The James Madison $1 Coin Overview: Details, Errors & Worth

There is a long-lasting tradition in the US to pay tribute to those who shaped American history and led to the prosperity of the whole country. Although one may notice different channels of commemoration, coins may combine both the artistic intent and the omnipresent nature of their use. A great example is the James Madison 1 dollar coin, issued in 2007.

Collectors may find this instance particularly interesting and peculiar. But why? What was the history of its creation? Which features identify this coin as unique, and how much would it cost in 2025? 

God Bless the President! A Quick Summary of the Presidential $1 Coin Program

The Presidential $1 Coin Program, which the James Madison one dollar coin and a John Tyler dollar coin are parts of, was launched in 2007 in order to honor the presidents who made the United States a thriving place. In fact, this program was modeled after the already popular State Quarters Program but focused on former US presidents instead (this can be easily inferred from the name of the program). 

The series followed the chronological order of presidential reign, starting with George Washington and ending with Ronald Reagan, and presupposed four coins for each mintage year. 

Every instance in the series featured a unique obverse design with the name of the president, his portrait, term in office, and sequential order (e.g., "4th PRESIDENT"). The reverse, on its part, remained consistent and displayed the beloved  Statue of Liberty, i.e., a representation of American freedom and democracy. By the way, the edge lettering may be considered one of the most unique features (along with mint marks, errors, and designations, when applicable).

Nevertheless, because of a lack of public demand, these were not extensively circulated and, hence, utilized. As for collectors, their attitude may not correspond with what the general public sees, which is why the James Madison $1 coins are popular and even sought-after. 

The Main Details Regarding the James Madison Dollar Coin

The unique design of today's issue logically pays tribute to the fourth president of the United States. As mentioned before, it was released under the Presidential Dollar Coin Program in 2008, the initiative that may boast distinctive structural and artistic features, as well as value going far beyond its financial benefits. 

Obverse

The obverse of the coin demonstrates a detailed profile of James Madison by Joel Iskowitz and Don Everhart. The design is quite simple, as the portrait is only surrounded by the inscriptions "JAMES MADISON" along the top edge and "4TH PRESIDENT 1809–1817" by the bottom rim. 

Reverse

On the reverse, one may see the Statue of Liberty, which is a characteristic shared by all Presidential Dollars. This side also represents the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" encircling the top part and the denomination "$1" closer to the center.

Edge Lettering

Unlike traditional US coins, the hero of the article demonstrates inscription on its edge, i.e., a unique, exclusive trait of the series. These inscriptions include the year of minting (i.e., 2007), the mint mark ("P" for Philadelphia, "D" for Denver, and “S” for San Francisco), and the national motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM".

Notable Errors on the James Madison Coin

No coin has been immune to errors. This is a casual occurrence since consistent production can sometimes experience failure of major or minor severity. In general, these flaws impact the edge lettering, though this is not the only type of imperfection that may boost the James Madison 1809 to 1817 coin worth for good. Anyway, the most prominent errors on the 1 dollar coin James Madison are as follows:

• Doubled Edge Lettering Inverted (i.e., the edge lettering is stamped twice, sometimes in an inverted position).

• Missing Edge Lettering (i.e., the coin is completely missing the edge inscription).

• Overlap, Double, or Partial Lettering (i.e., the edge lettering is misplaced or partially repeated with the letters looking stacked or incomplete).

• Reverse Struck Through (i.e., a weak or missing design on the reverse (Statue of Liberty side). 

• Weak Edge Lettering (the edge lettering may appear faint or partially missing).

An interesting fact! Although most modern US coins minted in Philadelphia lack a mint mark, the Presidential Dollar coins feature a visible "P" mint mark on the edge. For more facts and figures, we recommend that you go to the Coin ID Scanner app, an innovative tool for numismatic exploration, quick identification, and collection management. 

2007 James Madison Dollar Coin Value Revealed (Auction Records Included)

The value is not always about money, but the significance and emotions you get. The 2007 James Madison $1 coin is a common collectible in its standard form, but the value may differ based on condition, mint mark, and strike type. To be more precise, circulated coins are typically worth only their face value (i.e., $1); uncirculated and high-grade instances, particularly those with distinctive finishes or rare errors, may be sold for higher prices (up to $100 or more).

*Note: Position A and Position B refer to the orientation of the edge lettering on the coin. In Position A, the edge lettering appears upside down when the coin is placed obverse side up. In contrast, Position B means that the edge lettering is right side up when the coin is placed obverse side up.

Related article: 1881 Morgan Silver Dollar.

The Presidential Series is a treasure among other coins. Collectors strive to obtain its instances, though it might seem unnecessary or easy. But should you be lucky to own one, check its grade and strike type, as a presumably ordinary coin could be worth much more than its face value!

Sources: 

1. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/dollars/presidential-dollars/james-madison-2007/5938 

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_dollar_coins