Grant Memorial Gold Dollar

The Grant Memorial Gold Dollar commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War general and 18th president of the United States. It was struck alongside a companion half dollar of the same design theme, and both share the distinction of having a "star" variety that is dramatically scarcer than the "no star" version.

Collectors particularly prize this issue for the variety hunt it created: a tiny incuse star above the word "GRANT" on some examples makes an otherwise ordinary commemorative into one of the key rarities of the entire classic commemorative gold series.

The coin was authorized by Congress in 1922 to mark the centennial of Grant's birth in Point Pleasant, Ohio, and proceeds were intended to support memorial projects associated with his birthplace and boyhood home. It was designed by sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser, one of the most accomplished coin and medal designers of her generation.

During production, a small five-pointed star was added above the word "GRANT" on some early dies, reportedly to distinguish proof or presentation pieces, though the exact reason has been debated by historians. Very few star coins were struck compared to the far more common no-star variety, and the discrepancy in mintage was noticed by collectors almost immediately, cementing the star variety's reputation as a classic rarity.

The obverse shows a bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing right, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" around the border and "GRANT" below the portrait. On the rare variety, a small incuse five-pointed star appears just above the word "GRANT"; on the far more common variety, no star is present. The reverse depicts Grant's log cabin birthplace with "GRANT MEMORIAL" above and the dates "1822–1922" reflecting the centennial.

The coin is struck in .900 fine gold at the standard gold dollar diameter of about 15mm, with no mint mark since production was limited to Philadelphia. Careful examination with magnification is required to confirm the presence or absence of the star, as it is small and can be obscured by wear or poor photography.

The no-star Grant gold dollar is scarce but attainable, trading mostly on the basis of grade, while the star variety is a genuine key rarity of the commemorative gold series and commands prices many times higher than its no-star counterpart in any comparable grade. Because so few star examples exist, they rarely appear on the open market and generate strong interest when they do.

Collectors should be cautious of altered or misidentified coins claiming to be the star variety, and authentication by a reputable grading service is strongly advised for any purchase. Prices for common no-star examples run from several hundred dollars in circulated grades to well over a thousand in gem condition, while genuine star examples can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars depending on grade.