In addition to being one of the prettiest US coins ever made, the Sacagawea dollar can actually be super valuable. These coins have a face value of only one dollar, but their actual worth can be much higher. Some of the most valuable Sacagawea dollar coins can be worth six figures.
Check your pocket change for some of these beauties, which already stand out for their iconic gold coloring and beautiful design. Set them aside and grab your magnifying glass to look at the details.
Why the Sacagawea Dollar Is Valuable
The US Mint began issuing the Sacagawea dollar in 2000. It honors Sacagawea, the Shoshone Native American 15-year-old who helped guide Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition across what would later become the United States. The dollar coin was issued near the 200th anniversary of the expedition, which occurred from 1804 to 1806.
This is one of the few US coins to feature a woman, which alone makes it rare in a sense. Some years were made for collectors only, with the coins never released for circulation. In total, only about 71 billion of these coins were stamped, making them far less common than other US coins. The rarity of these coins makes them worth more than the one-dollar face value, and even a well-circulated 2001 Sacagawea dollar is usually worth at least $1.05.
Seven Most Valuable Sacagawea Dollar Coins
While any Sacagawea dollar is worth something, some stand out for their unique qualities. Minting errors, in particular, are among the most valuable coins. This quick-reference chart can help you see Sacagawea dollar values at a glance.
| Coin | Value |
|---|---|
| 2000-P Sacagawea dollar and statehood quarter mule | $144,000 |
| 2014-D Sacagawea dollar and presidential dollar mule | $84,000 |
| 2000-D Sacagawea dollar and South Carolina quarter mule | $66,000 |
| 2000 Lincoln cent on Sacagawea dollar | $35,000 |
| 2000-P Cheerios Sacagawea dollar | $34,500 |
| 2000-P Sacagawea dollar on Susan B. Anthony planchet | $16,800 |
| 2000-P Sacagawea dollar on Massachusetts quarter | $8,800 |
2000-P Sacagawea Dollar and Statehood Quarter Mule
In coin collecting, a "mule" is a coin that is made up of two different designs not usually seen on the same piece. In the case of the 2000-P Sacagawea dollar and statehood quarter mule, one side is stamped with Washington's head and the design for a quarter, while the other side features the back of a Sacagawea dollar with a soaring eagle design. The coin is the golden color of a Sacagawea dollar. There are only 18 known examples of this minting error, and one sold at auction in 2022 for $144,000.
2014-D Sacagawea Dollar and Presidential Dollar Mule
Another super valuable Sacagawea dollar coin is a mule with a presidential dollar. This mule coin has a Sacagawea dollar on the front and a presidential dollar on the back, and it's actually the only known example of this error. It's also one of those stories coin collectors love. This particular coin was just mixed in with a bag of dollar coins at a bank, and it was discovered in 2019. It sold at auction in 2021 for $84,000.
2000-D Sacagawea Dollar and South Carolina Quarter Mule
Yet another exciting error involving the Sacagawea dollar coin, this one happened at the Denver Mint in 2000 when the front of a Sacagawea dollar was paired with the back of a South Carolina statehood quarter. This coin wasn't even discovered for more than 20 years, and it sold in 2022 for $66,000. This is the only known example.
A mule coin is so rare because it is one of the only minting mistakes that results from human error. Historically, a few mule coins have been intentional, but most, like the valuable Sacagawea dollar coin mules, are simply regular mistakes.
2000 Lincoln Cent Struck on a Sacagawea Dollar
Minting errors are almost always valuable, and this remarkable example is no exception. In this coin, a normal Sacagawea dollar somehow ended up being stamped with a Lincoln cent. The date of the dollar coin is covered up by the penny stamp, but the penny dates to 2000. There is only one known example of this super cool error, and it sold in 2015 for over $35,000.
Related: American Silver & Gold Eagle Coins: Worth Their Weight in Gold
2000-P Cheerios Sacagawea Dollar Coin
When the Sacagawea dollar first came out in 2000, Cheerios cereal and the US Mint ran a promotion, where they gave away the coin in a few boxes of cereal. These Cheerios coins are rare, and in mint condition, they can be really valuable. These were the earliest strikes of the Sacagawea dollar, and the feathers on the eagle are all clearly defined. If you have one of these, it's worth getting it appraised. One sold for $34,500 in 2008.
2000-P Sacagawea Dollar on Susan B. Anthony Planchet
This unique coin is a Sacagawea dollar that was stamped on the planchet (or coin blank) for a Susan B. Anthony dollar. Instead of being the golden color of most Sacagawea dollars, it's silver colored like the Susan B. Anthony coins. This very rare minting error sold in 2022 for $16,800.
2000-P Sacagawea Dollar Struck on a Massachusetts Quarter
Yet another valuable minting error involves a Sacagawea dollar that was stamped on an already-struck Massachusetts quarter. You can see the design of the quarter beneath the portrait of Sacagawea. This rare coin sold in 2017 for over $8,800.
How do you know if you have a rare Sacagawea coin? Look for anything out of the ordinary, since minting errors tend to be valuable. We're talking overlapping stamps, weird color combinations, or two different coins somehow combined.
Check the Details on Your Coins
Because of their iconic glowing gold color, Sacagawea dollars are likely to catch your eye when you get them in change. Always take a closer look at these beauties, since they can be quite valuable. While not every single Sacagawea dollar coin's value is going to be in the hundreds or thousands, it's always worthwhile to grab that magnifying glass and check to see if you have a treasure.
