1916 G$1 McKinley

Description

1916 $1 McKinley Commemorative Gold Dollar, PCGS MS66. In early 1916, Congress authorized the issuance of 100,000 gold dollars to be sold at $3 each to raise funds for a memorial to President William McKinley in Niles, Ohio. Despite these ambitious plans, only 20,026 pieces were actually struck in August and October 1916 at the Philadelphia Mint. The National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Association sold approximately 8,000 pieces directly to the public, while roughly 7,000 were distributed to Texas dealer B. Max Mehl at reduced prices. The remaining unsold coins were returned to the Mint and destroyed, resulting in an estimated 15,000 pieces entering public hands—a fraction of the original authorization. This example, graded PCGS MS66, represents a high-quality specimen of this commemorative issue. Designed by the renowned numismatic artists Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan, the coin displays the characteristic sharpness and eye appeal expected of the grade. Composed of 90% gold and 10% copper with a reeded edge, this diminutive dollar weighs 1.7 grams and measures 14.3mm in diameter. The Philadelphia Mint mark (P) identifies this as a product of the main coining facility. Virtually all known McKinley dollars are Mint State, with an exceptionally high survival rate due to their limited distribution and subsequent preservation. PCGS has certified over 4,000 examples, with the bulk grading MS64. Gems like this MS66 are readily obtainable, though MS67 pieces command premium prices. With only 185 coins graded higher than this specimen across all grading services, this MS66 represents an attractive balance of quality and value for the serious commemorative collector.