The rare Sacagawea Dollar, often referred to as the “Golden Dollar,” has become a centerpiece of modern American numismatics. While most are worth only their $1 face value, legendary minting errors and prototype designs have reached staggering prices, with some specimens selling for nearly $200,000.
🚨 Description: The Holy Grail of Golden Dollars
The “Sacagawea Mule” is widely considered the Holy Grail of U.S. Mint errors. This extraordinary mistake occurred at the Philadelphia Mint in 2000 when an obverse die for a Statehood Quarter was accidentally paired with the reverse die of a Sacagawea Dollar. These two designs were struck together on a standard gold-colored Sacagawea planchet, creating a coin that features George Washington’s portrait on the front and the soaring eagle on the back.
[Value] 💰
The rarity and demand for these unique errors drive their market prices into the six-figure range:
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2000-P Sacagawea/Quarter Mule: One specimen graded MS67 sold for $192,000 in 2018.
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2000-P Cheerios Dollar: Rare prototype strikes found in cereal boxes have sold for as much as $34,500.
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Wounded Eagle Variety: These die-error coins typically fetch between $50 and $5,000 depending on condition.
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2000-D Sacagawea/South Carolina Mule: A unique Denver-minted error discovered late, which sold for $66,000 in 2022.
[Call to Action] 📢
Check your “Golden Dollars” immediately! Most collectors dismiss these coins as common, but you could be holding a fortune. Look specifically at any 2000-P dollar in your collection. If you find one with Washington on the obverse or highly detailed tail feathers on the eagle, stop handling it and place it in a protective holder to preserve its condition.
📈 Market Value & Top Auction Houses
Elite modern rarities require professional platforms to reach record prices.
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Heritage Auctions: This house has handled the world-record sales for both the Quarter Mule and top-tier Cheerios dollars.
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Stack’s Bowers Galleries: One of the oldest and most respected houses, frequently featuring “Rarities Night” events for exceptional coins.
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GreatCollections: A leading online platform that has sold over 100 “Wounded Eagle” varieties in the past decade.
🔍 Look For
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The Mule: George Washington’s head on the front of a gold-colored coin.
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Wounded Eagle: Three distinct raised lines (die gouges) cutting across the eagle’s torso on the reverse.
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Cheerios Detail: Enhanced, sharp veins and a raised central shaft in the eagle’s tail feathers.
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Silver Color: A Sacagawea dollar struck on a Susan B. Anthony silver-colored planchet instead of the usual manganese-brass.
✅ Tips for Collectors
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Use Proper Light: Inspect coins under bright, natural light with at least a 10x magnification loupe to see fine details like feather veins.
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Condition Matters: Even the rarest coins lose significant value if they have heavy contact marks or “spotting” on the golden surface.
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Compare Next to a Standard Coin: Place a suspected error next to a common 2000-P dollar to see if the design elements or colors are truly different.
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Avoid Raw Purchases: For high-value errors like mules or Cheerios dollars, only buy coins already certified by PCGS or NGC.
🛡️ 4. 5-Step Authentication Protocol (Must Read!)
Follow these steps to ensure your find is authentic and not a cleverly altered fake:
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Weight Check: A standard Sacagawea dollar must weigh 8.1 grams. Unusual weights may indicate a “wrong planchet” error or a counterfeit.
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Magnetism Test: Neither the copper-core golden dollar nor the silver-colored nickel-clad error should stick to a magnet.
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Raised vs. Sunken Lines: For the “Wounded Eagle,” ensure the lines are raised on the coin’s surface; sunken lines are likely scratches or intentional tampering.
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Edge Inspection: Check for consistent edge lettering (on later issues) or a smooth, plain edge on 2000-P issues.
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Professional Certification: Because these coins are frequently faked, official grading from a third-party service like PCGS or NGC is mandatory for authentication and maximum value.
🔍 How to Check If Your Nickel Is Valuable
While hunting for dollars, keep an eye out for these rare Jefferson Nickels:
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1943-P Doubled Eye: Look for a second eyelid above Jefferson’s eye on wartime silver nickels.
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1942-D Over Horizontal D: A Denver mint mark punched over a sideways D.
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1950-D: The legendary low-mintage key date of the Jefferson series.
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Full Steps: Check the reverse of any high-grade nickel for five or six complete, horizontal lines on Monticello’s steps.
🏁 Conclusion & Final Thoughts
The Sacagawea dollar story is a reminder that “new” coins can hold as much value as century-old antiques. While millions were minted, the handful of human errors—mismatched dies and forgotten prototypes—represent some of the greatest modern treasures in American history.
Would you like me to find a local coin dealer or explain how to submit your coin for professional grading at PCGS or NGC?
