The History of the Sacagawea Coin

Few coins are as memorable and iconic as the Sacagawea coin (also called the Sacagawea dollar). Whether you already have a few of these coins in your collection or are trying to nab your first one, it helps to know the history of the Sacagawea coin to fully grasp the value of this unique bit of coinage history.

Who Was Sacagawea?

Sacagawea was a Shoshone Indian or Native American primarily known for her assistance on the historic Lewis and Clark expedition across the territory that would become the United States.

Image credit: PCGS COIN FACTS

Sacagawea’s Birth

The exact location of Sacagawea’s birth is not known. However, she was born to the Shoshone tribe, so she lived and traveled around the Northern Great Plains area, as well as previously undiscovered lands west of the Rocky Mountains.

At the age of 11, Sacagawea was captured by a raiding party from a rival tribe, the Hidatsa. She was enslaved by the Missouri River Mandans, then sold to a French Canadian fur trader named Toussaint Charbonneau. She later married Charbonneau, probably at the age of 13 or 14.

The Shoshone Woman and the Lewis and Clark Expedition

In the early 1800s, Lewis and Clark were hired to explore and chart much of the uncharted area west of the Mississippi River for the purposes of colonization, science, and commerce. Lewis and Clark knew that it would be wise to hire locals from the area, who would be better able to help them avoid hazards or communicate with Native American tribes encountered along the way.

Lewis and Clark hired Sacagawea’s husband as a guide, though they knew that the skills of his wife would be more valuable. Though she was only 15 years old at the time, she was already six months pregnant.

Throughout the expedition, Sacagawea contributed greatly, offering topographic knowledge of North America’s rugged country, as well as information to help the explorers find edible plants that were previously only known to Native Americans. She also notably rescued Capt. Clark’s journals from the Missouri River during an accident.

Sacagawea’s Spouse and Children

Sacagawea’s spouse and son, who was born during the trip, accompanied her on the historic expedition. Her infant son, in particular, was an important benefit to the expedition, as he served as a sign that the expedition was peaceful, which helped to navigate sensitive and potentially hostile territory.

Sacagawea’s Death

Unfortunately, Sacagawea died at the age of 25, though she gave birth to a daughter before passing away. Sacagawea was buried in Lander, Wyoming.

After her death, Clark told Charbonneau that she deserved a much greater reward than what she was given by the expedition and later voiced a sense of indebtedness to her. Clark educated Sacagawea’s son and daughter after her passing.

A Notable Native American Woman in Popular Culture

To this day, Sacagawea remains an important Native American woman in pop culture and in American history. Without her, there’s no doubt that the historic Lewis and Clark expedition would have been far less successful — if it even returned at all.

What Is the Sacagawea Dollar Coin?

The Sacagawea dollar coin is a popular collector’s coin that saw some circulation at the beginning of the millennium. However, it is now mostly a coin sought after by numismatic collectors who see the value in owning and preserving these rare, valuable coins. Far fewer were minted in comparison to modern coins of other denominations.

In June 1998, the Dollar Coin Design Advisory Committee, or DCDAC, met in Philadelphia to determine what the design for a new gold dollar would be. Because the committee listened to 17 distinct concept presentations, they eventually discovered a design bearing the image of Sacagawea, and this image was chosen for the new coin.

How Much Is a Sacagawea Coin Worth?

Most standard Sacagawea dollars, minted from 2000 to 2008, are worth their face value of $1 when circulated. However, uncirculated coins, particularly those in brilliant uncirculated condition or those graded by professional services like PCGS or NGC, can be worth between $2 to $10, depending on their quality and market demand.

A Cheerios Dollar in high grade can be extremely valuable due to its rarity and the unique circumstances of its distribution. The highest price ever paid for a Cheerios dollar was $29,900 for a 2000-P $1 Cheerios MS68 PCGS specimen in the May 2008 Heritage Auction in Long Beach, California, at the Signature Auction #1108.

