2016-P R.M. Nixon Dollar Coin Value: Worth Money?
The 2016-P R.M. Nixon Dollar is worth anywhere from $1.25 in circulated condition to over $50 in high-grade uncirculated condition. Part of the Presidential $1 Coin Program, this coin honors the 37th President of the United States and remains a popular find for casual collectors and history enthusiasts alike.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Pocket Change) | $1.00 – $1.25 |
| Uncirculated (MS63) | $3.00 – $5.00 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS65) | $10.00 – $18.00 |
| Gem Uncirculated (MS67+) | $45.00+ |
History of the 2016-P Richard M. Nixon Presidential Dollar
If you just found a golden-colored coin featuring the face of Richard Nixon, you are holding a piece of the Presidential $1 Coin Program. These coins were first released in 2007, but by the time Nixon’s turn came around in 2016, the United States Mint had stopped producing these dollars for general circulation. Because of low public demand, the Treasury Department decided that starting in 2012, these coins would only be minted for collectors.
This means that any 2016-P Nixon dollar you find likely came from a dedicated collector set or a roll purchased directly from the Mint. To figure out exactly what you have, many people use a top coin identifier and value app to scan the surface and detect specific minting details. Unlike the older silver dollars, these are composed of a copper core with a manganese brass cladding, which gives them that distinct “gold” shine.
Because they were not released through banks for everyday spending, they are inherently scarcer than the early 2007 Washington or 2008 Adams dollars. When you use CoinKnow, you might notice that the population numbers for these later-date presidential dollars are significantly lower, which makes them a fun target for modern hobbyists.
Analyzing the 2016-P Nixon Dollar Mint Mark and Design
The “P” on your Nixon dollar stands for the Philadelphia Mint. On most modern coins, you look for the mint mark on the front (obverse) or back (reverse), but the Presidential series is different. You have to look at the edge of the coin! The year “2016,” the mint mark “P,” and the motto “E Pluribus Unum” are all incused on the rim.
The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Richard M. Nixon, his name, the years he served (1969-1974), and the phrase “37th President.” The reverse features a stunning rendition of the Statue of Liberty, designed by Don Everhart. This design is consistent across the entire series.
If you are trying to determine if your coin is a “Position A” or “Position B” variety—which refers to the orientation of the edge lettering relative to the portrait—consulting a resource for accurate pricing based on lettering orientation can be very helpful. Knowing these nuances is what separates a casual finder from a serious collector.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Edge Lettering | 2016 P, E Pluribus Unum, 13 Stars |
| Composition | 88.5% Copper, 6% Zinc, 3.5% Manganese, 2% Nickel |
| Weight | 8.10 Grams |
| Diameter | 26.5 mm |
How Grading Affects the Nixon Dollar Value
In the world of coin collecting, the “grade” is everything. Most 2016-P Nixon dollars found in the wild are in “About Uncirculated” or “Mint State” condition because they were never dumped into heavy circulation. However, even small scratches from being stored in a jar can drop the value from $10 down to just $1.
Professional graders use a 70-point scale. A coin graded MS63 is a basic uncirculated coin with some visible marks. A coin graded MS67 is nearly perfect and can command a premium price. If you think your coin looks absolutely flawless, it might be worth checking comprehensive 2016 dollar value listings to see the most recent auction sales.
The CoinKnow app is particularly useful here, as it can help you identify if your coin has “bag marks,” which are tiny nicks caused by coins hitting each other at the mint. For the 2016-P Nixon, the difference between an MS66 and an MS67 can be a jump of $30 or more.
The Rarity of the 2016-P Mintages
By 2016, the mintage numbers for Presidential Dollars had plummeted compared to the hundreds of millions produced in earlier years. For the 2016-P Richard Nixon dollar, the Philadelphia Mint produced only about 4,480,000 coins.
While four million sounds like a lot, it is quite small in the world of US coinage. For comparison, the 2007 George Washington dollar had over 176 million minted in Philadelphia alone. This relative scarcity is why the 2016 coins are generally worth more than their face value of one dollar.
Collecting a full set of these later-year “Not Intended For Circulation” (NIFC) dollars is a popular goal. If you are missing this one, you’ll likely have to pay a premium to a dealer rather than finding it at a bank. Because demand outstrips the supply found in change, keeping yours in a protective flip is a smart move.
| Mintage Comparison | Mintage Total |
|---|---|
| 2007-P Washington | 176,680,000 |
| 2016-P Nixon | 4,480,000 |
| 2016-D Nixon | 5,460,000 |
Error Varieties to Watch For
While no “major” famous errors exist specifically for the Nixon dollar like the “Cheerios Dollar,” collectors always hunt for edge lettering errors. Sometimes the coins skip the edge-incusing machine, resulting in a “Smooth Edge” error.
Other errors to look for include “Doubled Edge Lettering,” where the coin goes through the machine twice, or “Inverted Edge Lettering.” However, in the Presidential series, the Mint has stated that edge lettering can appear in either direction (Position A or B), so an upside-down edge is not technically an error, though some collectors still pay a small premium for specific orientations.
To help identify potential errors, you can use CoinKnow to compare your coin against high-resolution photos of known errors. Discovering a genuine “Missing Edge Lettering” error on a 2016-P Nixon dollar could potentially increase its value to over $100, though such finds are extremely rare for this specific year.
Where to Sell Your 2016-P Nixon Dollar
If you’ve determined that your coin is in top-tier condition or features a unique error, you might want to sell it. For common uncirculated versions, platforms like eBay are the most popular choice. You can list them as individual “Buy It Now” items for $3-$8.
For higher-grade coins (MS66 or higher), you might consider having them professionally graded by PCGS or NGC, though the cost of grading often exceeds the value of the coin unless it is a perfect MS67 or MS68. Most everyday Americans are better off keeping these as a fun historical memento or selling them as part of a complete 2016 Presidential set, which includes Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan.
Ultimately, the value of the 2016-P Nixon dollar is found in its scarcity compared to earlier years. While it won’t buy you a new house, finding one in your change is like finding a five-dollar bill instead of a one-dollar bill—it’s a nice little bonus!
FAQ
Q: Is the 2016 Richard Nixon dollar made of real gold?
A: No, the coin does not contain any gold. It is made of a copper core with a manganese-brass coating, which gives it a golden color. This is why they are often called “Golden Dollars,” even though they are primarily made of base metals.
Q: Why is the year not on the front of my Nixon dollar?
A: The Presidential Dollar series features “Edge Lettering.” If you look at the thin rim or edge of the coin, you will see the year 2016, the mint mark (P, D, or S), and the motto “E Pluribus Unum” stamped into the metal.
Q: Can I spend a 2016-P Nixon dollar at a store?
A: Yes, it is legal tender for one dollar. However, because these were not produced for general circulation and have a low mintage, they are generally worth more than a dollar to collectors. It is usually better to save it or sell it to a coin shop.
Q: How many Nixon dollars were made in 2016?
A: The Philadelphia Mint (P) produced 4.48 million, and the Denver Mint (D) produced 5.46 million. While this sounds like a lot, it is very low compared to the hundreds of millions of quarters or pennies produced each year.
