1917 McKinley Dollar - 1917 McKinley G$1 PCGS MS66 CAC. 1917 McKinley Gold $1.00 PCGS MS66, CAC. Satiny mint luster is prominent on the reddish-golden surfaces of this Superb Gem 1917 McKinley gold dollar. The surfaces are original as attested to by the colors that remain. They are also free of abrasion marks or other distractions that can be seen without the aid of magnification. The strike is above average with full details on the obverse periphery and the entire reverse. The CAC sticker confirms the grade and also indicates that the coin is a premium quality piece with great eye-appeal.

The McKinley gold dollar was originally supposed to be a commemorative silver dollar. It was to be issued with McKinleys memorial. However, the president of the memorial association, Colonel Joseph Butler, pointed out that McKinley was elected based on his support for gold. William Jennings Bryant, his opponent, campaigned on a free silver platform.

Charles Barber designed obverse of the coin. Aside from the dates, the 1916 and 1917 pieces are identical. The obverse shows a bust of McKinley facing left. He is surrounded with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and McKINLEY DOLLAR below separated with periods. The reverse designed by George T. Morgan is a front view of the McKinley Birthplace Memorial in Niles, Ohio. It is inscribed McKINLEY BIRTHPLACE above with NILES and OHIO on either side of the flag. The date is below the horizontal line below the building and below that is MEMORIAL. The 1916 dollar is more plentiful than the 1917 one. Its official original sale price was $3.00.  

Charles E. Barber was the sixth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. He became Chief Engraver after the death of his father, William. He served from 1879 to 1917. He is best known for his designs of the Barber dime, quarter, and half dollar. In addition he designed the Liberty Head nickel, several commemoratives, and the Flowing Hair Stella pattern. Barber was born in London in 1840. He came to the United States in 1852 with his family. His father became an engraver at the Mint in Philadelphia. Following Longacres death, William Barber became the Chief Engraver and made his son, Charles, his assistant. In 1879, Charles Barber became the Chief Engraver despite the fact the George T. Morgan may have been more qualified or at least more talented.

George T. Morgan was born on January 4, 1845 in Birmingham, England. Morgan attended the Birmingham Art School and won a scholarship to the South Kensington Art School. He worked as an assistant under the Wyons at the British Royal Mint. In 1876 Morgan immigrated to the United States and was hired as an assistant to William Barber at the United States Mint. Morgan reported directly to Mint Director Henry R. Linderman, whose office was moved to Washington D.C. in 1873, no doubt upsetting Engraver Barber and his son, Assistant Engraver, Charles Barber. Morgan was involved in the production of pattern coins from 1877 until his death in 1925. He designed varieties of the 1877 half dollar, the Schoolgirl dollar of 1879, and the Shield Earring coins of 1882. He became the seventh Chief Engraver in 1917 with the death of Charles E. Barber.

In its population report, as of February 2013, CAC has confirmed 9 other 1917 McKinley dollars.  The present coin is tied for the finest known at CAC.