The U.S. Mint on Tuesday, Feb. 16, will introduce its final proof set of Presidential $1 Coins. One of the set’s three dollars features Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States Mint. This article presents photos of a proof Reagan $1 and some of the dies used in striking them.
Made for collectors, proof coins showcase frosted designs against mirror-like backgrounds. Coins in the Mint’s annual proof sets are struck and packaged at the U.S. Mint in San Francisco. We stopped by the facility and were fortunate in getting to see and photograph many of this year’s proofs.
Just a week ago Saturday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the United States Mint officially unveiled designs for the Ronald Reagan Presidential $1 Coin and Nancy Reagan First Spouse Gold Coin to help celebrate the 105th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth. Mint officials later on the same day gave the public another opportunity to see the designs first hand at the February 2016 Long Beach Coin and Currency Expo (www.longbeachexpo.com).
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Appearing on the obverse (heads side) of the Ronald Reagan Presidential $1 Coin is a forward facing portrait of the president. The effigy, designed by Richard Masters and sculpted by Joseph Menna, is surrounded by inscriptions of RONALD REAGAN, IN GOD WE TRUST, 40th PRESIDENT and 1981-1989. Here are three photographs of a proof Reagan dollar:
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Reverses off all Presidential $1 Coins share Don Everhart’s rendition of the Statue of Liberty and include inscriptions of $1 and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The dollars also have common edge letterings of E PLURIBUS UNUM, the year of issue and their mint mark.
To strike the coins, the U.S. Mint uses hardened dies. These are produced at the Philadelphia Mint and then shipped to San Francisco where they’re treated and polished to create their unique finish. A couple photos of a Reagan die appear below.
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The Presidential $1 Coin Program launched in 2007 and pays tribute to deceased, former commander-in-chiefs in the order in which they served. The program ends this year with the final three coins commemorating Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford and Ronald Reagan. (See Nixon $1 photos and Ford $1 photos.) Here is a U.S. Mint image of the three dollars inside a proof set’s protective lens:
The 2016 Presidential $1 Coin Proof Set becomes available on Tuesday at noon ET for $17.95. In addition to proof editions, the United States Mint also strikes circulating quality versions for collectors. Nixon $1 coin in rolls, bags and boxes launched on Wednesday, Feb. 3. Their prices range from $32.95 for 25-coin rolls to $275.95 for 250-coin boxes. Circulating quality dollars for Gerald Ford are due out Mar. 8 while those for Reagan are expected to launch sometime in July.
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Order $1 coin products from the United States Mint’s online store, right here, or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Dollar coins have a manganese-brass composition of 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese and 2% nickel. Each weighs 8.1 grams, has a diameter of 26.49 mm, or 1.043 inches, and a thickness of 2.0 mm.
The U.S. Mint also strikes companion coins honoring former first ladies. These are minted in one-half ounce of .9999 fine gold. Those honoring Patricia Nixon go on sale Feb. 18. Betty Ford First Spouse Gold Coins launch on Mar. 25. Finally, those commemorating Nancy Reagan become available in July.
