2012-S Benjamin Harrison Dollar Value Guide: Is Your Coin Rare?

The 2012-S Benjamin Harrison Dollar is worth anywhere from $4 in circulated condition to over $50 in high-grade proof sets. While these modern golden coins aren’t made of real gold, their limited mintage as “niche” collector items makes them far more interesting than your average pocket change.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Market Value
PR 65 (Standard Proof)	$4.50 – $6.50
PR 69 (Near Perfect)	$12.00 – $18.00
PR 70 (Deep Cameo)	$45.00 – $85.00
Circulated / Impaired	$1.00 – $1.50

Understanding the 2012-S Benjamin Harrison Presidential Dollar

If you have found a 2012-S Benjamin Harrison Dollar, you are holding a piece of the Presidential $1 Coin Program that never actually entered general circulation. By 2011, the U.S. Mint noticed a massive surplus of dollar coins sitting in vaults, so they ceased production for everyday commerce.

Starting in 2012, coins like the Harrison Dollar were only produced for collectors in limited quantities. If you are unsure if your coin is a proof or a standard strike, using a top coin identifier and value app can help you distinguish the mirror-like finish of the “S” mint mark coins from the “P” or “D” versions.

The Benjamin Harrison coin honors the 23rd President of the United States. While the circulation-strike versions from Philadelphia and Denver are common, the “S” mint mark signifies it was struck at the San Francisco Mint specifically for inclusion in Proof Sets. Because these weren’t spent at grocery stores, finding one in your pocket is quite rare and usually means someone broke open a collector set.

Identifying the “S” Mint Mark and Proof Quality

The “S” mint mark on your 2012 Benjamin Harrison Dollar is located on the edge of the coin, not the face. This is a unique feature of the Presidential Dollar series known as “edge-incused lettering.” Along the rim, you will find the year, the mint mark, and the motto “E Pluribus Unum.”

A proof coin, denoted by the “S,” is struck using polished dies and planchets, resulting in a mirror-like background and frosted foreground. If your coin looks exceptionally shiny or reflective, it is likely a proof. Most casual collectors use CoinKnow to zoom in on these edge markings to ensure they aren’t looking at a common Denver strike.

The value of these coins is heavily dependent on their preservation. Because they were never meant to circulate, any scratches, fingerprints, or wear drastically reduce the price. Collectors look for “Deep Cameo” designations, where the contrast between the frosted portrait of Harrison and the shiny field is striking and flaw-free.

Detailed Price Guide for 2012-S Harrison Dollars

When looking at the current market data for 2012 dollar coins, we see a clear trend: condition is everything. A standard 2012-S proof coin that has been handled may only fetch a few dollars, but a professionally graded PR70 (the highest possible grade) can command a premium.

Grade Designation	Average Auction Price	Rarity Factor
Proof-67	$7.00	Common
Proof-69 DCAM	$15.00	Scarce
Proof-70 DCAM	$55.00+	Very Rare

These prices reflect coins that have been authenticated by services like PCGS or NGC. If your coin is “raw” (ungraded), it typically sells for the lower end of the spectrum. You can check the Benjamin Harrison dollar value and rarity levels on mobile databases to see how it compares to other 2012 releases like the Sacagawea or other Presidential issues.

Why the 2012 San Francisco Mintings are Unique

In 2012, the U.S. Mint produced the Harrison Dollar as part of the four-coin annual release, which also included Chester A. Arthur, Grover Cleveland (1st term), and Grover Cleveland (2nd term). Because the San Francisco Mint only produced proof versions for sets, the mintage numbers are significantly lower than the millions produced in previous years.

For example, while 2007 dollars saw mintages in the hundreds of millions, the 2012-S proofs were limited to the number of sets ordered by collectors. This artificial scarcity protects the 2012-S Benjamin Harrison Dollar value from dropping to face value.

If you find one in a “mint set” or “proof set” lens, it is best to keep it there. Once the plastic is cracked open and the coin is touched, the oils from your skin can cause “milk spots” or oxidation, which lowers the grade. CoinKnow users often report that keeping coins in their original government packaging is the best way to maintain long-term investment value.

Common Errors and Varieties to Look For

While the 2012-S Benjamin Harrison Dollar doesn’t have many famous “major” errors, collectors always keep an eye out for minor deviations. Edge lettering errors are the most common in this series, such as doubled lettering or missing mottos. However, because proof coins are struck twice and inspected closely, errors are much rarer on the “S” mint mark coins than on “P” or “D” coins.

Double die obverse (DDO) errors, where the lettering on the face of the coin appears doubled, are highly sought after. If you notice any blurriness or thickness in the letters of “Benjamin Harrison” or “23rd President,” you might have a valuable variety.

To check for these, use a 10x jeweler’s loupe or a high-resolution scanning app. Many people find that CoinKnow helps identify the subtle differences between a machine-doubled coin (worth nothing extra) and a true doubled die error (worth a significant premium).

Error Type	Visual Cue	Potential Value
Missing Edge Lettering	Smooth Rim	$50 – $100
Double Strike	Ghosted images	$100+

How to Sell Your 2012-S Benjamin Harrison Dollar

If you’ve determined that your coin is a high-grade proof, you have a few options for selling. For coins valued under $20, eBay is the most popular platform. You can list them as “Buy It Now” based on recent sold listings.

For coins that appear to be in perfect PR70 condition, it may be worth getting them professionally graded. A 2012-S Harrison Dollar in a PCGS PR70 Deep Cameo holder is a centerpiece for many Presidential Dollar enthusiasts and can be sold at specialty coin auctions.

Always remember to research recent “sold” prices rather than “asking” prices. Anyone can ask for $500 for a common coin, but it only matters what buyers are actually paying. Keeping an eye on gold-colored dollar trends will help you time your sale for when collector interest peaks.

FAQ

Q: Is the Benjamin Harrison dollar made of real gold?

A: No, the 2012-S Harrison Dollar is composed of a copper core with a manganese brass cladding. This gives it the “golden” color, but it contains zero actual gold.

Q: Why is there lettering on the edge of the coin?

A: The U.S. Mint moved the date, mint mark, and mottos to the edge to allow for larger, more detailed portraits on the obverse and a larger Statue of Liberty on the reverse.

Q: Can I spend a 2012-S Benjamin Harrison Dollar at a store?

A: Yes, it is legal tender worth $1. However, since it is a collector’s proof coin worth at least $4 to $5, spending it would be a waste of its extra numismatic value.

Q: How many 2012-S Harrison Dollars were minted?

A: The San Francisco Mint produced approximately 1.4 million proof copies for the various collector sets released that year.

Q: What is the “Deep Cameo” designation?

A: DCAM or Deep Cameo refers to proof coins that have a strong contrast between highly frosted features and deeply mirrored backgrounds, a sign of a very high-quality strike.