James K. Polk Presidential $1 Coin

This is a United States Presidential $1 Coin featuring the 11th President of the United States, James K. Polk. Released in 2009 as part of the Presidential $1 Coin Program, the coin is composed of a manganese-brass alloy over a pure copper core, giving it a distinctive golden appearance despite containing no actual gold. The obverse side displays a detailed portrait of Polk with inscriptions of his name along the top, 'In God We Trust' and '11th President' along the left, and the years of his term '1845-1849' at the bottom. It measures approximately 26.5 mm in diameter and 2.0 mm in thickness. The coin appears to be in circulated condition, showing visible surface wear, minor scratches, and slight dulling of the original luster, though the relief and lettering remain legible. A key characteristic of this series is the edge-incused lettering which includes the year of minting, the mint mark (either 'P' or 'D'), and 'E Pluribus Unum'. The craftsmanship reflects standard modern U.S. Mint production with a flat rim and sharp, industrial strikes. The item exhibits a natural light-brown patina typical of copper-based alloys that have been handled.

Upon visual examination of the 2009 James K. Polk Presidential $1 Coin, I observe a specimen in circulated condition characterized by moderate surface wear, consistent with general commerce use. The manganese-brass composition shows the expected oxidation and dulling of the original mint luster, transitioning into a light-brown patina. The strikes for the obverse portrait and reverse Statue of Liberty appear consistent with United States Mint production standards for this series. Regarding market conditions, this coin was minted in high volume (approximately 88 million combined between the Philadelphia and Denver mints), which precludes any significant rarity-based premium. It remains legal tender at its face value of one dollar. Authentic specimens in this circulated state do not command a premium among collectors, as Uncirculated (MS) or Proof examples are readily available for nominal sums. While the visual details align with an authentic 2009 issue, a definitive authentication cannot be completed via digital image alone. A physical inspection would be required to verify the weight (8.1 grams), diameter (26.5 mm), and specific edge-incused lettering to rule out counterfeit strikes or altered surfaces. Scientific testing like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) could confirm the specific alloy proportions of the copper and manganese-brass layers. However, given the high mintage and commonality of this specific presidential issue, the cost of formal certification by services like PCGS or NGC would exceed the coin's market value.