Most 2000-P Sacagawea dollars are worth face value ($1). But a rare tail-feather anomaly can turn one of these into a museum-quality prize — auction records show specimens have reached as much as $29,900. 
Here’s a clean, HitMag-friendly breakdown to help you spot, authenticate, and sell one like a pro.
Here’s a clean, HitMag-friendly breakdown to help you spot, authenticate, and sell one like a pro.
Quick Snapshot
- Coin: 2000-P Sacagawea Dollar (Philadelphia)
- Error: Tail-feather striations / raised lines (die gouge) on the eagle reverse
- Top recorded price: Up to $29,900 (auction, pristine certified examples)
- Why it matters: Modern error + high collector demand + scarce surviving examples
Step 1 — What to Look For (Identification)
Obverse (front): Sacagawea carrying baby Jean Baptiste — must read “2000” and show P mint mark.
Reverse (back — eagle):
- Normal coins = smooth leftmost tail feather.
- Error variety = raised striations/lines on the leftmost tail feather — look like tiny veins or ridges.
- These raised lines are caused by a die gouge (extra metal pushed up during striking), not post-mint scratches.
Quick test: Hold under bright light and tilt slowly; the raised die lines catch light differently than scratches.
Step 2 — 5 Easy Authentication Steps
- Magnify the feather. Use a 10× jeweler’s loupe or microscope. Look for raised metal — not surface scratches.
- Confirm date & mint. Must be 2000-P (Philadelphia).
- Rule out damage. Scratches that cut across details are post-mint — not valuable. Die lines rise from the surface; scratches do not.
- Compare to known examples. Match line pattern and location to photos of certified specimens.
- Submit for grading. If it checks out, send to PCGS or NGC — only certified examples fetch top auction prices.
Important: Only graded, well-photographed, documented examples will reach the top price tiers.
Step 3 — Why This Error Reaches $29,900
- Rarity: Very few 2000-P Sacagawea dollars were struck with this exact die gouge.
- Modern error popularity: Collectors and error-coin specialists highly prize distinctive modern anomalies.
- Auction validation: High hammer prices create precedent — buyers are willing to pay for documented rarity and top grades.
Step 4 — Where to Sell (Best Options)
- Major auction houses: Heritage, Stack’s Bowers, Sotheby’s (rare cases)
- Reputable error-coin dealers with auction consignments
- Well-vetted online auction platforms (only with certified coins)
- Coin shows / conventions (for preliminary offers)
Pro tip: Auction consignments often yield the highest prices — especially when you include certification & provenance.
Don’t Do This
- Never clean or polish the coin — cleaning destroys collector value.
- Don’t sell raw (uncertified) examples as “verified” — get professional grading first.
- Avoid shady dealers or “guaranteed” buyouts without documentation.
Step 5 — If You Think You Found One
- Take high-resolution photos (obverse, reverse, close-ups of the tail feathers).
- Record a short video rotating the coin under bright light.
- Store it in a soft flip (no PVC) or coin capsule — no handling by bare fingers.
- Get a preliminary opinion from an error-coin specialist.
- If promising → submit to PCGS or NGC for authentication.
