A Dave's Collectible Coins Article

Native American Dollars, Legends and Key Dates

In recent years, Native American Dollars have portrayed Native Americans of note on their reverse. This article shows these legends and describes their accomplishments. AND you can see the NEW 2020 Native American Dollar!

Native American Dollar 2020 – Elizabeth Pratrovich

“The theme of the 2020 Native American $1 Coin design is Elizabeth Peratrovich and Alaska’s Anti-Discrimination Law. The design features a portrait of Elizabeth Peratrovich, whose advocacy was considered a deciding factor in the passage of the 1945 Anti-Discrimination Law in the Alaskan territorial government. The foreground features a symbol of the Tlingit Raven moiety, of which she was a member. Inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “ELIZABETH PERATROVICH,” “$1,” and “ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW OF 1945.” United States Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill created the design and will sculpt it.

“This coin will be a lasting tribute to Elizabeth Peratrovich and her relentless efforts to tear down the wall of discrimination against Alaskan Natives,” said Mr. Hernandez. “We will proudly produce this coin that honors her bravery and determination.” ~ US Mint

Native American Dollar 2019 – Mary Golda Ross & John Herrington

 

“The theme of the 2019 Native American $1 Coin design is American Indians in the Space Program. Native Americans have been on the modern frontier of space flight since the beginning of NASA. Their contributions to the U.S. space program culminated in the space walks of John Herrington (Chickasaw Nation) on the International Space Station in 2002. This and other pioneering achievements date back to the work of Mary Golda Ross (Cherokee Nation). Considered the first Native American engineer in the U.S. space program, Ross helped develop the Agena spacecraft for the Gemini and Apollo space programs.” ~ US Mint

Native American Dollar 2018 – Jim Thorpe

Immortalized on the 2018 Sacagawea Dollar is Jim Thorpe, Olympian, baseball player and professional football player. The reverse design depicts Thorpe, with the foreground elements highlighting his football and Olympic achievements. Inscriptions are “JIM THORPE,” “WA-THO-HUK” (which translates to Bright Path, his native name). Jim Thorpe is memorialized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame building with a larger-than-life statue. He was also inducted into halls of fame for college football, American Olympic teams, and the national track and field competition.

Native American Dollar 2017 – Sequoyah

“Sequoyah adapted writing to the Cherokee language by devising symbols for each syllable. His achievement is one of a handful of examples in world history regarding the development of an original writing system. After 12 years of work, Sequoyah unveiled the alphabet in a demonstration with his daughter Ah-yo-ka. News spread quickly and Cherokees flocked to learn the system. In 1821, the Cherokee Nation adopted it as its own. Within months, thousands of Cherokee became literate.” ~ US Mint

KEY DATES

2000 P Cheerios Dollar – These were released in boxes of Cheerios to promote the new Sacagawea dollar. However, the die that was used was slightly different than any other. Specifically, the tail feathers have diagonal etchings. Get more info and photos in the References section below, article by The Spruce Crafts, The Cheerio Dollar.

2000 P Goodacre Presentation Specimens – The US Mint held a contest among artists to see who’s image would best serve for the face of the Sacagawea Dollar. Glenna Goodacre won the contest and requested that the prize of $5000.00 be paid to her in Sacagawea Dollars. This was a special minting and the coins have a distinctive look. She had them all sealed and sold them.

2000 P Wounded Eagle Die Variety – These coins have imperfections across the lower portion of the bird’s torso. For a photo, See The References section, The Spruce Crafts. Sacagawea Dollar Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties

2007 Sacagawea Dollar With Edge Lettering – Some Sacagawea Dollars were accidentally given edge lettering, like Presidential Dollars of the same year. Edge lettering for Sacagawea Dollars came a few years later, in 2009.

References:

The Spruce Crafts – Sacagawea Dollar Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/sacagawea-dollar-key-dates-rarities-768230

The Spruce Crafts – Cheerios Dollar: Why Is This Sacajawea Dollar Worth Thousands of Dollars?
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/cheerios-dollar-profile-768545

The Spruce Crafts – Sacagawea and Native American One Dollar Coin Values & Prices
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/sacagawea-native-american-dollar-values-4050507

The US Mint – 2017 Native American $1 Coin: Sequoyah
https://www.usmint.gov/learn/kids/library/native-american-dollar-coins/2017-sequoyah

The US Mint – 2018 Native American $1 Coin: Jim Thorpe
https://www.usmint.gov/learn/kids/library/native-american-dollar-coins/2018-jim-thorpe

The US Mint – 2019 Native American $1 Coin: American Indians In the Space Program
https://www.usmint.gov/learn/kids/library/native-american-dollar-coins/2019-american-indians-in-the-space-program

The US Mint – United States Mint Unveils 2020 Native American $1 Coin Reverse Design
https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/mint-unveils-2020-native-american-dollar-coin-reverse-design

 

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