The 2015-P Harry S. Truman Dollar is worth anywhere from $1.25 in circulated condition to over $45 for high-grade mint state specimens. While most Truman dollars found in pocket change carry only a small premium, certain “Position A” or “Position B” edge lettering variations and high-grade professional certifications can significantly increase their market price.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| Circulated (F-AU) | $1.05 – $1.50 |
| Uncirculated (MS-63) | $3.00 – $5.00 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS-65) | $8.00 – $15.00 |
| Gem Uncirculated (MS-67) | $45.00+ |
History of the 2015-P Harry S. Truman Presidential Dollar
The 2015-P Harry S. Truman Dollar was released as part of the United States Mint’s Presidential $1 Coin Program, which honored each U.S. President in the order they served. Truman, the 33rd President, was featured in the first release of 2015. These coins were minted in Philadelphia (indicated by the ‘P’ mint mark on the edge) and feature a striking portrait of Truman on the obverse.
If you have stumbled upon one of these golden-colored coins, you might wonder if it is made of real gold. Unfortunately, it is a copper-core coin with a manganese-brass cladding. To quickly identify your find among other similar-looking dollars, using the best coin identifier app can save you hours of manual research and help you categorize your collection instantly.
By 2015, the U.S. Mint had stopped producing Presidential dollars for general circulation because of high stockpiles. This means that the 2015-P Truman Dollar was essentially produced only for collectors and sold in rolls, bags, and sets from the Mint. Finding one in your local change is a rare treat, as most remained in the hands of numismatists. If you are unsure of what you have, the CoinHix app can provide high-resolution visual comparisons to confirm the coin’s authenticity.
Technical Specifications and Composition
Understanding the physical makeup of the 2015-P Harry S. Truman dollar helps in identifying counterfeits and determining wear. These coins share the same dimensions as the Sacagawea dollar and other Presidential series coins. The “golden” color comes from the outer layer of manganese brass, which provides the distinctive luster often seen on these coins.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.1 grams |
| Diameter | 26.5 mm |
| Thickness | 2.0 mm |
| Composition | 88.5% Copper, 6% Zinc, 3.5% Manganese, 2% Nickel |
Because these coins were not released into general circulation, any specimen that shows significant wear is likely from a broken-up collector set that someone mistakenly spent. Most coins you find today should still be in relatively “shiny” or Uncirculated condition. Knowing the exact current market value for uncirculated Truman dollars is vital for anyone looking to sell, as prices fluctuate based on collector demand.
Grading and How It Affects Value
Value is almost entirely dependent on the “grade” or condition of the coin. For the 2015-P Truman Dollar, the difference between a coin worth $1 and a coin worth $50 is often invisible to the naked eye. Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use a 70-point scale to determine quality.
A grade of MS-63 (Mint State 63) indicates a coin with some distracting marks or scuffs but full original luster. Once you reach MS-67, the coin is nearly flawless, showing no visible marks even under magnification. For everyday Americans, the most reliable way to estimate a grade at home is by using the CoinHix photo-recognition technology, which analyzes surface details to give you a ballpark estimate of the coin’s condition.
The historical pricing for 2015 dollar coins shows that most collector-grade examples sell for roughly two to three times their face value. While this isn’t a “get-rich-quick” coin, it is a fun piece of history that continues to see modest growth in value as more years pass by.
Edge Lettering: Position A vs. Position B
A unique feature of the Presidential Dollar series is the edge lettering. The mint mark, year of production, and the motto “E Pluribus Unum” are incused onto the edge of the coin rather than the face. This was done to give the coin a more artistic, clean appearance on the obverse and reverse.
Collectors distinguish between “Position A” and “Position B.” Position A means the edge lettering is upside-down when Harry S. Truman’s portrait is facing up. Position B means the lettering is right-side up. Neither is particularly rarer than the other for the 2015-P issue, but many collectors quest for a “matching set” that includes both positions, which can slightly increase the sale price of a pair.
| Position Type | Description | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Position A | Upside-down lettering when Obverse is up | None (Standard) |
| Position B | Right-side up lettering when Obverse is up | None (Standard) |
Rarity and Mintage Figures
The 2015-P Harry S. Truman Dollar has a relatively low mintage compared to early years of the program, like the 2007 Washington Dollar. Specifically, the Philadelphia Mint produced 5,040,000 Truman Dollars. While five million sounds like a lot, in the world of U.S. coinage, this is considered a “low mintage” coin.
Compare this to the 2007 Washington Dollar, which had a mintage of over 176 million from Philadelphia alone. Because there were 35 times fewer Truman dollars made than Washington dollars, the 2015 coins carry a much higher baseline value for collectors. Most of these coins were sold in rolls of 25 for about $32.95, meaning the original buyers already paid a premium over the $1 face value.
If you are sorting through a collection, keep an eye out for “mint errors.” These can include missing edge lettering (very rare for 2015), double dies, or clipped planchets. Error coins can sell for $50 to $100 or even more. Using CoinHix to scan your coin can help identify these hidden anomalies that would otherwise go unnoticed by the average person.
Where to Sell Your 2015-P Truman Dollar
If you discover that your coin is in pristine condition or features a rare error, your next step is finding a buyer. For most common uncirculated versions, local coin shops are a good start, though they may only offer you close to face value unless you have a full, unopened roll.
For high-grade coins certified by PCGS or NGC, online auction platforms like eBay or Heritage Auctions are the best venues. Collectors often engage in bidding wars for “Top Pop” (highest population) coins. Always check recent “Sold” listings rather than “Active” listings to see what people are actually paying.
| Platform | Best For… | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | Individual uncirculated coins | Market Price minus fees |
| Coin Shop | Quick cash for bulk rolls | 60-70% of retail |
| Major Auctions | MS-67 or Rare Errors | High (varies) |
FAQ
Q: Is the 2015-P Harry S. Truman Dollar made of gold?
A: No, it is not. While it has a golden color, the coin is made of a mixture of copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel. There is no actual gold content in Presidential Dollars.
Q: My Truman dollar has no mint mark on the face. Is it an error?
A: No, this is normal! For the Presidential Dollar series, the mint mark (P, D, or S) is located on the edge of the coin, not the obverse or reverse.
Q: Can I spend a 2015-P Harry S. Truman dollar at a store?
A: Yes, it is legal tender and worth $1. However, since it is a collector’s item with a mintage of only 5 million, it is usually worth at least $1.25 to $2.00 to a collector, so it is better to save it.
Q: How can I tell if my coin is Position A or Position B?
A: Hold the coin with Harry Truman’s portrait facing you and right-side up. Look at the edge. If the words are upside-down, it is Position A. If the words are right-side up, it is Position B.
Q: What is the most expensive 2015-P Truman Dollar ever sold?
A: High-grade specimens in MS-68 condition can sell for several hundred dollars, but most high-end sales for the MS-67 grade fall in the $40 to $60 range.
