How to Identify the Franklin Pierce Presidential Dollar

Start with the obverse portrait and legends. A Franklin Pierce dollar shows a right-facing bust with the name FRANKLIN PIERCE, the phrase 14TH PRESIDENT, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the term dates 1853–1857. Because every coin in the Presidential $1 series shares the same reverse, the obverse name and ordinal number are the fastest and most reliable way to confirm which president you are holding.

Check the reverse for the program's common design: the Statue of Liberty, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arced above and the denomination $1 below. If the back shows anything else — an eagle, a wreath, or a state design — you are not looking at a Presidential dollar. The uniform reverse is a defining feature of the series and a quick way to rule out look-alikes.

Confirm the physical traits. The coin is golden in color but is manganese brass, about 26.5 mm in diameter and roughly 8.1 grams. The edge is smooth rather than reeded and carries incused lettering: E PLURIBUS UNUM, the minting year 2010, and a mint mark. Do not confuse the 2010 edge date with the 1853–1857 term dates on the face — they describe two different things. A P or D mark indicates a circulation strike; an S indicates a San Francisco proof.

Watch for a few pitfalls. Missing or partial edge lettering is the best-known error for this series and can add value, so inspect the edge carefully before spending the coin. Because the coins are common, wear and handling marks are ordinary and do not indicate a fake; genuine authentication concerns arise mainly with claimed error coins. When in doubt about an error or a high grade, submit the coin to a reputable grading service such as PCGS or NGC rather than relying on appearance alone.