2000-D Sacagawea Dollar Errors
A 2000-D Sacagawea dollar with a mule error has been authenticated by Professional Coin Grading Service. It is the only example of such an error that is known to have been struck. A mule is a coin that is struck with the same obverse and reverse dies, but in the wrong order. The reverse die was meant for striking quarter dollars and was mistakenly combined with the obverse die for a Sacagawea dollar.
This type of error was discovered in 1999, when noted numismatist Tom DeLorey studied the Chicago test strikings of the Sacagawea dollar. The reverse of the coin had a pair of tail feathers, but Tom DeLorey incorrectly called them “12 Tail Feathers.” The numismatic community corrected the error and the Sacagawea dollar’s reverse design now features 13 tail feathers, the correct number of tail feathers.
This error is so rare that it is not a major problem in most coins. Moreover, this type of coin has edge lettering. Therefore, if you’re interested in buying one, you should send it to a third-party grading service so that it can authenticate and certify it.
A 2000-D Sacagawea dollar error can be a valuable addition to your collection. You can find them for sale online, but be sure to check them out before you buy. Some of them are worth over $200,000. While this error might not seem like a major problem, it’s still worth looking for.
Another error with the 2000-P Sacagawea dollar is a variation in the tail feathers. The reverse of the coin displays the eagle with an enhanced tail feather. The “Cheerios” dollar, on the other hand, has a more traditional eagle.
The Mint met with Native American representatives and historians to resolve the error, and the decision to use the name “Sacagawea” was made after consulting with the tribe. Furthermore, the Mint consultants also looked into the issue of carrying Sacagawea’s baby, and concluded that it was reasonable to assume she carried it in the Hidatsa tradition.
If you are looking for a Sacagawea Dollar that is more valuable than its face value, be sure to get it graded by PCGS or NGC. Lesser-graded specimens are not worth submitting to a grading service, but it is worth the effort if you find a mark-free specimen.
