Rare Sacagawea Dollar Coins from Space Sell for Over $500K

Seven rare Sacagawea dollar coins, which traveled to space aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, fetched over $500,000 at an online auction today. The sale prices for these unique coins ranged from $120,000 to $550,000. Officially designated as 2000-W Sacagawea dollars, these coins were struck from 22-karat gold in the late 1990s and have a storied history that includes nearly 2 million miles in orbit.

The coins were launched into space in July 1999 and have been stored at the Fort Knox Bullion Depository since their return. This auction marks the first time they have been made available for public acquisition. According to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), these space-flown coins rank fifth among the Top 100 Modern Coins.

Significance of the Sacagawea Dollar

The Sacagawea dollar was introduced to celebrate the Golden Dollar coins issued from 2000 to 2008 and to honor the first space shuttle flight commanded by a woman, retired United States Air Force Colonel Eileen Collins. Stack’s Bowers Galleries, the auction house handling the sale, noted that the coins feature a special reverse design known as “engraved tailfeathers,” which was only used on the first coins of the series.

According to Stack’s Bowers Galleries, of the original mintage of 39 pieces produced, only twelve were selected for flight aboard the Columbia. The remaining five coins from that flight will be permanently archived, making them inaccessible to collectors.

“We are extremely honored to once again present a historic selection of rarities on behalf of the United States Mint,” said Brian Kendrella, President of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “These space-flown 22 Karat gold Sacagawea dollars transcend any single collectible category and stand as true American treasures.”

The Artistic Legacy of Sacagawea

The circulating Sacagawea dollar coins feature a portrait of Sacagawea herself on the obverse side. Sacagawea was a young Shoshone woman who played a crucial role in the historic Lewis and Clark expedition from 1804 to 1806. Her portrait, created by artist Glenna Goodacre, depicts her looking directly at the viewer, a distinctive choice that adds to the coin’s appeal. Goodacre based her representation on Shoshone woman Randy’L He-dow Teton, capturing the large, expressive eyes that are a part of Shoshone legends. Sacagawea is also shown carrying her infant son, Jean Baptiste, emphasizing her role in both the expedition and as a mother.

The reverse side of the coin features a soaring eagle, encircled by 17 stars, representing each state in the Union at the time of the Lewis and Clark expedition. This combination of historical significance and artistic merit contributes to the ongoing interest in the Sacagawea dollar, particularly those coins with a unique provenance such as these space-flown examples.

The auction’s success underscores the enduring appeal of these coins, not only as collectibles but as pieces of American history, intertwining themes of exploration, representation, and innovation.