2012-P Benjamin Harrison Dollar Coin Value Guide
The 2012-P Benjamin Harrison Presidential Dollar is worth anywhere from $1.25 in circulated condition to over $50 in high-grade uncirculated condition. While most of these coins found in pocket change are only worth their face value, certain specimens with high luster or “Position A” edge lettering can command a premium from collectors.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (F-AU) | $1.00 – $1.25 |
| Uncirculated (MS63) | $2.50 – $4.00 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS65) | $8.00 – $15.00 |
| Gem Uncirculated (MS67+) | $40.00 – $120.00+ |
Understanding the 2012-P Benjamin Harrison Dollar History
The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Dollar was released in 2012 as part of the United States Mint’s Presidential $1 Coin Program. This program, which began in 2007, sought to honor every deceased U.S. President in the order they served. Harrison, the 23rd President, was unique in being the grandson of another President, William Henry Harrison. However, by the time 2012 rolled around, the program had undergone a massive change. Due to low public demand and high stockpiles of dollar coins in Federal Reserve vaults, the Treasury Department suspended the production of presidential dollars for general circulation.
If you are trying to identify a mystery coin you found in a drawer, using a free coin identifier app can save you hours of research. Because the 2012 coins were only produced for collectors and not intended for daily commerce, they are much harder to find in your spare change than the older George Washington or Abraham Lincoln versions. This NIFC (Not Intended For Circulation) status is the primary reason why even a “standard” 2012-P Harrison dollar is worth more than its $1 face value.
When you use the CoinKnow app, you can quickly see the mintage numbers for this Philadelphia-minted coin. The 2012-P Benjamin Harrison dollar had a mintage of only 5,600,000. Compare this to the 2007 Washington dollar, which had over 176 million minted at the Philadelphia mint alone. The scarcity of the 2012 issues makes them a favorite for middle-market collectors who are trying to complete their sets.
Evaluating the 2012-P Harrison Dollar Grade and Quality
The “P” mint mark on the 2012 Harrison dollar indicates it was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. Like all Presidential Dollars, the mint mark and year are not on the face of the coin; instead, they are incused on the edge. To find the value of your specific coin, you must look at the surface quality. Most of these coins were sold in “mint rolls” or “mint bags” directly to the public. Because they were shipped in bulk, many developed “bag marks” or tiny scratches from bumping into other coins.
Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use a 70-point scale. A coin with many scratches might be an MS60, while a nearly perfect specimen would be an MS67 or MS68. For those looking for precise data, evaluating the 2012-P dollar value across different grades is essential before selling. Most casual finds will fall into the MS63 to MS65 range.
If your coin looks exceptionally shiny and has no visible scratches even under a magnifying glass, it could be worth significantly more. It is always wise to check high-resolution images on CoinKnow to compare your coin’s luster with known high-grade examples. Serious collectors pay a premium for “eye appeal,” which refers to the way light dances across the golden-colored manganese-brass surface.
| Mint State Grade | Typical Characteristics | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| MS63 | Visible bag marks, average luster | $3.00 |
| MS65 | Strong luster, very few marks | $12.00 |
| MS67 | Virtually flawless to the naked eye | $55.00 |
The Importance of Edge Lettering: Position A vs. Position B
One of the most interesting aspects of the 2012-P Benjamin Harrison dollar is the edge lettering. The words “E Pluribus Unum,” “In God We Trust,” the year “2012,” and the mint mark “P” are all inscribed on the rim. Because the edge lettering is applied in a separate process after the coin is struck, the orientation of the text can vary. This has led to two distinct varieties known as Position A and Position B.
Position A occurs when the edge lettering is “upside down” when the President’s portrait is facing up. Position B occurs when the lettering is “right side up” relative to the portrait. In many years of the Presidential series, one position may be rarer than the other due to how the coins were fed into the edge-lettering machine. You can find more Presidential and Sacagawea dollar price guides to see how these edge positions affect different years in the series.
