Sacagawea Dollars, also known as Native American Dollars, are a series of U.S. dollar coins that were first minted in the year 2000. They were introduced to honor the Shoshone woman Sacagawea, who played a crucial role as a guide and interpreter during the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 19th century.

Description of Sacagawea (Native American) Dollars:

• Obverse design: The obverse of the Sacagawea Dollar features a striking portrait of Sacagawea with her infant son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, strapped to her back. The design was created by sculptor Glenna Goodacre, and it beautifully portrays Sacagawea in a historically accurate manner.
• Reverse design: The reverse design of the Sacagawea Dollar changes annually starting in 2009, showcasing the contributions of various Native American tribes and their cultural achievements. These designs are part of the Native American Dollar Program, which began in 2009 and continues to this day.
• Composition: Sacagawea Dollars are composed of a copper-nickel clad (outer layers of copper-nickel bonded to an inner core of pure copper). The coin has a diameter of 26.5 mm, similar to the Susan B. Anthony Dollar, but it has distinctive golden coloration.
• Security features: Sacagawea Dollars have unique security features, which is a smooth edge with inscriptions and a special golden color, to distinguish them from other coins in circulation. These features were introduced to prevent counterfeiting and make the coins easily recognizable.
• Native American Dollar Program: In 2009, the U.S. Mint initiated the Native American Dollar Program, changing the reverse design each year to highlight the contributions of Native American tribes to the history and development of the United States. These themes are selected in consultation with tribal representatives to ensure cultural accuracy and respect.

Name Change:

Originally, the series was referred to as “Sacagawea Dollars” in honor of the historical figure depicted on the obverse. However, there was a widespread misconception among the public about the pronunciation and spelling of “Sacagawea.” Many people mistakenly referred to it as “Sacajawea” or other variations.

To address this issue and better reflect the focus on Native American contributions, the U.S. Mint decided to rename the series as “Native American Dollars” beginning in 2009. The name change aimed to draw attention to the rotating reverse designs celebrating Native American cultures while still honoring Sacagawea’s important historical role.

Today, the coins are commonly referred to as both “Sacagawea Dollars” and “Native American Dollars” interchangeably, and they continue to hold cultural and historical significance as part of the U.S. Mint’s efforts to recognize and honor the contributions of Native Americans to the nation’s heritage.