Coins of Valor: The Zachary Taylor One Dollar Coin

How many coins we will have to study... There are a lot of them: ancient, unique, foreign, expensive. The list of them can be endless.

Today we will talk about the Zachary Taylor dollar. What is it? How much is a Zachary Taylor $1 coin worth? And who is this man anyway?

A Few Words from History

Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States (March 1849 - July 1850). He was born on November 24, 1784, in Barboursville, Virginia. His father, Richard Taylor, was a lieutenant colonel in the American Revolutionary War.

Taylor had a long career in the U.S. Army, beginning in 1808. He fought in the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War and the Second Seminole War. He also gained national fame as a military leader during the Mexican-American War.

Taylor is often remembered more for his military achievements than his brief tenure as president: the piece is often called a Zachary Taylor dollar coin 1849-1850.

Related article: The 1907 Saint Gaudens and the 1933 Pieces. 

One Dollar Coin with Zachary Taylor Portrait

It is part of the Presidential $1 Program. This program was designed to honor each of the U.S. Presidents by issuing numismatic metal pieces with their images. 

The program began in 2007 and was intended to produce coins featuring every deceased U.S. President in the order they served.

Obverse (Front): Features a portrait of the 12th President of the United States. The inscriptions include his name, "Zachary Taylor," "In God We Trust," "12th President" and the years of his presidency, "1849-1850."

Reverse (Back): Depicts the Statue of Liberty, which is consistent across all specimens in the Presidential $1 Program. The inscriptions include "United States of America" and the denomination "$1."

Edge Lettering: Includes the inscriptions "E Pluribus Unum," the mint mark and the year of issuance. This edge lettering is a distinctive feature of the Presidential coins.

Composition: It is made of a manganese-brass alloy, consisting of 77% copper, 12% zinc, 1% other. Although some numismatists google “Zachary Taylor gold coin,” this is not right, as it is not made out of gold. 

What Is It Worth?

The Zachary Taylor $1 coin value depends on its condition, rarity and whether it is a regular circulation specimen or a special collector's edition. Here's a general breakdown of PCGS grading differences:

Circulated: The face Zachary Taylor 1 dollar coin value is $1. These ones were intended for everyday use and are typically worth their face value if they have been circulated.

Uncirculated: How much is a Zachary Taylor dollar coin worth among collectors? Uncirculated ones, which have never been used in circulation, can be worth slightly more than their face value ($1.50 - $3.00).

Proof: These are specially minted specimens for collectors that have a mirror-like finish. These are often between $3.00 and $5.00 or more.

Mint Marks: Pieces from different mints (e.g., "P" for Philadelphia, "D" for Denver, "S" for San Francisco) can have varying values. For example, specimens with an "S" mint mark are typically proofs and are more valuable to collectors.

2009 Zachary Taylor Dollar Coin Value Breakdown 

Factors Affecting Value

Condition: Those in better condition (e.g., uncirculated or proof condition) are worth more than those that have been heavily circulated.

Mint Mark: The mint mark can influence the Zachary Taylor dollar coin 1849 to 1850 value. Proof ones from the San Francisco Mint, for example, tend to be more valuable.

Rarity: Although these ones are not particularly rare, certain Zachary Taylor dollar coin error pieces or those from special sets can have higher values.

As of now, the typical market value for an uncirculated or proof piece is modest, reflecting its relatively recent issuance and ample availability.

Note: If you have a numismatic piece and want an accurate valuation, consider taking it to a professional dealer or grading service. They can provide a detailed assessment of the Taylor 1849 1850 Zachary Taylor coin value and give you an idea of its market place. You can also read different numismatic guides, e.g., the Cherrypickers' Guide book. 

Just a Beginning

It was just one specimen from our or yours, as you prefer, collection. There are even more stories, specifications and interesting facts ahead. And if you want to have a handy tool for automatically identifying coins just by a photo, try Coin ID Scanner.

With this coin lookup by picture​, you will have access to a database of more than 150,000 numismatic pieces, you will be able to manage your collection yourself, and you will also be able to ask for help from an AI assistant that will answer all your questions at any time. What are you waiting for? Try it now and enjoy the world of numismatics. 

Sources:

1. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/2009-d-1-zachary-taylor-position/

2. https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces