Thomas Jefferson Presidential $1 Coin

This is a United States one-dollar coin featuring the likeness of Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States. Part of the Presidential $1 Coin Program, this specific coin was first released in 2007. The obverse depicts a forward-facing portrait of Jefferson with the inscriptions 'THOMAS JEFFERSON' around the top and '3rd PRESIDENT 1801-1809' along the bottom. The coin is composed of a manganese-brass clad over a pure copper core, giving it a distinctive golden appearance. It measures 26.5mm in diameter and has a thickness of 2mm. The construction involves a three-layer process: a core of pure copper sandwiched between outer layers of 77% copper, 12% zinc, 7% manganese, and 4% nickel. This example shows signs of light circulation, with visible surface scratches and some minor grime or verdigris accumulation along the lower inner rim. The striking quality appears standard for business strikes, showing moderate detail in the hair and facial features. The edge of the coin, though not fully visible, would traditionally feature incused lettering including the year of minting, the mint mark, and the mottoes 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' and 'IN GOD WE TRUST'.

I have carefully examined the Thomas Jefferson Presidential $1 Coin via the provided technical description and visual data. The coin appears to be an authentic 'business strike' release from 2007. My physical assessment reveals visible surface scratches, minor friction on the high points of Jefferson’s portrait, and verdigris accumulation near the lower rim. These factors indicate a 'Circulated' grade, likely in the Fine to Very Fine range. From a numismatic perspective, this coin belongs to a high-volume series with over 200 million units minted across the Philadelphia and Denver facilities. Because it shows clear signs of use and does not possess a rare 'missing edge lettering' error, it carries no significant collector premium. In the current market, circulated examples of this series typically retain only their face value ($1.00). Only specimens graded at Mint State 67 or higher by services like PCGS or NGC, or those with significant minting errors, command professional premiums. While the appearance is consistent with genuine manganese-brass clad compositions, I must note the limitations of a digital appraisal. A definitive authentication requires an in-person examination to verify the edge lettering (including the mint mark and year), conduct a weight test (8.1 grams), and perform a diameter check (26.5mm) to rule out high-quality counterfeits or altered surfaces. Provenance documentation is not required for a common circulation coin, but scientific testing of the metal alloy would be necessary if any non-standard color variations were observed.