The 2023 Sacagawea (Native American) Dollar (Buy on eBay) showcases Maria Tallchief, who is considered America’s first major prima ballerina and was the first Native American to hold the rank. Tallchief and four other Native American ballerinas from Oklahoma were known as the “Five Moons,” achieving international recognition, and their legacy continues to influence ballet today. Tallchief is also featured on the 2023 Maria Tallchief Quarter as part of the American Women Quarter series.
Retaining Glenna Goodacre’s original design, the obverse features the central figure of Sacagawea carrying her infant son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, on her back with the inscriptions “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
The reverse inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” MARIA TALLCHIEF,” and “AMERICAN INDIANS IN BALLET” surround Maria Tallchief in a balletic pose, with four other ballerinas in a variety of poses and a lunar motif behind her. The four ballerinas symbolize Tallchief’s American Indian ballerina contemporaries as well as the generations of dancers they inspired, while the lunar motif is a nod to the “Five Moons.”
On February 6, 2023, the U.S. Mint began selling 25-coin rolls, 50-coin bags, and 250-coin boxes for the 2023 Native American Dollar. The coins were struck at the Denver Mint or Philadelphia Mint, featuring their respective mint marks. The coins were also struck with a circulating finish. However, the coins were not included in general circulation and were sold directly to collectors.
The 2023-S Proof Native American Dollar was also crafted at the prestigious San Francisco Mint, showcasing a mirror-like finish, and were featured as part of the annual sets released by the U.S. Mint.
2023 Sacagawea (Native American) Dollar Artists
- Obverse Designer: Glenna Goodacre
- Reverse Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill (Medallic Artist)
- Reverse Designer: Benjamin Sowards (Artistic Infusion Program)
2023 Sacagawea (Native American) Dollar Mintages
- 2023-P: 1,120,000
- 2023-D: 1,120,000
- 2023-S Proof: 404,759
Mintage numbers based on U.S. Mint sales figures as of September 11, 2023
< 2022 Sacagawea (Native American) Dollar
