1916 $ McKinley PCGS MS64

The 1916 McKinley Gold Dollar is a remarkable piece of early 20th-century American commemorative coinage, celebrating both the life of President William McKinley and the Panama-Pacific Exposition held in San Francisco. This example has been graded MS64 by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), ensuring that it offers superior quality, strong eye appeal, and a high degree of preservation for collectors.

Authorized by Congress and struck at the Philadelphia Mint, the McKinley Gold Dollar was issued to help fund the construction of a memorial in Niles, Ohio, McKinley’s birthplace. The memorial project was part of the broader commemorative coin programs that were popular in the early 1900s, often tied to important national events and historical figures. The 1916 issue followed the 1915 Panama-Pacific gold dollars and shares the same denomination, weight, and size.

The obverse of the coin, designed by Charles E. Barber, features a portrait of William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, who served from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. His leadership during the Spanish-American War and his role in promoting American industry made him a highly respected figure. Barber’s detailed engraving captures McKinley in a dignified profile, surrounded by the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date 1916.

The reverse, designed by George T. Morgan, depicts the McKinley Birthplace Memorial building, a neoclassical structure completed in 1917. The reverse inscriptions include the denomination ONE DOLLAR and the phrase MCKINLEY BIRTHPLACE MEMORIAL, highlighting the coin’s purpose as both a fundraising tool and a commemorative keepsake.

The 1916 McKinley Gold Dollar is small in size, measuring just 14.30 millimeters in diameter and weighing 1.70 grams, yet it contains 90 percent gold and 10 percent copper. Its compact form and high intrinsic value make it a fascinating example of how the U.S. Mint combined precious metal content with historical tribute.

With a total mintage of only 9,977 coins, the 1916 issue ranks among the scarcer gold commemoratives. Many were sold to the public as souvenirs, while others were lost to melting over the years, leaving a relatively small number of survivors. High-grade examples like this MS64 piece are particularly desirable due to the coin’s tiny surface area, which makes it challenging to preserve without marks or wear.

Graded MS64 by PCGS, this coin exhibits rich, satiny luster and sharp design details, with only minimal marks visible under magnification. It sits just below the gem level, offering outstanding quality without the price jump that accompanies higher grades. Collectors will appreciate the crisp strike, well-preserved surfaces, and vibrant eye appeal that define this example.

This coin holds significance for several groups of collectors. For those who specialize in U.S. gold commemoratives, it is an essential piece within a short but historically important series. For presidential memorabilia enthusiasts, it represents a direct connection to a pivotal figure in American history. For numismatists in general, it offers a blend of artistry, low mintage, and historical relevance that few coins can match.

Owning a 1916 McKinley Gold Dollar is more than just acquiring a collectible. It is a way to hold a tangible link to America’s early 20th-century commemorative coin programs and the era of small-denomination gold coinage. This MS64 example from PCGS offers a rare opportunity to secure a high-quality specimen of this low-mintage issue, perfectly suited for an advanced U.S. coin collection or a long-term investment in numismatic gold.