Sacagawea Dollars (2000-Date)

As America’s first small-sized “golden” dollar series, the Sacagawea dollar honors the Shoshone woman who guided the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806. Issued from 2000-2008, the Sacagawea dollar series (struck in a composition of copper, zinc, manganese and nickel) featured the young woman on the obverse with a soaring eagle reverse.

In 2009, the Sacagawea dollar was replaced by the Native American dollar series. These coins display the same composition (and obverse motif) as the

Sacagawea dollars

. However, this new series features annually-changing reverse designs honoring Native American contributions. Also in 2009, the date of issue, mint mark, and motto e pluribus unum were moved to the edge of the coins.