The Native American $1 Coin Program is one of the most historically significant modern coin series produced by the United States Mint. Authorized by the Native American $1 Coin Act of 2007, the program began in 2009 and honors the important contributions of Native American tribes and individuals to the development of the United States. Unlike most circulating coin series, the reverse design changes every year, allowing the Mint to tell a new story with each issue.

Each coin features the familiar portrait of Sacagawea carrying her son Jean Baptiste on the obverse, while a new reverse design highlights Native American achievements in agriculture, government, diplomacy, military service, science, education, and culture.

For collectors, the series offers a unique opportunity to build a historical collection that continues to grow in popularity. Since every design issued through 2025 is readily available on the secondary market.

History of the Native American Dollar Program

The program replaced the static reverse design used on the Sacagawea Dollar from 2000 through 2008. Beginning in 2009, Congress directed the U.S. Mint to create annually changing reverse designs recognizing Native American contributions throughout American history. Although originally intended for circulation, Native American Dollars are now primarily produced for collectors in rolls, bags, boxes, proof sets, and mint sets. Most examples encountered today come directly from collectors rather than everyday commerce.

Every Native American Dollar Coin by Year

2009 – Three Sisters Agriculture

The 2009 Native American Three Sisters Agriculture dollar celebrates the important role of Native American farming traditions. Its reverse depicts a Native American woman planting corn, beans, and squash—the “Three Sisters.” These companion crops support one another’s growth, symbolizing sustainability, environmental stewardship, cooperation, and agricultural knowledge passed through generations of Indigenous communities.

Collecting Advice: As the first coin in the series, many collectors consider this a key date and often purchase uncirculated examples.

2010 – Government and the Great Tree of Peace

2011 – Diplomacy: Wampum Belt Treaties

The 2011 Native American dollar coin honors the Wampanoag Treaty of 1621 and the importance of wampum belts in Native diplomacy. The reverse depicts hands holding a wampum belt, symbolizing agreements, trust, and communication among Native nations and colonial governments. The design recognizes traditions of peace, cooperation, negotiation, and the preservation of historical records through meaningful cultural symbols.

2012 – Trade Routes

The Native American Trade Routes coin honors the extensive trade networks that connected Indigenous peoples across North America. Its reverse depicts a Native American beside a horse, with additional horses in the background, symbolizing the spread of horses through intertribal commerce. The design recognizes Native innovation, economic exchange, transportation, cultural connections, and the vital role trade routes played in shaping exploration and development.

2013 – Treaty with the Delawares of 1778

The 2013 Native American dollar coin commemorates the Treaty with the Delawares of 1778, the first formal treaty between the United States and a Native American tribe. Its reverse features a turkey, howling wolf, and turtle—symbols of Delaware clans—along with thirteen stars representing the original colonies. The design honors diplomacy, sovereignty, cooperation, and Native contributions to early American history

2014 – Native Hospitality and the Lewis & Clark Expedition

The 2014 Native American dollar coin honors the hospitality and support Native American tribes provided to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Its reverse depicts a Native American man offering a pipe and a woman providing fish, maize, roots, and gourds. The design recognizes Native generosity, guidance, diplomacy, and essential contributions that helped the expedition successfully travel through unfamiliar western territories.

2015 – Mohawk Ironworkers

The 2015 Native American dollar coin honors the Mohawk ironworkers of the Kahnawake and Akwesasne communities, whose skill and courage helped build New York City’s iconic skyscrapers and bridges. The reverse depicts a Mohawk ironworker reaching for a swinging I-beam, with a city skyline in the background. The design celebrates craftsmanship, bravery, tradition, and Native contributions to modern construction and engineering.

2016 – Native American Code Talkers

The 2016 Native American dollar coin honors the Native American Code Talkers who used their tribal languages to create unbreakable military communications during World War I and World War II. The reverse features two military helmets and feathers forming a “V” for victory. The design recognizes patriotism, courage, innovation, and the vital contributions of Native Americans to the nation’s wartime success

2017 – Sequoyah and the Cherokee Syllabary

The 2017 Native American dollar coin honors Sequoyah, creator of the Cherokee syllabary, one of the few original writing systems developed in world history. The reverse depicts Sequoyah writing in Cherokee characters, symbolizing literacy, communication, and cultural preservation. The design celebrates his remarkable achievement, which enabled thousands of Cherokee people to read and write, strengthening education, journalism, and tribal identity.

