What it is
Presidential dollars carry the date, mint mark and mottos on the edge, added in a separate step after striking. Some 2007 George Washington dollars skipped that step and left the Mint with a plain edge, missing IN GOD WE TRUST.
How to identify it
- The edge is completely smooth with no lettering.
- The coin has normal designs on both sides.
- Most known pieces are Washington dollars; a few later presidents exist too.
A 5x to 10x loupe and good, angled light make the details much easier to see. For anything that looks genuine, a digital scale and a certified comparison coin help.
What gets mistaken for it
Weak edge lettering is not the same error. The edge must be completely blank.
The regular 2007-P coin
The variety appears on the 2007-P George Washington Presidential Dollar, which had a total mintage of 176,680,000. That figure counts the whole issue, so it does not tell you how many coins show the variety.
How the Presidential dollar edge was made
The Presidential dollar program began in February 2007 with George Washington. To leave room for large portraits, the Mint moved the date, mint mark, E PLURIBUS UNUM and IN GOD WE TRUST to the edge. After striking, the coins passed through a separate edge-lettering machine. Some Washington dollars skipped that step and left the Mint with no edge lettering at all.
The error was found soon after release and drew news attention because the missing motto led to the Godless nickname.
The motto moves to the face
Public reaction to the edge lettering and the error led Congress to require IN GOD WE TRUST on the face of the coin. From 2009 the motto appeared on the obverse of Presidential dollars, while the date, mint mark and E PLURIBUS UNUM stayed on the edge.
A step-by-step check
Use a 5x loupe and look at the edge all the way around. A genuine Godless dollar has a smooth edge with no lettering at all. Then weigh the coin: it should weigh about 8.1 grams.
Look at the edge under magnification. Grinding away edge lettering leaves fine lines running around the edge and can make the coin slightly thinner or smaller. A genuine plain edge has the same smooth finish as the rest of the coin.
Other edge errors
Other Presidential dollars show missing edge lettering, including some 2007 Adams, Jefferson and Madison coins. Doubled edge lettering, where a coin went through the edge machine twice, is known on 2007 John Adams dollars.
Edge lettering can also face either way relative to the obverse, depending on how the coin entered the edge machine. This is normal and not an error.
Grades and preservation
Most Godless dollars were saved from circulation or rolls and are Uncirculated. Collectors look for full luster and few spots. Golden dollars tone easily, so bright, clean examples stand out.
Handle the coin by its edges with care, since the plain edge is the key feature and should stay free of marks.
Authentication
PCGS and NGC certify missing edge lettering errors. Because grinding off edge lettering is possible, buy certified coins and check the certification number.
Missing lettering versus weak lettering
Some 2007 dollars have very faint edge lettering, either because the edge machine pressed lightly or because the lettering was partly worn. These are not Godless dollars. Turn the coin slowly under a 10x loupe and look for any trace of letters, numbers or stars. Even a faint outline means the coin went through the edge machine.
A genuine Godless dollar shows no trace of lettering anywhere on the edge. The edge looks the same as on a coin before the lettering step: smooth and even.
Searching for edge errors
Rolls of 2007 Presidential dollars are the best place to search. Stack the coins and look at the edges from the side: a plain edge stands out immediately among lettered ones. Check each coin with a loupe to confirm the edge is completely blank and not just weak.
Why edge lettering errors happened
The edge lettering step was new for the Mint in 2007. Coins that missed the edge machine were mixed with lettered coins and shipped. As the Mint adjusted its processes, the number of missing edge lettering errors dropped.
This is why most Godless dollars are Washington coins from early in the program. The later Presidents of 2007 also have missing edge lettering errors, but they are found less often.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have a 2007 "Godless" Presidential Dollar?
The edge is completely smooth with no lettering. The coin has normal designs on both sides. If your coin passes these checks, have it authenticated by PCGS or NGC before buying or selling.
Is the 2007 "Godless" Presidential Dollar valuable?
Genuine examples sell for a premium over regular coins of the same date. The amount depends on how strong the variety is, the coin's condition and whether it is certified. Compare recent sold auction results for certified coins in the same grade.
What is a missing edge lettering?
A missing mint mark error occurs when the mint mark was left off a die that should have had one, or was filled with grease during striking. Read more about missing mint marks.
Why is it called the Godless dollar?
Because IN GOD WE TRUST, normally on the edge, is missing.
Is a dollar with upside-down edge lettering an error?
No. Edge lettering can face either way relative to the obverse; it is normal.
When did IN GOD WE TRUST move off the edge of Presidential dollars?
From 2009 the motto appeared on the obverse of Presidential dollars. The date, mint mark and E PLURIBUS UNUM stayed on the edge.