However, prices can vary widely based on the coin's condition and the market at the time of sale. It's worth noting that coin values fluctuate, and exceptionally rare or unique specimens could potentially fetch higher prices at auction.

Circulated Coins: Most circulated Sacagawea coins from 2000 onwards are worth their face value of $1. These are common and were widely produced.

Uncirculated and Proof Coins: Uncirculated coins and proof coins, especially those from special mint sets, can be worth several dollars to $20 or more. The value increases with the coin's condition and rarity of the mint set.

Cheerios Dollar: The 2000-P Sacagawea coin, known as the "Cheerios Dollar," is more valuable due to its detailed tail feather design. These can range from several hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on condition.

Wounded Eagle Dollar: The 2000-P "Wounded Eagle" Sacagawea dollar, identified by a die gouge on the reverse side of the coin, can also fetch a higher price, often several hundred dollars.

Goodacre Presentation Finish: The 2000-P Sacagawea dollars with a special finish given to 5,000 coins handed to the coin's designer, Glenna Goodacre, can be worth $500 or more.

Native American Series (2009-present): Coins from this series, which features annually changing reverse designs commemorating Native American history, might carry a slight premium, especially in proof or uncirculated conditions.

Error Coins: Sacagawea coins with minting errors (e.g., double strikes, off-center errors) can be significantly more valuable, with prices depending on the rarity and type of error.

Notable Sacagawea Coin Auctions

Notable Sacagawea coin auctions have captured the attention of collectors due to the rarity and uniqueness of certain pieces. One of the most significant sales involved the 2000-P Cheerios Sacagawea Dollar, a special issue distributed in Cheerios cereal boxes to promote the new Sacagawea Golden Dollar. These coins are rare because they have a unique reverse design, and some have fetched thousands at auctions like Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers Galleries, with prices reaching as high as $10,000 for coins in proof-graded condition.

Another intriguing auction involved the 2000 Lincoln Cent struck on a Sacagawea dollar planchet, a dramatic mint error where a penny was mistakenly struck on the larger Sacagawea planchet. These error coins are highly sought after by collectors due to their rarity, with auction houses like Compass Auctions & Real Estate and Saco River Auctionshowcasing them in sales. Such notable auctions highlight the increasing value of mint errors and rare statusSacagawea dollars, making them key finds for numismatic enthusiasts.

Mint Marks on the Sacagawea Coin: Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco

The Sacagawea coin was minted in three locations: Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Therefore, you can find three different mint marks stamped onto these coins: a “D” for Denver, a “P” for Philadelphia, and an “S” for San Francisco.

Who Made the Final Design for the Sacagawea Coin for the U.S. Mint?

The sculptor Glenna Goodacre created the final design for the Sacagawea coin. The design was unveiled at the White House on May 4, 1999. The design was created after consulting with Native American representatives and historians, who helped to choose the “Sacagawea” spelling.

Where Was the Sacagawea Golden Dollar Minted?

The Sacagawea Golden Dollar was minted at three locations, as mentioned above: Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Philadelphia likely minted the first Sacagawea golden dollars, though it’s not clear where the first dollars entered circulation.

What Materials Were Used To Make Sacagawea Coins?

The physical makeup of the Sacagawea coin consists of three layers. It includes a layer of pure copper that is sandwiched between two outer layers of manganese brass. The manganese brass is composed of 77% copper, 12% zinc, 7% manganese, and 4% nickel.

As a result, the Sacagawea Golden Dollar has a final material composition of 2% nickel, 3.5% manganese, 6% zinc, and 88.5% copper.

Because Sacagawea coins have such a high copper content, they tend to have a very high market or melt value.

The “Cheerios Dollar” Sacagawea Coins in Boxes of Cheerios Cereal

In early 2000, Sacagawea dollars were inserted into certain randomized Cheerios cereal boxes in order to raise awareness about the new dollar’s design. Approximately 5500 boxes of Cheerios were shipped out with Sacagawea dollars hidden within.

