The reverse of all the Presidential $1 coins feature a rendition of the Statue of Liberty. The U.S. Mint has not yet revealed the portraits for the obverses of the 2012 dollars.
Despite an official confirmation from the United States Mint that is likely to be off into the distance, Federal Reserve Bank Services has published release dates for the upcoming 2012 Presidential $1 Coins, just as it recently listed them for the 2012 quarters. Of course, the standard caveat of "release dates are subject to change" applies, but it does give interested collectors at least a close idea of when the strikes from the sixth year of the Presidential series will be issued.
These four releases will mark the 21st through 24th of the series which honors former Presidents of the United States of America with portraits of the selected individuals showcased on the obverse of each strike. The program debuted in 2007 with a coin honoring George Washington, the first President of the United States.
Since that inaugural release, coins in the series have appeared at a rate of four per year honoring the former Presidents in the order in which they served. Featured on the 2012 Presidential $1 Coins will be strikes honoring Chester A. Arthur who served in the nation’s highest office from 1881-1885, Grover Cleveland who held the office from 1885-1889, Benjamin Harrison who was President from 1889-1893 and a second coin honoring Grover Cleveland acknowledging his second non-consecutive term which ran from 1893-1897.
Along with the release dates, the Federal Reserve has also indicated a special ordering period for the dollars. This is a 5-week window running three weeks before the public release to two weeks after in which depository institutions (banks) may order unmixed Presidential $1 Coins in boxes containing $1,000 worth of wrapped $25 rolls. Institutions may also order $2,000 bags of loose Presidential $1 Coins by contacting their associated local Federal Reserve Bank.
In the order of their official release into circulation, the special order period and public release dates follow:
2012 Presidential Dollar Release Dates
| Coin | Public Release Date | Special Order Period |
| Chester A. Arthur Presidential Coin | February 16, 2012 | January 26 – March 1 |
| Grover Cleveland Presidential Coin (first) | May 17, 2012 | April 26 – May 31 |
| Benjamin Harrison Presidential Coin | August 16, 2012 | July 26 – August 30 |
| Grover Cleveland Presidential Coin (second) | November 15, 2012 | October 25 – November 29 |
The fact that specific coins are available for order by local depository institutions is thanks to legislative requirements. Typically, local banks and other institutions may only place orders for coinage of a particular denomination and not by a specific design. This unique procedure has allowed some collectors to obtain rolls of the new strikes at face value from their banks instead of having to order them at a premium from other places.
Coins in the Mint’s Presidential $1 series (http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/$1coin/) are scheduled to be issued until at least 2016. That is, however, unless legislative changes modify the current program — something which has been threatened on several recent occasions owing to a growing stockpile of dollar coins in the treasury vaults.
- Release Dates for 2012 America the Beautiful Quarters
- 2010 Presidential Dollar Release Dates
- 2011 Presidential $1 Dollars: Release Dates and Coin Images
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
“That is, however, unless legislative changes modify the current program — something which has been threatened on several recent occasions owing to a growing stockpile of dollar coins in the treasury vaults.”
How hard is it for politicians to realize that we’d save a lot more money and have far fewer hassles if the $1 bill were eliminated? Every other major country reached that conclusion years ago, but of course American “exceptionalism” (= stubbornness) means we’re going to be subsidizing Crane Paper for decades to come.
Even if a bill makes it to the floor to eliminate the Presidential Dollars, I can’t see it passing once Republicans realize they would not be getting a Reagan dollar.
Gentlemen,
I am disappointed that the local banks will not be able to offer the Presidental Dollars beginning with Chester Arthur. These dollars are affordable for people like me who are NOT COIN COLLECTORS but wish to purchase these dollars to hand down to my grandchildren as a memento of history. Please reconsider this decision and allow the local banks to acquire these dollars to distribute locally.
Don Johnson
Munze:
Too true but the Mint is also to blame for the refusal by the public to accept the dollar coins.
Even though they have tried twice before to force a dollar coin on the public, they haven’t solicited comment from the public over the design.
Partly this is because at first they desperately wanted to enshrine a female on a coin. This was driven by political correctness and their first choice was a person most had never heard of and really didn’t have much of a reputation as a true example of American exceptionalism and Patriotism along with being a widely known historical figure. She was chosen for political reasons. Same with Sacajewa. Another PC female choice with almost zero public acknowledgement.
Top that off with the dollar coin being very similar to the quarter and voila, we have coins that no one wants to use. Their too heavy, they celebrate historical figures most folks don’t relate to (or want to relate to).
First; the coin should be smaller and lighter in weight with some distinguishing physical form that makes it obvious it’s a dollar.
Second; either let the people choose a figure to place on the coin or use some emblematic design (eagle, wash monument, Indian, or a place.) that connotes the power of the dollar and the foundation in patriotic principals and leadership (like Geo. Washington) as the figures to represent.
Get the people’s input and spend some of the money used to MAKE the coins to PROMOTE and EDUCATE.
Until they do this we’ll still have the dollar bill (along with the penny)
I am in total agreement with Don Johnson – January 30, 2012 statement.
I am only able to get the $1 coins from our local bank in Iowa without paying an exoribinet price to someone. I am not a coin collector but have made a very unique map of the USA with the state quarters and the presidents listed below. I had enough spaces for the presidents to go through year 2016.
Please reconsider and allow the local banks in the USA to obtain the coins.
Thanks for the consideration.
I also am not a collector but have made an effort along with my brother to obtain the coins from all the presidents. Please reconsider and allow the local banks in the USA to obtain the coins.
Thank you!
Please reconsider having the banks order the coins for future sale to your consumers. They will only be stock-piled at the reserve for many many years.
Why are you going back on your word. Is this like so many things were
offered and not come thru as we were led to believe. The dollars were
given to my sons and grandchildren as gifts. Why not finish the series…..
Just like the Solar rebate, and old car rebate, conservation projects
not paid as of date and it passed 5 years ago. What chance do I have to finish the series of all the president silver dollars…………..Will I receive a answer ????????
How do I go about continuing my Gold Presidential Coins now that banks can’t carry them anymore?
I have been collecting the Presidential coins since they became available on 2007, How can I complete my collection if the local banks can’t sell them? This seems like another bright idea from the federal government. If these coins have been minted let local banks sell them to make money for the federal government.
This decision is outrageous. My father (who is 76) has been getting these from the banks since they started the series. To stop now is ludicrous. I am amazed at the idiots making these decisions. I guess we will see the coin guy selling them on the shopping channels soon! Wow…and to do it midstream! I am shocked!