For the 2012-P Harrison, neither position is considered extremely rare, but collectors often want one of each for their albums. If you have a roll of these coins, it is worth the time to sort them by position. Using the CoinKnow app can help you keep track of which varieties you have in your collection and what the current auction trends are for Position A vs. Position B.
Factors that Influence the Benjamin Harrison Dollar Price
While the base value of a 2012-P Harrison dollar is relatively stable, several factors can push the price higher. The first is “Full Luster.” Since these coins are composed of a copper core with a manganese-brass cladding, they tend to tone or discolor quickly when exposed to oxygen or skin oils. A coin that has retained its original “bright gold” appearance will always sell for more than one that has turned a dull brown or greenish color.
Another factor is the presence of errors. While no major “headline-grabbing” errors have been discovered for the 2012-P Harrison dollar like the “Godless Dollars” of 2007 (missing edge lettering), minor errors still exist. These include doubled dies on the reverse (the Statue of Liberty) or “clipped planchets” where a piece of the coin is missing. If you think you found an error, compare it to the high-def gallery in CoinKnow to ensure it isn’t just post-mint damage.
Finally, the source of the coin matters. Coins extracted from official US Mint sets (like the 2012 Uncirculated Coin Set) are often in better condition than those found in bulk “ballistic bags.” Collectors usually prefer “Set-Origin” coins because they have been handled with more care.
| Value Factor | Impact on Price |
|---|---|
| Toning/Color | Bright gold is preferred; dark brown reduces value. |
| Mint Errors | Major errors can increase value to $50 – $100+. |
| Certification | Coins graded MS67 by PCGS/NGC command the highest premiums. |
How to Sell Your 2012-P Benjamin Harrison Dollar
If you’ve determined that your coin is a high-grade specimen, your next step is deciding where to sell it. For coins worth less than $10, local coin shops may not be interested individually, as the profit margin is too low. In these cases, selling as a “year set” (including the other 2012 presidents: Chester A. Arthur, Grover Cleveland, and Benjamin Harrison) on platforms like eBay might yield better results.
For high-grade coins (MS66 or higher), consider a professional auction house or a specialized numismatic marketplace. Before selling, always check the most recent “Sold” listings rather than “Asking” prices. People can ask for $1,000 for a common coin, but that doesn’t mean it’s worth that much! Tools like CoinKnow provide real-time auction data so you can set a realistic expectation.
Keep your coins in protective flips or capsules to prevent further scratches. Even a single fingerprint can cause the manganese surface to spot over time, which will drastically lower the grade and the eventual payout you receive from a dealer.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2012-P Harrison Dollar
Q: Why can’t I find the 2012-P Benjamin Harrison dollar in my change?
A: In late 2011, the U.S. Treasury stopped producing Presidential Dollars for circulation. The 2012-P Harrison dollars were only sold in rolls and bags directly to collectors at a premium. Practically all of them are held in private collections.
Q: Is there a “Gold” version of the Benjamin Harrison dollar?
A: No. While the coin has a beautiful golden color, it contains no actual gold. It is made of a mix of copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel. The “gold” color is purely aesthetic and comes from the manganese-brass outer layer.
Q: What is the most expensive 2012-P Harrison dollar ever sold?
A: High-grade specimens in MS68 condition have sold for over $500 at major auctions. However, these are extremely rare and usually require professional grading by PCGS or NGC to reach those prices.
Q: Does the edge lettering “Position A” make it more valuable?
A: Generally, no. While collectors like to have both Position A and Position B, there isn’t a significant price difference for the 2012-P issue unless one position is found in a significantly higher grade than the other.
Q: Can I spend this coin at a store?
A: Yes, it is legal tender and worth $1. However, since it is a collector-only issue with a low mintage, its numismatic value is at least $1.25 to $2.00, so you are better off keeping it or selling it to a collector!
