On January 27, 2000, the Sacagawea coin was formally put into circulation. Although not frequently valuable, it is a well-liked coin among coin collectors; however, a few Sacagawea dollars are pretty valuable.
How would you determine if you have one of those priceless Sacagawea coins? Read on to find out!
History of the Sacagawea Dollar Coin
Over the past 50 years, multiple attempts have introduced a dollar coin into circulation have yet to be particularly successful.
The 1.5-inch-diameter Eisenhower dollars, issued from 1971 to 1978, were abnormally large by coin criteria and only really took off as casino tokens. A dollar coin honoring Susan B. Anthony was introduced in 1979, but it was removed by 1981.
The US Dollar Coin Act, a piece of legislation mandating the reintroduction of the dollar coin, was approved by Congress in 1997. The United States $1 Coin Act of 1997 was part of the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act, signed by President Bill Clinton in December.
The public was given a chance to suggest designs for the coin in June 1998. Robert Rubin, the secretary of the Treasury, assembled a committee to advise on dollar coin design. They mandated that the first coin include portrayals of no living person and at least one woman.
Sacagawea, a Native American woman who led the Clark and Lewis expedition to the Pacific Ocean, was chosen as the design concept by the committee in charge. Sacagawea triumphed despite a widely-accepted public opinion poll showing a preference for the Statue of Liberty.
The Sacagawea Dollar Coin Design
According to the dollar coin competition rules, Sacagawea had to be shown on the front of the coin, and an eagle, a symbol of freedom and peace, had to be displayed on the reverse.
Glenna Goodacre, a sculptor, was chosen by the United States Commission of Fine Arts to create the final designs for the coin’s obverse side. Sacagawea and Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, her infant son, were depicted in the design.
Randy’L He-dow Teton, a contemporary Shoshone college student, served as the coin’s model. Thomas D. Rogers, a sculptor and engraver for the US Mint won for his soaring eagle reverse design. The words E Pluribus Unum, United States of America, and One Dollar, were also featured on the coin’s reverse. The coin featured these images from 2000 to 2008, which was modified in 2009.
Sacagawea Dollar Coin Composition
The Sacagawea Dollar coin, also known as the Golden Dollar, has a diameter of 1.043 inches and a thickness of.079 inches, and a weight of 8.1 grams. A copper core makes up 88.5% of the total metal used, along with 2% nickel, 3.5% manganese, and 6% zinc. The exterior of this US dollar coin was made of manganese brass for the first time, giving it a golden color.
Coins for the Sacagawea Golden Dollar were produced at four mints:
- Philadelphia (P)
- Denver (D)
- San Francisco (S)
- West Point (W) special striking only
Sacagawea Dollar Coin Values
When Sacagawea dollars are circulated, they are only worth their face value. Regardless of the mintmark, this is true for all coins minted in 2000 P and D and all coins reissued in 2001 and later.
In uncirculated condition, all 2009 and later coins are worth between $1.50 and $2. Uncirculated values are rising slightly. Regardless of mintage, coins from 2001 and 2002, as well as those from 2007 and 2008, have values ranging from $1.50 to $2.50. The price range for 2003 P coins is $3 to $4. Up to $3.50 can be earned from all 2005 and 2006 P coins.
All 2004 Sacagawea Dollars, including the 2003 D, range in price from $3.50 to $5.00. The more expensive 2006 D example is worth $5 to $7.
Most Valuable Sacagawea Dollars
Now we come to the Sacagawea dollar coins, which can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Watch for these uncommon variations while keeping an eye out for the standard Sacagawea dollars, which are still only worth one dollar. A treasure could roll your way at any time.
Sacagawea Coin 2000-P Wounded Eagle
The three raised die errors on the Eagle on the Sacagawea dollar coin’s reverse side are the source of the term “wounded eagle.” Only about 200 of these marks are known, and no one has concluded why they are on the coin.
Two of the marks are on the upper wing, and one is on the chest. Even though numismatic experts know where to look, you might need a microscope or a strong magnifying glass to see the flaws.
The “wounded eagle” Sacagawea coin is worth about $250 in circulated condition. They can be worth close to $500 in uncirculated condition.
2000-P Presentation Sacagawea Coin
These “presentation” coins were produced in 5,000 pieces. Why 5,000? Glenna Goodacre received these specific coins as payment for creating the dollar’s obverse design. They were minted on burnished planchets, which gave them a rougher texture and a different visual appeal from circulated coins. Glenna received $200 for each of the 3,000 coins she sold. There have yet to be any discovered in circulation; if they had, their worth would be roughly $350.
