2008-D Martin Van Buren Presidential $1 Coin : A Collector’s Guide
By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
The 2008-D Martin Van Buren Presidential Dollar is a one-dollar coin struck at the Denver Mint as part of the Presidential Dollar series. Congress intended the release of these designs honoring America’s past Presidents to engage the American public with the history of the nation and to reinvigorate the flagging golden dollar coin program.
The Van Buren Dollar was the fourth and final release of the year, joining dollar coins honoring James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson.
Martin Van Buren’s Complicated Legacy
Martin Van Buren was the eighth president of the United States, serving from 1837 to 1841. Van Buren, whose first language was Dutch, was the first president born on United States soil, one of only two to ascend to the presidency without ever having served in the military or attended college, the first to have an indoor toilet, and is credited by some as the inventor of the modern two-party system.
Van Buren was a savvy politician, who rose up the ranks of New York politics before making a name for himself in Washington–first as Secretary of State in the Jackson Administration, then as Jackson’s Vice President. As Vice President, Van Buren was Jackson’s trusted ally, and he continued many of Jackson’s policies during his own presidency – including the brutal Indian Removal Act.
The 2008-D Martin Van Buren Presidential Dollar Coin Design
United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) participant Joel Iskowitz based his design for the Martin Van Buren Presidential Dollar on artist George Peter Alexander Healy’s official 1858 portrait of the President. The design shows Van Buren facing forward, wearing a suit jacket, dress shirt, and cravat. Van Buren’s contemporaries were well aware of his short stature. At 5’6″, Van Buren was considerably shorter than Jackson and just two inches taller than the nation’s shortest president, James Madison, who stood 5’4″. It was partly because of his height that Van Buren’s contemporaries called him the “Little Magician.” Without the benefit of seeing the man in person, Americans now most remember him as the President with the massive sideburns; photographs taken late in life show a man with wild, untamed hair.
Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill sculpted Iskowitz’s design.
2008-D Martin Van Buren, Satin Finish
In 2008, the United States Mint produced Satin Finish coins for its annual Uncirculated Coin Sets. This created a dilemma for collectors, who for years had built their collections based on business strike coins and Proofs. Would Satin Finish Mint Set coins suffice or would they need to acquire additional circulation strikes in order to complete their collections?
A positive aspect of the Satin Finish subset of coins is that they were produced to high quality standards. It is not unusual for these coins to grade SP68 – a cut above circulation strikes that more frequently come into contact with other coins. This comes with a trade-off, however, with luster being more subdued as the Satin Finish makes the Mint Set coins less reflective.
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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens
Business Strikes
Top Population: PCGS MS67 (24, 1/2025), NGC MS67 (9, 1/2025), and CAC N/A (0, 1/2025).
- Uncirculated Raw: eBay, January 16, 2025 – $1.75.
- Uncirculated Raw: eBay, Janaury 14, 2025 – $2.90.
- $25 Uncirculated Roll: January 23, 2025 – $37.50.
- Uncirculated Raw: January 12, 2025 – $2.89.
Satin Finish (SMS Coins)
Top Population: PCGS SP67 (41, 1/2025), NGC MS68 (64, 1/2025), and CAC N/A (0, 1/2025).
- PCGS SP68: eBay, January 6, 2025 – $7.
- NGC MS67: eBay, December 10, 2024 – $70. Best Offer.
- NGC MS67: eBay, November 12, 2024 – $5.
- Mint Set Raw Coin: January 13, 2025 – $7.95.
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Design
Obverse: Van Buren faces forward. On Van Buren’s left and right lapels are the artists’ initials JI and PH, respectively. The inscription MARTIN VAN BUREN wraps around the top of the coin, and 8th PRESIDENT 1837-1841 wraps around the bottom.
Reverse:
Don Everhart’s reverse design features an ant’s-eye view of the Statue of Liberty offset to the left. On the coin, Liberty occupies the bottom right quadrant of the coin, her extended elbow being the coin’s center point. The design is framed by a thin inner circle, which separates the graphic design from the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Beneath Liberty’s extended torch-bearing arm is the denomination $1. This is the common reverse design for all Presidential Dollar coins. Everhart’s stylized initials or monogram DE are tucked away in the folds of Liberty’s gown, on the right near the tablet.
Edge:
The edge of the Presidential Dollar is lettered and features the mottos IN GOD WE TRUST and E PLURIBUS UNUM, the year of issuance, the mintmark, and 13 five-pointed stars. This edge inscription may be oriented facing the obverse (Position A) or the reverse (Position B).
Coin Specifications
| Country: | United States of America |
| Year of Issue: | 2008 |
| Denomination: | One Dollar (USD) |
| Mintmark: | D (Denver) |
| Mintage: | 50,960,000 (Mint State), 745,464 (Satin Finish) |
| Alloy: | .770 Copper, .120 Zinc, 0.070 Manganese, 0.040 Nickel |
| Weight: | 8.10 g |
| Diameter: | 26.55 mm |
| Edge: | Lettered: E PLURIBUS UNUM 2008 D IN GOD WE TRUST |
| OBV Designer: | Joel Iskowitz (design) | Phebe Hemphill (sculpt) |
| REV Designer: | Don Everhart |
| Quality: | Business Strike, Satin Finish |
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The post 2008-D Martin Van Buren Presidential $1 Coin : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.
1. **Image Caption:** A crisp, clear depiction of the 2008-D Van Buren dollar. The image highlights the details of the design nicely.
2. **Article Body:** The article provides a concise overview of Van Buren’s presidency, tying it effectively to the coin’s design and historical context. The mention of his height and the nickname “Little Magician” adds a human touch.
3. **Satin Finish Section:** The discussion of the satin finish and its impact on collecting is particularly relevant for those building sets of these dollars. The comparison to business strikes is helpful.
4. **Market Data:** The inclusion of up-to-date market data is valuable for collectors looking to buy or sell these coins. The range of prices shown illustrates the market dynamics well.
5. **Coin Specifications Table:** The comprehensive table of specifications is a useful reference for collectors and researchers alike. It covers all the key details in an easy-to-read format.