Sacagawea Dollar Mistaken : In the world of numismatics, chance discoveries and rare errors often lead to incredible stories. But few are as astonishing — or as life-changing — as the tale of a collector who unknowingly stumbled upon one of the rarest modern coins in circulation: a Sacagawea dollar mistakenly thought to be a common token. What started as a curious find ended with a six-figure payday and a permanent place in coin-collecting history.
A Coin That Didn’t Seem Right
It all began at a local flea market in the early 2000s. A casual collector — who had no idea he was about to hit the jackpot — came across what he believed was a cheap brass token mixed in with foreign and novelty coins. It was dull in appearance, lighter in weight than expected, and had an unusual finish.
He paid a single dollar for it.
Later, while sorting through his new finds, he noticed something familiar about the design. The reverse side featured a soaring eagle, and the obverse bore the image of Sacagawea, the Native American woman who guided the Lewis and Clark expedition. This was no token — it was a Sacagawea dollar, but something was very wrong… or rather, very rare.
Not Just Any Dollar
The coin turned out to be one of the infamous 2000 Sacagawea dollars struck on a 1999 Susan B. Anthony planchet — an extremely rare minting error caused when leftover blanks from the previous dollar coin series were accidentally fed into the presses.
Instead of being struck on the smooth, golden-colored manganese-brass planchets intended for the Sacagawea dollar, this coin had been minted on a silvery copper-nickel planchet, giving it a completely different appearance and finish.
Only a handful of these minting mistakes are known to exist.
From Pocket Change to Priceless
Once the coin’s unusual characteristics were confirmed by experts, it was authenticated and graded by a top-tier coin grading company. The final grade? Mint State (MS) 66, an extremely high-quality strike for such a rare error.
When it was brought to auction, the response was immediate and overwhelming. Bidding skyrocketed. By the time the gavel fell, the once-overlooked “token” had sold for $117,500.
For a coin purchased for one dollar at a flea market, the profit margin was almost too good to be true — and yet, entirely real.
Why It Mattered
This story made waves not just because of the money involved, but because it proved that even in modern coinage, errors and oddities can lead to major discoveries. The Sacagawea/Susan B. Anthony hybrid was a reminder of how complex the minting process can be — and how mistakes can produce numismatic treasures.
What Collectors Should Look For
This case sparked new interest in Sacagawea dollars, prompting collectors to re-examine coins they once dismissed. Here’s what to keep an eye out for:
- Unusual color or metal composition (e.g., silver-colored instead of golden)
- Incorrect planchet weight or feel
- Sharp details with unusual finishes or edge inscriptions
- Wrong planchet errors — especially from transitional years like 1999–2000
Any of these traits could indicate a rare and valuable error coin.
The Takeaway
A coin once mistaken for a worthless token turned out to be a six-figure treasure — a powerful reminder that in coin collecting, surprises can happen to anyone, anywhere.
So the next time you sort through change, visit a flea market, or browse an estate sale, pay close attention. What looks like a token might just change your life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs..)
Q1: What exactly was the rare Sacagawea dollar mentioned in the story?
A: The coin was a 2000 Sacagawea dollar mistakenly struck on a 1999 Susan B. Anthony dollar planchet. This type of mint error is incredibly rare and caused the coin to have the wrong metal composition and appearance — making it look more like a token than legal tender.
Q2: How did the collector find it?
A: The collector found it at a flea market, mixed in with a group of foreign and novelty coins. He purchased it for just $1, believing it to be a brass or silver-colored token.
Q3: Why did it look like a token?
A: The coin was struck on a silver-colored copper-nickel planchet, which is what the U.S. Mint used for the Susan B. Anthony dollars. Sacagawea dollars were supposed to have a golden appearance from their manganese-brass alloy, so this error coin looked completely out of place.
Q4: What made the coin valuable?
A: Its value came from being an extremely rare mint error. Only a few Sacagawea dollars struck on Susan B. Anthony planchets are known to exist. Additionally, the coin was found in Mint State (MS) 66 condition, making it especially desirable to collectors.
