Sacagawea / Native American $1 Will Be Available at FACE VALUE on January 2

[astrostu]

From the US Mint Press Release:

 

Consumers, financial institutions and businesses can order new 2009 Native American $1 Coins directly from the United States Mint through its Direct Ship Program beginning at noon Eastern Time, on January 2, 2009. The new circulating $1 coins will be available at face value on the United States Mint secure Web site, www.usmint.gov. Telephone orders also will be accepted at the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

 

"By ordering through our Direct Ship Program, businesses and consumers have the convenience and flexibility of purchasing manageable quantities of circulating $1 coins at face value," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.

 

Like circulating Presidential $1 Coins, the United States Mint will offer the new circulating Native American $1 Coins in 25-coin rolls packaged in quantities of 10 rolls per box with a face value of $250. The coins will not be separated by mint mark. Customers may order a maximum of two boxes, for a total of 500 Native American $1 Coins. The United States Mint will pay the shipping and handling fees on orders delivered via standard shipping methods. Shipping and handling fees on orders requiring special handling (e.g., shipping upgrades) will be billed to the customer. All sales through the Direct Ship Program are final.

 

The reverse of the Native American $1 Coin will feature a new design each year. The reverse of the 2009-dated coin, designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Norman E. Nemeth, is based on an agricultural theme. The design depicts a Native American woman planting seeds in a field of corn, beans and squash, representing the Three Sisters method of planting. Inscriptions on the reverse are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and $1.

 

The obverse (heads side) of the Native American $1 Coin, by sculptor Glenna Goodacre, will feature the Golden Dollar's striking image of Sacagawea, the young Shoshone woman who accompanied Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their historic expedition.

 

I've been doing this with the Prezzie Fun Bucks for the last few releases, and they've all been P so far (van Buren hasn't been posted), which is nice since I live less than an hour from the Denver mint and can get D ones from local banks. I keep 2 rolls' worth and spend the rest, so I'm hoping that maybe I'll also be able to now get D of these from the bank ... though I'm holding out less hope of that.

 

If nothing else, then at least we're starting to see the release dates for 2009 coins.

[World Colonial]

I pay no attention to these coins and have no clue where in the list we are now. The only specimen I have is the one NGC gave me for renewal of my Collectors Society membership and to me, it more closely resembles a toy coin than a real one. And the only reason I have not bothered to sell it on eBay is because when I did so for the proof SQ they gave me last year, it sold for a whopping $4.50 which was a waste of my time. But at least it is in the Edge View holder which gives it a different look.

 

I also presume (which would be another example of my complete cluelessness with these coins) that the Mint was offerring and actually expecting people to pay a premium for these. I know they do this for roll sales occasionally (or maybe often or always now) but it completely baffles me why anyone would pay a dime over face value for them. Is it that some collectors just cannot wait to get them from a bank a little later?

[astrostu]

Well, if you don't like the coin, don't collect it.

 

FYI: The Sacagawea dollar is not a "list" series, but Congress has now altered it into the new "Native American" series starting next year. I actually like the Sacagawea design, and I seem to recall that, in general, collector response to the design was favorable, especially the reverse (which unfortunately is getting axed for this new series). The Mint, as with the state quarters, Kennedy half dollars, and Sacagawea dollars for the past 10, 7, and 7 years have been offering the coins to the public at a premium. The latter two were NOT released into general circulation, so the only way to get them was through the mint and to pay their premium.

 

With the Presidential dollars they were doing the same thing until the middle of this year where they started to offer their "direct ship" program of $250 worth for face value at no shipping cost (so you can spend them after picking what you want with no guilt). For those of us who like the design, want a year set for the "cheapest" price, and couldn't get them at the bank because they weren't released into the Federal Reserve system, that was the only option.

 

I realize you may have been in a bad mood, but your condescending tone is fairly insulting to anyone who actually does like this particular design.

[TJ'S Coins]

It is good news that these will be available at financial institutions at no additional cost.. I wish that the dollar coins and half dollars actually circulated and were used in daily commerce.

[World Colonial]

I have no idea what you are even talking about and no, I was not in a bad mood. And no, I was not trying to insult anyone. I was wondering why anyone would pay more than face value for what I considered to be a circulting coin but now you have answered my question.

[bsshog40]

If I'm not mistaken these should also be in the annual mint sets also right?