2011-D James A. Garfield Dollar Value: Price & Rarity Guide

The 2011-D James Garfield Dollar is worth anywhere from its $1 face value in circulated condition to over $50 in high-grade uncirculated condition. While most of these golden-colored coins found in your change are only worth a dollar, certain pristine specimens and error coins can fetch much higher prices among avid collectors.

Condition	Estimated Value
Circulated (Spent in stores)	$1.00
Uncirculated (MS60-MS63)	$2.00 – $5.00
Choice Uncirculated (MS65+)	$10.00 – $45.00
Special Errors	$50.00+

History of the 2011-D James A. Garfield Presidential Dollar

The James A. Garfield dollar was released in 2011 as part of the United States Mint’s Presidential $1 Coin Program. This series, which began in 2007, was designed to honor each deceased U.S. President in the order they served. James A. Garfield was our 20th president, and his term was tragically short, lasting only a few months in 1881 before his assassination. To determine if you have a rare variety, you might consider using a top coin identifier and value app to scan your collection effortlessly.

By 2011, the U.S. Mint was facing a massive surplus of dollar coins because the American public preferred using paper $1 bills. As a result, the production numbers for the Garfield dollar were significantly lower than the first years of the program. The “D” mint mark on this specific coin indicates it was produced at the Denver Mint. Because these coins were eventually removed from general circulation and only sold in rolls and bags to collectors, finding a “D” mint Garfield in your pocket change is becoming increasingly rare.

If you aren’t sure whether your coin is from Denver or Philadelphia, check the edge of the coin. The year, mint mark, and the motto “E Pluribus Unum” are all incused on the rim. In terms of modern numismatics, identifying these edge inscriptions is vital for determining the 2011 Presidential dollar value information. Using an app like CoinKnow can help you magnify these tiny edge letters so you don’t miss any valuable details.

The “Golden” Appearance and Composition

Many people find these coins and mistakenly believe they are made of real gold. Unfortunately, there is no gold in a 2011-D Garfield dollar. Instead, the coin features a manganese-brass finish over a pure copper core. This gives it that distinctive golden shine when it is fresh from the mint. However, this copper-based alloy oxidizes quickly, which is why most Garfield dollars found in circulation today look brownish or dull.

The Denver Mint struck approximately 37.1 million of these coins. While that sounds like a lot, it is a fraction of the hundreds of millions produced for presidents like Washington or Adams. The lower mintage makes the 2011 series slightly more desirable for those trying to complete a full set. When evaluating the luster and strike quality, you can compare your find against the current market prices for 2011 dollar coins to see where yours fits.

If your coin is still incredibly shiny with no scratches, it is likely an “Uncirculated” specimen. Collectors pay a premium for “Mint State” (MS) coins that haven’t been touched by greasy fingers or jingled around in a cash register. For those new to the hobby, CoinKnow provides a high-resolution gallery to help you compare your coin’s condition to professional grades.

Determining Value: Circulated vs. Uncirculated

For the average person, the most important thing to know is that a circulated 2011-D Garfield dollar is generally worth exactly one dollar. Even though it is over a decade old, banks still distribute these, and they are not rare enough to command a high price in worn condition. However, the story changes if the coin is in perfect shape.

The value of the 2011-D Garfield coin jumps significantly once it reaches the “Gem Uncirculated” level, known as MS65 or higher. At this level, the coin must have its original mint luster and very few “bag marks” (the tiny nicks coins get when they hit each other during production). A coin graded MS67 by a service like PCGS or NGC can sell for $40 to $60, as collectors of the series compete for the highest quality examples for their registries.

Grade	Value (USD)
MS60 (Typical Uncirculated)	$2.10
MS63 (Select Uncirculated)	$4.50
MS65 (Gem Uncirculated)	$12.00
MS67 (Superb Gem)	$55.00

Valuable Errors to Look For

If you want to find a 2011-D Garfield dollar worth a hundred dollars or more, you need to look for errors. Because These coins have edge lettering added in a separate step of the manufacturing process, several things can go wrong. While most errors were caught by the mint, a few always slip through into the hands of the public.

The most famous Presidential dollar error is the “Missing Edge Lettering” error, where the rim of the coin is completely smooth. While this was very common in the 2007 Washington dollars (nicknamed “Godless Dollars” because they missed the “In God We Trust” on the edge), it is much rarer for the 2011 series. If you find a Garfield dollar with a smooth edge, it could be worth between $50 and $200 depending on its condition.

Another error to watch for is the “Double Edge Lettering” error. This happens when the coin goes through the lettering machine twice, resulting in overlapping text. Furthermore, you might find coins with unusual “planchet” clips, where a bite-sized piece of the coin is missing. If you think you’ve found an error, using CoinKnow to zoom in on the details can help confirm if the anomaly is a mint error or just “post-mint damage” from a vending machine.

How the Denver Mint Compared to Others in 2011

In 2011, there were three main versions of the Garfield dollar: the 2011-P (Philadelphia), the 2011-D (Denver), and the 2011-S (San Francisco). The San Francisco coins were struck as “Proofs,” which are extra-shiny coins made specifically for collectors. Proof coins usually have a mirror-like background and a frosted portrait, making them very easy to distinguish from the Denver coins found in circulation.

The 2011-D is generally considered slightly more common than the Philadelphia version, but the difference in mintage is negligible for the average collector. The value between a P and a D mint coin is usually identical unless you are dealing with the absolute highest possible grade.

Mint Mark	Location	Mintage
2011-P	Philadelphia	37,240,000
2011-D	Denver	37,100,000
2011-S	San Francisco (Proof)	1,673,010

Collecting Tips for Everyday Enthusiasts

If you just found a 2011-D James Garfield dollar, the best thing you can do is handle it by the edges. Even though these aren’t high-value gold coins, the oils from your skin can cause dark spots over time. If the coin looks brand new and shiny, place it in a cardboard 2×2 flip or a plastic coin capsule. This prevents “cabinet friction” and preserves its state for the future.

While you might not get rich from a single Garfield dollar, many people enjoy collecting the entire Presidential series. Because the government stopped producing these for circulation at the end of 2011, the later years (2012-2016) are even harder to find. Your 2011-D represents the end of an era when these coins were still somewhat common in banks. Keep an eye out for the other three presidents released in 2011: Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Rutherford B. Hayes.

FAQ

Q: Is the 2011-D Garfield dollar made of real gold?

A: No, the coin is made of a mixture of copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel. It has a “golden” color due to the manganese-brass coating, but it contains zero grams of gold.

Q: Where is the mint mark on the 2011 Garfield dollar?

A: The mint mark is not on the front or back of the coin. You must look at the edge (the rim). There, you will see the year and the letter “P” or “D.”

Q: Can I spend a 2011-D Garfield dollar at a store?

A: Yes, it is legal tender and worth exactly $1.00. However, some younger cashiers might not recognize it, as dollar coins are not used frequently in daily transactions.

Q: Why is my Garfield dollar turning brown?

A: This is called toning or oxidation. Because the coin is mostly copper, it reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air. This is normal for coins that have been circulated.

Q: How can I tell if my coin is worth more than a dollar?

A: Generally, it needs to be in perfect uncirculated condition or have a clear mint error (like missing edge lettering). Using a dedicated coin identifier app can help you spot these rare traits quickly.