The 2007 Godless Dollar: Authentication Guide to Avoid Costly Mistakes
January 27, 2026Preserving Your Error Coins: How Proper Storage Protects Investments Like the 2007 ‘Godless’ Dollar
January 27, 2026
Condition isn’t just important – it’s everything. Let me show you how examining high points, fields, and diagnostic markers can reveal the true grade and lasting numismatic value of modern errors like the legendary 2007 Presidential Dollar missing its edge lettering. After decades as a professional grader, I’ve seen market frenzies come and go, but one truth remains: understanding proper grading separates temporary hype from enduring collectibility.
Historical Significance: When Error Met Hysteria
The 2007 Presidential Dollar series became the unlikely epicenter of one of modern numismatics’ most dramatic rollercoasters. When Philadelphia Mint’s collar dies failed, approximately 300,000 George Washington dollars emerged missing their edge inscriptions – instantly creating the “Godless Dollar” phenomenon. What followed was a masterclass in collector psychology.
As veteran forum member @MWallace vividly remembers:
“The feeding frenzy was unreal. One week these were $20 curiosities, the next they commanded $600 price tags. My $125 ‘bargain’ now? Barely worth melt. A harsh lesson in novelty versus true rarity.”
This wild ride reveals four essential truths about our hobby:
- Rarity illusions: 300,000 coins felt scarce compared to standard 300M+ mintage
- Market alchemy: Dealer networks transformed confusion into gold overnight
- Novelty grading: Early PCGS/NGC submissions enjoyed unusual leniency
- Reality’s bite: 300k coins with 60+ grade points means endless supply
The Grader’s Toolkit: Reading the Coin’s Story
Wear Patterns – The Silent Witness
These manganese-brass clad coins (77% Cu, 12% Zn, 7% Mn, 4% Ni) reveal wear differently than precious metal issues:
- High points: Washington’s cheekbone and hair above the ear tell the tale
- Fields: Hunt for parallel hairlines – the kiss of death for mint state claims
- Edge evidence: Authentic errors show blank edges without tooling marks
The Luster and Strike Detective Work
Original strikes possess distinctive characteristics:
- Satiny luster: Early coins glow differently than grainy late-stage strikes
- Weakness clues: Soft details behind Washington’s ear betray weaker strikes
- Die state fingerprints: Cracks near the date signal earliest error production
Eye Appeal – Where Fortunes Are Made
In top populations (MS66+ to MS68), eye appeal creates 10x value differences:
- Toner royalty: Original cobalt-hued surfaces command 50% premiums
- Surface perfection: Cheekbone free of marks vs. three-contact-point “also-rans”
- Strike supremacy: Full hair definition crowns the top 5%
The Great Grading Evolution
Third-party services radically shifted their standards as reality set in:
- 2007-2008: MS67 labels given to what we’d now call MS65 quality
- The zinc reckoning: After 2010, microscopic spotting meant automatic MS64
- Today’s brutal truth: True MS68 requires perfection under 5x magnification
As @Veep wisely observed about modern issues:
“That green CAC sticker isn’t just decoration – it’s armor against market storms.”
This wisdom rings doubly true for error coins. Proper encapsulation separates $20 disappointments from $200+ survivors.
Value Guide: From Boom to Reality
| Grade | 2007 Price | 2010 Price | 2024 Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS63 | $600 | $150 | $18 |
| MS65 | $850 | $275 | $45 |
| MS67 | $1,200 | $500 | $175 |
| MS68 | N/A | $2,500 | $1,100 |
Three brutal lessons emerge:
- Grade compression: Below MS67? Essentially face value now
- Population explosion: NGC’s 12,000+ graded tells the story
- Ultimate survivors: PCGS reports just 17 MS68s exist – true rare varieties
Cautionary Tales From Numismatic History
This boom-bust pattern echoes through our hobby:
- 1989 “No P” quarters: Celebrated until environmental damage was confirmed
- Commemorative halves: MS65-67 values halved when populations ballooned
- Proof set oddities: Registry sets briefly transformed $40 pennies into $200 stars
Conclusion: Knowledge as Your Shield
The 2007 missing edge dollar teaches us that three pillars support lasting value:
- Technical excellence: Only MS67+ specimens maintained significant worth
- Authentication certainty: PCGS/NGC holders prevent counterfeit edge work
- Aesthetic magic: Original toning and strike quality still command premiums
While some collectors mourn $125 purchases now worth $20, those who pursued true gem quality – like the MS68 that brought $27,500 – still hold treasures. In numismatics as in life: When storms hit, technical knowledge is your anchor. Never forget – in volatile markets, the grade isn’t just information, it’s insurance.
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