What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.): This is another very rare variety of the 2000 P Sacagawea Dollar - known as the "Cheerios Dollar". The story behind this coin is one of the most interesting of all US coin discoveries.
In late 1999 and early 2000 - The US Mint was working with businesses such as Walmart and Sam's Club to help promote and distribute the new 2000 "golden" Sacagawea Dollar coins. The General Mills cereal company also began participating in the program by putting a year 2000 Sacagawea dollar in 1 of every 2000 boxes of Cheerios cereal.
Numismatist Tom DeLorey examined one of the examples of the new Sacagawea coin in Fall of 1999 before the general release of the coin. He noticed what he thought was only 12 tail feathers on the eagle on this the example coin and also noticed that the coins for general circulation looked like they had 13 tail feathers on the eagle. Years later in 2005 - the designer of the reverse of the coin (Tom Rogers) explained that the eagle always had 12 feathers but the appearance of the feathers were changed slightly. In fact - It turns out that the earlier coins from 1999 were actually pattern coins which had more highly detailed tail feathers!
Tom Delorey had a theory that General Mills needed to have these Sacagawea coins early in Fall of 1999 so that the coins could be placed in special holders and put in Cheerios cereal boxes so they could be distributed to grocery stores early in 2000. This would make perfect sense due to the fact that the US Mint would have had to use the 1999 pattern design to produce those coins early before the design changed. As it turns out - most (if not all) 2000 Sacagawea Dollars that were placed in cereal boxes are actually all pattern coins - now known as "Cheerios Dollars" - with the boldly detailed tail feathers!
It's very likely that people found these coins in their cereal and they either went directly into circulation or they were tossed into a "souvenir" drawer or trinket box at home! These coins are worth hundreds of dollars in uncirculated condition. If the coin is still in original packaging or well taken care of - It is highly recommend that these coins be sent to a professional grading service. High grade coins in MS-67 or MS-68 grade are worth $10000 up to over $30000 each! It is estimated that only 5500 of these coins exists but no one knows for sure.
Depicted below is an example closeup image comparing the difference between the Sacagawea normal dollar vs cheerios dollar:
Coin Value Chart: Typical Coin Prices, Values and Worth in USD based on Grade/Condition
It goes without saying that a mintage that large doesn't leave any room for these coins to ever really be rare. Loose 2000-P Sacagawea coins are still just worth a dollar. However, an original roll of 20 coins usually sells for around $30.
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of July 2024, a Sacagawea Coin from 2000 in circulated condition is worth between $1.05 and $1.35. However, on the open market 2000 D Dollars in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $100.
Rarity. Some years and mint marks are more scarce than others. This makes them highly sought after by collectors. For example, certain variations like the 2000-P Cheerios Dollar have become incredibly rare due to their limited production run and special design.
The 2000 Sacagawea dollar – Washington quarter mule is an error coin featuring the obverse of a Washington quarter (specifically a 50 State quarter) and the reverse of a Sacagawea dollar struck on a gold-colored dollar coin planchet.
The 1870-CC mint mark is especially notable for several coins: 1870-CC Liberty Seated Dollar: This coin is one of the rarest, with only 11,758 pieces minted. In high grades, it can fetch upwards of several hundred thousand dollars.
By GovMint : The Cheerios Sacagawea coin is distinguishable by its unique, more pronounced tail feathers on the eagle's design compared to the standard Sacagawea dollar.
After about 2008 for reasons best known to themselves the US mint removed the date from its usual place on the front of the coin. The mark showing which particular location it was mint was removed too - but you can still probably find both the date and mint mark if you look carefully at the edge of the coin.
The coin's physical makeup is a three-layer clad construction - pure copper sandwiched between outer layers of manganese brass. Like any brass, its color eventually becomes darker, giving the coins an antique finish.
The 1933 Double Eagle is the most valuable U.S. gold coin and the most valuable coin in history. Having sold for $18,900,000 in 2021, the 1933 Double Eagle is the most valuable gold coin in the world. Minted during the Great Depression, there are only thirteen 1933 Double Eagle coins known to exist.
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