2012-D B. Harrison Dollar Coin Value: Price & Rarity Guide
The 2012-D Benjamin Harrison Presidential Dollar is worth anywhere from $1.25 in circulated condition to over $45 in high-grade uncirculated condition. While most of these coins were not released into general circulation for daily use, many everyday Americans find them in inherited collections or “Mint Sewn Bags” and wonder if they have hit a jackpot.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average) | $1.05 – $1.50 |
| Uncirculated (MS-63) | $2.50 – $4.00 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS-65) | $8.00 – $12.00 |
| Gem Uncirculated (MS-67+) | $35.00 – $60.00+ |
The History and Significance of the 2012 Benjamin Harrison Dollar
If you just checked your pocket change and saw the face of the 23rd President, you might be holding a piece of modern numismatic history. By 2012, the U.S. Mint had encountered a problem: billions of dollar coins were sitting in Federal Reserve vaults because the public preferred paper bills. Consequently, the Treasury Department announced that Presidential Dollars would no longer be minted for general circulation.
This means that the 2012-D Benjamin Harrison dollar was only produced for collectors, sold at a premium directly from the Mint. If you are unsure about a coin you just found, using a free coin identifier app can help you confirm if you have the Denver (D) or Philadelphia (P) mint mark.
Because these were “Not Intended For Circulation” (NIFC), they are naturally scarcer than the Presidential dollars from 2007 to 2011. However, scarcity in the coin world is relative. While fewer were made, thousands of collectors bought them in rolls and bags, keeping the supply of high-grade coins healthy. If you’re trying to determine the specific grade of your coin, CoinKnow is an excellent mobile resource for visual grading comparisons.
Grading and 2012-D Benjamin Harrison Dollar Value
To understand what your coin is worth, you must look at its “Grade.” Most 2012-D Harrison dollars found in the wild will be in About Uncirculated (AU) or lower-end Mint State (MS) condition. The Denver mint marks (D) are located on the edge of the coin, along with the year and the motto “E Pluribus Unum.”
A coin’s value spikes significantly when it reaches the MS-67 or MS-68 level. At these grades, the coin must have virtually no scratches, a strong strike, and original mint luster. For those tracking market trends, the current high-grade Benjamin Harrison dollar auction results show that while common examples are cheap, “perfect” coins are highly sought after by registry set collectors.
If you find a coin with heavy scratches or dull surfaces, it is likely worth only its face value of $1, though collectors might pay a small premium of $1.25 just to fill a hole in their album. To get a better sense of real-world pricing, you can check the 2012 Presidential and Sacagawea dollar price guides to see how the Harrison dollar compares to its contemporaries.
| Mint Mark | Mintage Volume | Rarity Level |
|---|---|---|
| 2012-P (Philadelphia) | 5,600,100 | Low/Collector Only |
| 2012-D (Denver) | 4,200,000 | Slightly Scarcer |
| 2012-S (San Francisco Proof) | 1,186,471 | High (Proof sets) |
Identifying Rare Errors on the 2012-D Dollar
While the 2012-D B. Harrison dollar is generally consistent in quality, error seekers always look for “Edge Lettering” mistakes. Because the year and mint mark are rolled onto the edge of the coin in a secondary process, errors can occurs. Some coins have been found with “Missing Edge Lettering,” though this is far more common in the 2007 Washington dollars than the 2012 series.
Another error to look for is the “Double Edge Lettering,” where the coin passes through the machine twice. These errors can turn a $2 coin into a $50 or $100 item overnight. If you suspect your coin has a unique error, the CoinKnow app can help you identify similar documented errors by scanning the coin’s surface.
Always use a magnifying glass to inspect the rim. Even a small “clipped planchet” (where the coin looks like a bite was taken out of it) or a “die crack” on Harrison’s face can increase the value among specialty collectors.
The Denver vs. Philadelphia Mint Comparison
In 2012, the Denver Mint produced roughly 4.2 million Benjamin Harrison units, while the Philadelphia Mint produced about 5.6 million. This makes the 2012-D slightly scarcer by the numbers. To the average person, this difference is negligible, but to a serious collector, a 2012-D in a high grade is often harder to find than its P-mint counterpart.
Collectors often purchase “D” and “P” pairs together. If you have a full roll of 2012-D Harrison dollars, do not break them open! Original bank-wrapped or Mint-wrapped rolls carry a significant premium because they guarantee the coins are in “brilliant uncirculated” condition.
| Item Type | Typical Market Price |
|---|---|
| Single Loose Coin (2012-D) | $2.00 – $3.50 |
| Official Mint Roll (25 Coins) | $45.00 – $65.00 |
| Certified MS-67 (PCGS/NGC) | $40.00 – $80.00 |
How to Sell Your 2012-D Benjamin Harrison Dollar
If you’ve determined that your Harrison dollar is a high-grade specimen or a rare error, your next step is selling it. For coins worth under $10, local coin shops may not be interested as their profit margins are too thin. In these cases, listing them on platforms like eBay or using tools like CoinKnow to connect with other hobbyists is your best bet.
For coins that appear to be in “perfect” condition, consider professional grading from services like PCGS or NGC. A 2012-D Harrison dollar graded at MS-68 can sell for substantial amounts at specialized auctions. However, grading costs money (usually $20-$50 per coin), so only send in coins that have zero visible flaws under 10x magnification.
Most everyday Americans will find these coins are best kept as a “cool find” or a starter piece for a child’s coin collection. Since they were never officially circulated, they are much harder to find than the ubiquitous George Washington or Abraham Lincoln dollars you see at the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the 2012-D Benjamin Harrison dollar made of gold?
A: No, despite its “Golden Dollar” appearance, it contains no actual gold. It is composed of a copper core with a manganese-brass outer layer, which gives it that distinct yellow shine.
Q: Why can’t I find this coin in my pocket change?
A: Since the 2012 series was NIFC (Not Intended For Circulation), the U.S. Mint only sold them to collectors. Any 2012-D Harrison dollar found in circulation was likely spent by a collector or taken from a collection.
Q: How can I tell the difference between the Denver and Philadelphia mint?
A: Look at the edge (the rim) of the coin. You will see the year 2012 followed by either a “D” (Denver) or a “P” (Philadelphia). The edge also contains the words “E Pluribus Unum.”
Q: What is the most valuable 2012-D Harrison dollar ever sold?
A: While prices fluctuate, top-tier MS-68 specimens have been known to sell for over $100 at professional auctions, though most high-grade MS-67 examples hover around the $40 mark.
