2009 Native American Dollar
The 2009 Native American Dollar was the first design of the new series, which will feature rotating reverse designs honoring the contributions and accomplishments of Native Americans. The design was first unveiled by the United States mint on November 28, 2008 to coincide with Native American Heritage Day.
The reverse design features a Native American woman planting seeds in a field. This is representative of the "Three Sisters" method of planting, which includes corn, beans, and squash. By growing the three plants together in the same mound, the productivity of each plant was enhanced. The reverse was designed by US Mint Sculptor-Engraver Norman E. Nemeth.
With the unveiling of the new design Director of the US Mint, Edmund Moy remarked,"We are proud to produce the Native American $1 Coin. When Americans use this coin, we hope they reflect on the tremendous contributions Native Americans have made, and continue to make, to our Nation."
The obverse of the coin is the prior Sacagawea portrait designed by Glenna Goodacre. The design was slightly modified by moving the date and mint mark to the edge of the coin. The motto "E Pluribus Unum" additionally appears on the edge of the coin.
The 2009 Native American Dollar was released into circulation on January 2, 2009. A ceremony was held at the National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian Institution on January 17, 2009. The festivities included a ceremonial pour of new coins by the Director of the United States Mint from an authentic hand crafted Native American basket. Newly minted coins were given to children who attended the ceremony.
In addition to circulation strike coins produced at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, collectible proof versions of the coin were produced at the San Francisco Mint. The Proof Native American Dollars were included in the US Mint's annual proof and silver proof sets.
Native American Dollar Coin Specifications and Mintage
- Designers: Glenna Goodacre (obverse), Norman E. Nemeth (reverse)
- Mintage: To Be Determined
- Composition: 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, 2% nickel
- Diameter: 26.5 mm
- Weight: 8.1g
- Thickness: 2.0 mm
- Edge: Lettered