As a result, Sacagawea “Cheerios dollars” are some of the rarest and most sought-after coins of this type. You can tell whether a Sacagawea dollar is a Cheerios dollar by looking at the tailfeathers of the Eagle on the reverse side. The feathers look like little Cheerios instead of being wavy lines.

If you find a Sacagawea Cheerios dollar, be aware that you have one of the rarest and most valuable iterations of this dollar design. Sacagawea Cheerios dollars can be worth many more thousands of dollars than their standard counterparts.

Does the United States Mint Still Produce Sacagawea Coins?

Sacagawea coins are no longer produced by the U.S. mint. Sacagawea Golden dollars were minted for collectors specifically from 2002 to 2008. Other Native American dollars are still minted according to U.S. law, even though they are not used very often in circulation.

Rare Sacagawea Coins to Add to Your Coin Collection

As you can see, there are many reasons why Sacagawea coins are still sought after to this day. Fortunately, you can find rare Sacagawea coins and add them to your collection by checking out trusted dealers like Bullion Shark.

With our extensive marketplace of rare and valuable coins, we’re sure you’ll find the coin you’re looking for in no time.

FAQs

1. What is a Sacagawea coin?

A Sacagawea coin, also known as the Sacagawea dollar, is a U.S. dollar coin that has been minted since the year 2000. It features the likeness of Sacagawea, a Shoshone Native American who played a crucial role in the Lewis and Clark expedition, on the obverse and a soaring eagle on the reverse in its original design. The coin was introduced to replace the Susan B. Anthony dollar and to improve the durability and reduce the production costs of dollar coins.

2. Why was Sacagawea chosen for the dollar coin?

Sacagawea was chosen for the dollar coin to honor her significant contributions to the success of the Lewis and Clark expedition as a guide and interpreter. Her presence on the expedition symbolized peace and helped the team in negotiations with Native American tribes. The U.S. Mint aimed to commemorate her contributions to American history and her role as a symbol of women's worth and independence.

3. Are Sacagawea coins still being made?

Yes, Sacagawea coins are still being produced, but primarily for collectors since 2002. While the original Sacagawea design was minted from 2000 to 2008, the coin series was updated in 2009 to feature rotating reverse designs celebrating Native American contributions to the history and development of the United States, known as the Native American $1 Coin Program.

4. What makes some Sacagawea coins valuable?

Some Sacagawea coins are valuable due to their rarity, mint errors, or special editions. For example, the 2000-P "Cheerios" Sacagawea dollar, which was distributed in cereal boxes as part of a promotional campaign, is particularly valuable because it features a distinctive tail feather detail on the reverse side. Other valuable variations include proof coins and those with low mintage numbers or errors.

5. How can I tell if my Sacagawea coin is valuable?

To determine if your Sacagawea coin is valuable, examine the mint year, mint mark, condition, and any unique features or errors. Coins with low mintage, special designs (like the "Cheerios" dollar), or mint errors may be more valuable. Consulting a coin value guide or having the coin appraised by a professional can provide a more accurate assessment.

6. What are the mint marks on Sacagawea coins?

Sacagawea coins feature mint marks that indicate where the coin was produced. The mint marks include "P" for the Philadelphia Mint, "D" for the Denver Mint, and "S" for the San Francisco Mint (primarily for proof coins). The mint mark is located on the edge of the coin for those minted from 2009 onwards and on the obverse below the date for coins minted from 2000 to 2008.

7. How should I store and care for my Sacagawea coins?

To properly store and care for Sacagawea coins, keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent tarnishing. Use acid-free holders, such as coin flips, capsules, or albums, to protect the coins from scratches and environmental damage. Avoid handling the coins with bare hands to prevent oils from your skin from causing corrosion or wear. Regularly check your storage environment to ensure it remains suitable for preserving the coins' condition.

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