2007-D Sacagawea Dollar Coin
Only one Sacagawea dollar with Presidential dollar edge lettering, as opposed to the more common plain edge, has been positively identified. The coin was found in change by Colorado coin collector Andrew Moores. PGS has graded the error coin as being in Mint State 62 condition. About ten years ago, the scarce coin brought more than $17,000 at a Great Collections auction.
Sacagawea Coin 2000-P Cheerios Dollar
Values for the Cheerios coin significantly increase. Let’s provide some context. General Mills decided to distribute 2,000 coins to publicize the coin’s release.
They accomplished this by including them as a prize in 2,000 boxes of Cheerios, while the other 10,000,000 boxes contained 2000 Lincoln pennies each. Interestingly, a prototype die was used to stamp the reverse side of these 1999-issued dollars.
Among other minor variations, the Eagle’s tail feathers had more texture. So what’s the value of these Cheerios dollars?
The value of circulated pieces could reach $1,500, and a rare specimen could be worth more than $3,000. You might want to open any boxes of Cheerios from 2000 still in the pantry.
Sacagawea Dollar Coin Mint Sets
There are affordable options for numismatists and coin collectors who prefer acquiring the entire Sacagawea coins. 22-coin as the whole set from the US Mint is available for $300 and comes with an extra proof dollar. One Sacagawea coin from each year between 2000 and 2022 is included in the set. The San Francisco mint is where the entire collection of coins is produced.
SEE: 2009 Penny: Features and Value
Sacagawea Dollar Coin Errors
Other mistakes were also made, aside from the raised die error on the wounded Eagle dollar coins. A coin collector discovered a stunning flaw in a roll of Sacagawea coins in early 2000.
Sacagawea Mule Error
The collector discovered the “Mule Error.” His coin had the obverse of a Statehood quarter and the reverse of a standard Sacagawea coin. The origin of Mule Error coins can be traced to the US Mint’s die room, where a quarter’s obverse die was accidentally applied to the Sacagawea dollar. An NGC-certified coin with a mule error once brought $84,000 at an auction in Dallas.
Sacagawea Dollar Coin Price Chart
The “buy price” is the price a coin dealer will ask you to pay to buy the coin. The amount a coin dealer will offer you when you sell it is known as the “sell value.” The values are given for a standard uncirculated Sacagawea coin and a typical circulated coin. The retail and wholesale discounts listed here are approximations. Of course, the offer you get from a specific coin dealer will differ based on the coin’s actual grade and other elements that affect its value.
| Date & Mint | Circ. Buy | Circ. Sell | Unc. Buy | Unc. Sell |
| 2000 P | F.V. | F.V. | $1.50 | F.V. |
| 2000 P Cheerios * | $1,500.00 | $1,200.00 | $3,000.00 | $2,600.00 |
| 2000 P Wounded Eagle * | $275.00 | $225.00 | $475.00 | $390.00 |
| 2000 P Presentation * | $300.00 | $225.00 | $350.00 | $300.00 |
| 2000 D | F.V. | F.V. | $1.50 | F.V. |
| 2001 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.50 | $1.50 |
| 2001 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.50 | $1.50 |
| 2002 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.50 | $1.50 |
| 2002 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.50 | $1.50 |
| 2003 P | F.V. | F.V. | $4.00 | $3.00 |
| 2003 D | F.V. | F.V. | $5.00 | $3.50 |
| 2004 P | F.V. | F.V. | $5.00 | $3.50 |
| 2004 D | F.V. | F.V. | $5.00 | $3.50 |
| 2005 P | F.V. | F.V. | $3.50 | $2.75 |
| 2005 D | F.V. | F.V. | $3.50 | $2.75 |
| 2006 P | F.V. | F.V. | $3.50 | $2.75 |
| 2006 D | F.V. | F.V. | $7.00 | $5.25 |
| 2007 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2007 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2008 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2008 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| Native American Dollar Series | ||||
| 2009 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2009 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2010 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2010 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2011 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2011 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2012 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2012 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2013 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2013 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2014 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2014 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2015 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2015 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2016 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2016 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2017 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2017 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2018 P | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| 2018 D | F.V. | F.V. | $2.00 | $1.50 |