Native American Dollars

Coin Series

Native American Dollars were authorized under H.R. 2358 The Native American $1 Coin Act. This legislation provides for a new series of circulating dollar coins celebrating the contributions of Native Americans.

The obverse of the coin features the Sacagawea Dollar obverse design used from 2000-2008. This was designed by Glenna Goodacre to portray the young Shoshone woman who accompanied Lewis & Clark on their famous expedition. The inscriptions "Liberty" and "In God We Trust" will appear on the obverse of the coins.

The reverse will feature rotating designs, which will be changed annually. Each design will celebrate important figures and events from Native American history. Inscriptions reading "United States of America" and "$1" will appear on the reverse.

Coins  feature edge-incused lettering, similar to the Presidential Dollar coin series. The date and mint mark as well as the motto "E Pluribus Unum" will appear on the edge of the coins.

The 2009 Native American Dollar reverse design will featured a Native American woman planting seeds in a field. She is surrounded by corn, bean, and squash plants, which signify the Three Sisters method of planting. This reverse was designed and sculpted by Norman E. Nemeth. The coins were first released on January 2, 2009.

Native American Dollar coins will circulate along side the Presidential Dollar coin issues, making a total of five differently designed golden dollars each year. The authorizing legislation specifies that at least 20% of the total mintage of dollar coins for each year must be Native American Dollars. It also encourages the Secretary of the Treasury to carry out an aggressive, cost-effecting campaign to encourage use of the new dollar coins.

Coin Specifications

Dates: 2009 - ongoing
Mint: Philadelphia and Denver (circulating coins), San Francisco (proof coins)
Weight: 8.1 g
Composition: 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, 2% nickel
Diameter: 26.5 mm
Thickness: 2.0 mm