Sacagawea Dollar (2000 to Present)

Overview

Ever since it was first introduced in the year 2000, the Sacagawea dollar has developed into a great tribute to the history and culture of Native Americans. On this coin, which is the first coinage in the United States to depict a Native American woman, Sacagawea, a Shoshone guide who played an important role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition, is commemorated. Sacagawea was vital in the expedition. Additionally, the currency continues to be manufactured for numismatic purposes and continues to be popular among collectors, even though it was never able to gain broad circulation.

As part of the Coinage Act of 1997, a new dollar coin was proposed to be introduced. This piece would be identical in size and weight to the Susan B. Anthony dollar, except it would be coloured gold and have a plain edge. Following the conclusion of a nationwide competition, a new design was selected, which included a depiction of Sacagawea, a Shoshone Indian, as she was cradling her young son, Jean-Baptiste. There was a significant amount of publicity around the currency, and roughly three-quarters of a billion Sacagawea dollars were produced for circulation. Following an early surge of excitement, the demand for dollar coins began to decrease, and mintages began to decrease to between 5 and 6 million coins annually beginning in the year 2002. Sacagawea dollars are rarely seen outside of collecting circles, and the public views them as peculiarities or annoyances most of the time. This is even though considerable marketing attempts have been made to promote them.

• • On the obverse of the coin, which was designed by the artist Glenna Goodacre, there is a depiction of Sacagawea bearing her baby son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, facing right. The phrase "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the year the coin was minted are engraved down the edges of the coin, while the word "LIBERTY" is prominently displayed over her head.
• • Designed by Thomas D. Rogers Sr., the back of the coin at first featured a bald eagle in flight surrounded by seventeen stars. These stars were supposed to show the number of currently existing states. This design was employed from 2000 to 2008 before transitioning to the Native American $1 Coin program, which presented new reverse designs every year to recognize the contributions that Native Americans have made to the history of the United States of America primarily via the use of reverse designs.

While the San Francisco Mint is responsible for producing proofs of this coin, the Philadelphia and Denver mints are the ones responsible for striking the Sacagawea dollar specifically for public circulation. In many ways, the Sacagawea dollar is a coin that is quite uncommon. The Sacagawea dollar coin is extremely scarce, which contributes to its rarity.

• • The 2000-P Cheerios Dollar is a limited-edition variant that is only available in certain Cheerios cereal boxes. It is distinguished by the improved tail feather details on the eagle.
• • Special coins produced as the 2000-P Goodacre Presentation Coins.
• • These reverses highlight significant Native American people and cultural accomplishments, making them interesting to collectors. With each new reverse design, the series has been changing yearly since 2009.