2018 – Jim Thorpe

The 2018 Native American dollar coin honors Jim Thorpe, a member of the Sac and Fox Nation and one of the greatest athletes in American history. The reverse depicts Thorpe alongside symbols of his football and Olympic accomplishments. Known as Wa-Tho-Huk, meaning “Bright Path,” Thorpe excelled in multiple sports and became a national icon. The design celebrates athletic excellence, perseverance, leadership, and Native American achievement.

2019 – American Indians in the Space Program

The 2019 Native American dollar coin honors American Indians in the U.S. space program. The reverse features Cherokee engineer Mary Golda Ross performing calculations, an Atlas-Agena rocket launching into space, and an astronaut representing Native American space explorers, including John Herrington. The design celebrates innovation, scientific achievement, exploration, and the significant contributions of Native Americans to aerospace engineering and spaceflight

2020 – Elizabeth Peratrovich

The 2020 Native American dollar coin honors Elizabeth Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights leader whose advocacy helped secure Alaska’s landmark Anti-Discrimination Law of 1945, the first law of its kind in the United States. The reverse features her portrait and a Tlingit Raven symbol. The design celebrates equality, courage, leadership, and her enduring impact on civil rights and social justice.

2021 – Native American Military Service

The 2021 Native American dollar coin honors the distinguished military service of Native Americans in every U.S. conflict since the Revolutionary War. The reverse features eagle feathers, traditionally earned through acts of bravery, and five stars representing the branches of the U.S. military. The design recognizes courage, sacrifice, patriotism, and the enduring warrior traditions of Native Americans who have served their nation with honor.

2022 – Ely S. Parker

The 2022 Native American dollar coin honors Ely S. Parker, a Tonawanda Seneca leader, engineer, diplomat, and Union Army officer who served as General Ulysses S. Grant’s military secretary during the Civil War. The reverse depicts Parker in uniform with a quill pen, book, and signature, symbolizing communication and leadership. The design celebrates service, diplomacy, achievement, and Native American contributions to American history.

2023 – Maria Tallchief

The 2023 Native American dollar coin honors Maria Tallchief, a member of the Osage Nation and America’s first major prima ballerina. The reverse depicts Tallchief in a graceful ballet pose, with additional dancers and a lunar motif recognizing the celebrated “Five Moons” Native American ballerinas. The design celebrates artistic excellence, cultural heritage, perseverance, and the lasting influence of Native Americans in the world of ballet.  Maria Tallchief is also featured in 2023 with a quarter in the American Women series.

American Women Coins: The Complete Guide to the U.S. Women Quarters Program

2024 – Indian Citizenship Act of 1924

The 2024 Native American dollar coin commemorates the centennial of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, which granted U.S. citizenship to Native Americans while allowing them to retain their tribal citizenship and identity. The reverse features an eagle staff and American flag, symbolizing respect, honor, patriotism, and dual citizenship. The design celebrates civil rights, cultural preservation, and Native Americans’ enduring contributions to the nation.

2025 – Mary Kawena Pukui

The 2025 Native American dollar coin honors Mary Kawena Pukui, a renowned Native Hawaiian scholar, author, educator, translator, and cultural preservationist. The reverse depicts Pukui wearing traditional Hawaiian attire, accompanied by symbols of Hawaiian knowledge and heritage. Inscribed with “Nānā I Ke Kumu” (“Look to the Source”), the design celebrates her lifelong dedication to preserving language, customs, values, and traditions for future generations.

The 2026 Native American dollar coin honors Polly Cooper and the Oneida Nation’s crucial support of the Continental Army during the winter at Valley Forge. The reverse depicts Polly Cooper presenting the Oneidas’ gift of corn to General George Washington. The design celebrates generosity, courage, sacrifice, and the vital role the Oneida people played as early allies in America’s struggle for independence.