adams dollar coin
Continuing the tradition of commemorating American presidents, the U.S. Mint honored John Quincy Adams with a dollar coin in 2008. While standard issues of Quincy Adams coins are appreciated by collectors, the real treasure lies in error coins like this Missing Edge Lettering John Quincy Adams error coin. Holding even greater value due to its omission of edge lettering, this unique piece stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of rare US error coins and numismatic anomalies.
$1 Missing Edge Lettering John Quincy Adams
- Metal: Copper
- Year: 2008
Photo by PCGS
7. 2008 Weak Edge Lettering Quincy Adams dollar coin
Another error coin that provides a compelling response to the question “How rare is a John Adams dollar coin?” is this Weak Edge Lettering $1 John Quincy Adams. Not only does its weak edge lettering error set it apart, but its Position B designation, denoting the portrait’s specific orientation on the coin, further enhances its uniqueness. These distinctive characteristics make it an outstanding addition to any numismatic collection.
$1 Weak Edge Lettering John Quincy Adams, Pos. B
- Metal: Copper
- Year: 2008
Photo by PCGS
8. John Adams silver dollar medal
Collectors of John Adams coins may expand their collections beyond the Presidential Dollar Series to include other notable pieces, such as this John Adams Silver Medal issued by the US Mint. While the Presidential Dollar Series honors Adams’ presidency, this silver medal was released to commemorate his broader contributions to American history. Crafted in 99.9% fine silver, this medal offers collectors a unique opportunity to own a piece of history while diversifying their numismatic collections with a high-quality item. While there may not be a gold John Adams coin available yet, acquiring this silver medal can still enrich a collector’s portfolio.
Coin name
- Metal: Silver
- Year: 2018
Photo by United States Mint
To browse through valuable silver coins beyond John Adams dollars, click here.
FAQ about the John Adams dollar coins
Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about John Adams dollars.
What coin is John Adams on?
The Adams presidents are featured on coins from the Presidential $1 Coin Program, which began in 2007.
When was the John Adams dollar coin made?
The John Adams dollar was minted in 2007, while the John Quincy Adams coin was released by the US Mint in 2008.
Where is the mint mark on a John Quincy Adams dollar coin?
The mint mark on Adams dollar coins, like other Presidential dollar coins, is located on the edge of the coin.
How much is a John Adams dollar coin worth?
The value of a John Adams dollar coin depends on various factors such as its condition, rarity, and collector demand. In circulated condition, it is typically worth its face value of $1. However, rare versions like the ones discussed in this article have a higher value.
Is John Adams on a dollar bill?
No, John Adams is not featured on any current U.S. dollar bill.
What dollar bill is John Adams on?
John Adams is not on any U.S. paper currency.
Treasured for their historical significance, presidential coins are beloved by numismatists worldwide. Notably, John Adams coins boast unique variations and errors, making them highly sought-after additions to any collection. To acquire these rarities, trust Blanchard‘s exceptional curation of numismatic treasures. Blanchard’s expert team is always on hand to address all inquiries regarding presidential dollar coins, John Adams coins and beyond.
Want to read more? Subscribe to the Blanchard Newsletter and get our tales from the vault, our favorite stories from around the world and the latest tangible assets news delivered to your inbox weekly.
