In December 2005, Congress approved the creation of a new dollar coinage, known as Presidential dollars, and President George W. Bush signed the legislation into law shortly afterward. During each year from 2007 to 2016, four different dollar designs, each bearing the image of a different president, are being released.
Living presidents, both current and former, are excluded from the program this is why the series concluded with no James Carter being minted in the series.
The Presidential dollars are part of the Golden Dollar Program and retain the same golden color as the Sacagawea dollars. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears in edge lettering a first for a U.S. coin, as the motto has never before appeared on the rim. The year of issue is likewise on the rim.