The 2010-P Franklin Pierce Dollar is worth anywhere from its $1 face value in circulated condition to over $50 in high-grade uncirculated condition. While most of these coins found in pocket change are spending money, certain “Position A” or “Position B” edge lettering varieties and high-grade specimens can fetch a premium from serious collectors.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (F-AU) | $1.00 – $1.25 |
| Uncirculated (MS60-MS63) | $2.00 – $5.00 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS65+) | $10.00 – $25.00 |
| High Grade (MS67+) | $50.00+ |
History of the 2010-P Franklin Pierce Presidential Dollar
If you’ve recently found a golden-colored coin featuring the 14th President of the United States, you are holding a piece of the Presidential $1 Coin Program. Launched in 2007, this series aimed to honor every deceased U.S. President in the order they served. The Franklin Pierce edition was released in 2010 as the 14th coin in the series.
To find out the value of your specific coin quickly, many enthusiasts use the best coin identifier app to scan the details and get an instant estimate. The Philadelphia Mint (denoted by the “P” on the edge) produced millions of these coins, which were originally intended to circulate alongside the paper dollar. However, due to low public demand, many remained in government vaults.
The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Franklin Pierce, designed by Susan Gamble. The reverse features a sweeping image of the Statue of Liberty, a design common to the entire Presidential series. While the “gold” color is striking, it is actually a manganese-brass composition, not real gold. Using a tool like CoinHix can help you distinguish between a common strike and a rare variety that might be hiding in your change.
Is a 2010-P Franklin Pierce Dollar Rare?
In the world of numismatics, rarity is relative. For the 2010-P Franklin Pierce dollar, the Philadelphia Mint produced exactly 38,360,000 coins. While nearly 40 million sounds like a lot, it is actually a significantly lower mintage compared to early years like 2007, when hundreds of millions of George Washington dollars were struck.
Most of these coins were bagged and put into circulation or saved in rolls by collectors. If your coin has scratches, dings, or appears dull, it is likely “circulated” and worth only its face value of $1.00. Truly rare examples are those that have survived in “Mint State” (MS), meaning they look exactly as they did the day they left the press.
Identifying high-quality specimens is much easier when you use CoinHix, as the app lets you compare your coin’s luster to known high-grade examples. For those looking for specific market data, checking the 2010 Presidential and Sacagawea dollar value trends shows that even small condition differences can change price outcomes for modern dollars.
Understanding Grading and the 2010-P Dollar Price
Coins are graded on a scale from 1 to 70. A 2010-P Franklin Pierce dollar in MS60 (Mint State 60) is considered a typical uncirculated coin, while an MS67 or MS68 is a museum-quality piece. Because these coins were shipped in large canvas bags, they often banged into each other, creating “bag marks” or tiny scratches.
Finding a coin without any visible marks under a magnifying glass is difficult. This is why collectors pay a premium for high-grade coins. Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC provide the most accurate assessments, but for a casual collector, knowing the baseline prices is the first step in deciding whether a coin is worth the grading fee.
| Grade | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| MS63 | $3.50 |
| MS65 | $8.00 |
| MS66 | $15.00 |
| MS67 | $45.00 |
What Does “Position A” and “Position B” Edge Lettering Mean?
One of the unique features of the 2010-P Pierce Dollar is the edge lettering. If you look at the rim of the coin, you will see the year, the mint mark, and “E Pluribus Unum.” Because the edge lettering was applied in a separate step from the main strike, the orientation of the text can vary.
“Position A” refers to coins where the edge lettering is upside down when the President’s portrait is facing up. “Position B” refers to coins where the lettering is right-side up when the portrait is facing up. While neither position is technically more “valuable” than the other, serious collectors often try to find one of each to complete their sets.
When researching the 2010-P Pierce Dollar pricing by position, you may find small fluctuations in demand. Most collectors use high-resolution photos in apps like CoinHix to verify their coin’s edge orientation before listing it for sale on platforms like eBay.
Are There Any Known Errors on the 2010-P Pierce Dollar?
Error coins are the holy grail for collectors because they are unique. For the Presidential series, the most famous error is the “Godless Dollar” (missing edge lettering), but this was mostly corrected by 2010. However, minor errors still exist for the Franklin Pierce dollar.
The most common errors found on these coins include “Double Struck” coins, where the die hit the planchet twice, or “Off-Center” strikes. There have also been reports of “Doubled Die” errors on the reverse, particularly around the Statue of Liberty’s features, though these are rare and require a loupe to identify.
If you think you’ve found an error, compare your coin to photos of confirmed mint errors. If the text on the edge is completely missing, you could be looking at a coin worth $50 or more. Always verify with a professional before cleaning the coin, as cleaning can actually destroy its collector value.
How to Sell Your 2010-P Franklin Pierce Dollar
If you’ve determined that your coin is in exceptional condition or features a rare error, you might want to sell it. For coins worth only face value, the best “sale” is simply spending them at the grocery store. For higher-value coins, eBay and local coin shops are your best bet.
When selling online, take clear, high-resolution photos of both the front, back, and the edge of the coin. Detailed descriptions including the “P” mint mark and the edge position (A or B) will help attract knowledgeable buyers. Remember that market prices fluctuate, so checking current “Sold” listings is better than looking at “Asking” prices.
| Sales Channel | Best For… |
|---|---|
| eBay | High-grade MS66+ or Error coins |
| Local Coin Shop | Bulk rolls or quick appraisals |
| Collector Forums | Specific edge lettering varieties |
FAQ
Q: Is the 2010-P Franklin Pierce Dollar made of real gold?
A: No, the coin is made of a core of pure copper with an outer layer of manganese brass (77% copper, 12% zinc, 7% manganese, and 4% nickel). It has a golden color but contains zero gold content.
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 2010-P dollar?
A: Unlike most US coins where the mint mark is on the face, the “P” for the 2010 Franklin Pierce dollar is located on the edge of the coin, along with the date and “E Pluribus Unum.”
Q: How many Franklin Pierce dollars were made?
A: The Philadelphia Mint (P) produced 38.36 million coins, and the Denver Mint (D) produced 35.31 million coins, for a total of over 73 million Franklin Pierce dollars.
Q: Should I get my 2010-P Pierce Dollar graded?
A: Only if the coin is in near-perfect condition (MS67 or higher) or has a significant mint error. For most 2010-P dollars, the cost of professional grading (usually $20-$50) is higher than the value of the coin itself.
