Dollars That Talk: The John Tyler 1 Dollar Coin

When you hold a coin in your hands, you might not always think about the history behind it. However, some instances display the moments, events, and figures they honor, turning into meaningful artifacts rather than plain items of regular use. The Presidential Coin Program is a fine example of relics that shout out the US leaders of the past.

Each representative of the series is unique and captivating. Nevertheless, today’s focus is to be targeted at the John Tyler $1 coin, released to honor the 10th President of the United States. Let us together explore the background of this instance, investigate its distinctive properties, and check the coin value as of March 2025.  

Who Was John Tyler? 

Here is a quick historical reference. John Tyler was the 10th President of the United States, who took charge during an extraordinary crisis. Tyler was born in 1790 and initially served as Vice President under William Henry Harrison. However, when Harrison died just one month into his presidency in 1841, Tyler became the first vice president to take the office of the president due to a vacancy. 

Moreover, Tyler was known for his fierce support of states' rights and pro-slavery position, which caused numerous challenges throughout his presidency, including conflicts with Congress and growing tension leading to the Civil War. Anyway, his triumphs included the annexation of Texas and other "deals" that had long-term consequences for the whole nation. 

Overview of the Presidential $1 Coin Program

The Presidential $1 Coin Program was a commemorative series initiated by the United States Mint in 2007 to honor the legacy and contributions of former US presidents. Each year, the US Mint released 4 new issues in the order in which the presidents served. 

Each coin in the series bears a portrait of the president on the obverse side and the iconic Statue of Liberty on the reverse. What is unique about these instances is the edge lettering, i.e., inscriptions on the end indicating the year of minting, the mint mark, and the motto "E Pluribus Unum". However, because of poor circulation, the majority of these coins were struck only for collectors rather than for general use.

As for the John Tyler one dollar coin, it was produced in 2009 to commemorate the legacy (be it of negative or positive connotation) of the 10th President of the United States. The program officially ended in 2016 with the depiction of George H. W. Bush. Indeed, this may be seen as a significant artifact that attracts collectors from all over the world. 

Here is about John Adams dollar coins which is also a part of this program.

Design and Features of the John Tyler Dollar Coin

What does the 2009 John Tyler dollar coin look like? The obverse of this iteration depicts a detailed portrait of the 10th President of the United States, designed by Phebe Hemphill, an American sculptor who works for the US Mint. Besides, each sample features inscriptions  "JOHN TYLER" at the top, "IN GOD WE TRUST", and "10th PRESIDENT 1841-1845" surrounding the profile.

The reverse side, created by Don Everhart, i.e., an American coin and medal engraver-medalist, presents an impressive depiction of the Statue of Liberty with the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" above and "$1" below (closer to the center). This is common to all coins of the series that intricately highlight the nation’s enduring values and heritage.

In contrast to regular US coins, the John Tyler dollars bear inscriptions on its edge. Quite amusing to see it in person! The edge carries the classic phrase "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (i.e., "Out of many, one"), the year of minting ("2009"), and the mint mark.

*This includes both Position A and Position B coins, i.e., variations based on the orientation of the edge lettering in relation to the obverse side.

Interesting Facts About the John Tyler Coin

Presidential dollars were not extensively distributed. However, they did become popular among collectors, particularly those attempting to complete whole sets of the series. As a rule, they are looking for high-grade examples (MS67 or higher) certified by PCGS or NGC, proof versions, and edge lettering varieties.

Besides, this type of dollar was released in several special US Mint products, namely:

• Presidential Dollar Proof Set (which features all four 2009 Presidential dollars in proof finish).

• Presidential Dollar Uncirculated Coin Set (which includes high-quality samples)

• Presidential $1 Coin and First Spouse Medal Set (which includes a bronze medal depicting the spouse)

• Official US Mint Rolls (which contains 25 coins from either Philadelphia or Denver).

How Much is a John Tyler Dollar  Coin Worth?

The John Tyler dollar coin value is as diverse as possible, with the lowest grades commanding $1 at their best. Nonetheless, the worth heavily depends on its condition, mint mark, and strike type, too. For instance, uncirculated and special edition coins may be sold for higher prices: 

• Circulated coins: Typically worth $1–$2.

• Uncirculated coins (MS60–MS66): Can sell for $3–$25.

• High-grade coins (MS67+): May reach $1,000.

By the way, auction records may be surprising to investigate, for they reveal how unpredictable the John Tyler dollar coin worth can be. Take a look at what collectors have been ready to pay (and they did it) recently.

If you wish to learn more about coins of the same series, it might be reasonable to appeal to reputable resources like Coin ID Scanner or PCGS CoinFacts. The first is the app that allows users to quickly identify coins, e.g., 1881 Morgan silver dollars, via a smartphone camera, store collectibles in the digital space, find information about interesting instances, and detect errors if they are present. 

So, do not be afraid of exploring coins! Keep yourself equipped, and let your collection flourish. 

Sources: 

1. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/dollars/presidential-dollars/john-tyler-2009/5896 

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